Inventions of Ancient Egypt
The Egyptian empires of the first through third millennia B.C. eclipsed the accomplishments of all previous civilizations, using extensive learning, creativity and power to influence civilizations for centuries to come. Best remembered today for towering monuments and the vast wealth of the pharaohs, the people of ancient Egypt also invented everyday items that are still in use, including combs, toothpaste and wigs.
Construction
Not surprising among a people who built the pyramids, the Sphinx, and massive irrigation projects, the Egyptians excelled at inventing construction materials. They created cement from clay and gypsum, and bronze from tin and copper. They invented copper pipes, similar to modern plumbing, to transport water. The ancient Egyptians also made use of the surrounding desert sand to create glass, though this was primarily used for jewelry and decorative trinkets.
Communication
The word "paper" comes from papyrus, a reed plant that grows along the banks of the Nile River. The Egyptians cut it into strips, soaked it to remove the sugar, and then pounded it dry before weaving the pieces together to make paper. They primarily wrote on papyrus manuscripts using black ink, in contemporary fashion, although documents were frequently decorated using dyes of many other colors. The Egyptians were the first to use carrier pigeons to send messages over great distances.
Time
Famous for the sundial, the Egyptians also invented the first water clocks. These were small clay pots that dripped water at a constant rate, making it easy to keep track of time. Water clocks remained the predominant timekeepers until mechanical clocks were invented in the 13th century A.D. The Egyptians also used the first 365-day calendar, and even knew that a year is 365 1/4 days. Priests kept this secret from the people, adjusting the calendar as needed after communicating with the gods, thus ensuring the priests' power.
Medicine
Mummification gave Egyptian physicians in-depth knowledge of the human body, allowing them to name and describe the functions of many internal organs. They invented simple surgical tools, including pincers, forceps and various saws. One surprising advance that developed from mummification was the curing of meat, which the Egyptians did using natron, or sodium bicarbonate. They also treated diabetes with a very contemporary-style low-carbohydrate diet.
Agriculture
The Egyptians built the first ox-drawn plow, which was hooked to the animal's horns and eventually to the shoulders. Ox-drawn plows are still in use in parts of the world where fuel-powered tractors are not readily available.
Culutural Institutions
The ancient Egyptians wielded considerable political and religious influence. The first known peace treaty was signed between Ramses II and the Hittite king Hattusili III in 1258 B.C. The first labor strike, led by artisans and day laborers, was against his successor, Ramses III, over shortages in grain payments while building his pyramid and other structures. Pharaoh Akhenaten established the first monotheistic religion sometime after 1351 B.C., though it fell into disfavor after his death.
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