38 Historical Facts about Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating civilizations in history. It was the birthplace of a great many inventions and discoveries that shaped the world as we know it today. From its incredible monuments to its mysterious gods and goddesses, ancient Egypt has long captivated the imaginations of people around the world. In this article, we explore 38 facts about ancient Egypt that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of this remarkable civilization.

1. Mammoths roamed the earth when the Ancient Egyptians were constructing their pyramids, however, their species disappeared around 4000 years ago. The Egyptian kingdom emerged around 6000 years ago.
2. After a thousand years of existence, the Ancient Egyptian civilization was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century CE and eventually disappeared.
3. Cosmetics have been around since ancient Egypt and both men and women used them. Their primary purpose was to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, unlike today where cosmetics are mostly used for beautification. They are still popular among modern Egyptians as well.
4. Children until their teens in ancient Egypt usually wore no clothes and their hair was shaved off to protect them from lice and fleas, leaving only a braid.
5. In Ancient Egypt, women were not socially inferior to men and in fact, held the same legal rights as them. However, it was common practice for them to stay home and take care of the family while men went out to work. Despite this societal convention, women could still challenge the status quo thanks to their equal rights under the law.
6. Marriage contracts were first invented in ancient Egypt to clearly establish the distribution of property between spouses should a divorce take place. This was the earliest such example of this kind of document in world history.
7. The Nile River had a significant influence on the creation and growth of Ancient Egypt. It provided essential resources such as food, transportation, and irrigation, allowing the civilization to thrive in this region.
8. Egyptology is a field of study devoted to the history, culture, and language of ancient Egypt. It is a distinct branch of scholarship that deals with these areas of research.
9. Contrary to popular belief, the renowned Egyptian pyramids were constructed by experienced, paid laborers and not slaves.
10. Instead of using feathers as a stuffing material for pillows, in ancient Egypt, stones were used.
11. The ancient Egyptian term “pharaoh” is literally translated as “great house,” making it the royal title of Egyptian kings and queens.
12. Cleopatra, the renowned ruler of Ancient Egypt, was not a native Egyptian – she had her roots in Macedonia, an area located in today’s Greece. She was of Greek descent.
13. Egyptian nobles, inspired by their pharaohs, kept their hair hidden from outsiders as a sign of prestige. This was a common practice among the nobility in those times.
14. Board games have been around since ancient Egypt, with some of them still being enjoyed in the modern era. For example a Senet game. The Egyptians regarded them highly and used them as part of their culture.
15. Egyptians had a great reverence for God Osiris and often mimicked His appearance, including facial features. The Pharaohs wore false beards made of gold to emulate Him, as He was portrayed as having a beard.
16. To reduce the chances of other members of the royal family competing for the throne, many Egyptian rulers practiced intermarrying with their siblings during antiquity.
17. In ancient Egyptian culture, men wore skirts while women usually donned dresses. Pants were not seen as a suitable option due to the hot climate conditions.
18. Ancient Egyptians were the first to utilize a police force to maintain order. They used servants as monitors and domesticated animals such as dogs and monkeys as patrol guards.
19. The ancient Egyptians had guessed about the usefulness of penicillin in fighting infections 4,000 years before the invention of antibiotics. They used certain types of molds as medicine.
20. The oldest pyramid in ancient Egypt is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, constructed approximately 4,600 years ago. The most renowned and well-known one is the Great Pyramid of Cheops.
21. Ancient Egyptians are credited with inventing spoked wheels, now being used in a variety of vehicles.
22. For the first time in history, people of Ancient Egypt began to wear wedding rings on the ring finger. Later this custom was adopted by the Romans and Greeks.
23. The Ancient Egyptians traced their lineage through their maternal line.
24. Ancient Egyptians held a strong belief that it was disrespectful to enter someone else’s house with their shoes on and this extended to their own homes. Taking off one’s shoes before entering was a sign of reverence and respect.
25. The Egyptians actively used carrier pigeons to deliver correspondence.
26. An ancient Egyptian text believed to be written by one of Pharaoh Khafre’s sons is considered to be the oldest piece of literature in existence. It dates back to over 4,600 years ago.
27. The Egyptians never celebrated birthdays but they did mark important milestones in their lives.
28. Medicine, especially surgery, was very well developed in ancient Egypt. However, there were no general practitioners – each of them had a narrow specialization.
29. Ancient Egyptians had a complex system of mathematics that included the use of fractions, geometry, and measurements of time.
30. The famous Library of Alexandria was the place where the most famous scientists studied – Archimedes, Aristotle, Ptolemy, and Euclid. Unfortunately, it was burned after the Arab conquest of Egypt.
31. The Egyptians integrated three types of calendars into their daily lives: the lunar calendar, the astronomical calendar, and the agricultural calendar based on the annual floods of the Nile.
32. In ancient Egypt, bread was very widespread.
33. The ancient Egyptians were the first to create beer, a drink that has become popular and widely consumed around the world.
34. Over 5,000 years ago, the Ancient Egyptians developed a skill for writing with hieroglyphs. This was a groundbreaking achievement at the time and has been used ever since.
35. Concrete, heeled shoes, combs, soap and tooth powder were invented in ancient Egypt.
36. Ramses II was the most famous pharaoh from Ancient Egypt, living to the ripe age of 90. During his lengthy reign of 70 years, he fathered a huge progeny of over 100 kids.
37. Amongst the Seven Wonders of the World, only the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt have stood the test of time and are still standing today.
38. Of all the pharaohs, Pepi II had the longest reign, ruling for 88 years.

Sources:

1. Britannica – Ancient Egypt
2. History – Ancient Egypt
3. Ducksters – Ancient Egypt for Kids