In Egypt, you can hear the proverb: “Everything is afraid of time, but time is afraid of the pyramids ...” However, not only the construction of tombs and worship of the gods, the ancient Egyptians are known. Among their inventions are called cane feathers, papyrus paper, and many other equally useful things.
1. Eye makeup (eye shadow and eyeliner). 4000 BC e.
The ancient Egyptians were very proud of their appearance and sought to emphasize it with makeup. They were the first to popularize eye shadow and eyeliner. The earliest makeup palettes date back to 5000 BC. e. The most common colors are green (from malachite, green copper carbonate) and black (galena, lead ore).
2. Reed paper. 3000 BC e.
Among the ancient civilizations, the Egyptians began to use papyrus earlier than anyone else - thin paper made from reeds growing along the banks of the Nile. By 1000 AD e. it was exported from Egypt to Western Asia because it was much more convenient than clay tablets. The inscriptions on the paper were applied with a cane pen filled with ink.
3. The writing system (pictograms). 3200 BC e.
Egyptian writing began with pictograms, the first of which dates back to 6000 BC. e. They were simple descriptions of words, over time, other elements were added. Among them are alphabetic characters that denoted individual sounds and images, which allowed us to record names and abstract concepts.
4. Reed feather and black ink. 3200 BC e.
Few people know the name of the reed feather used in calligraphy. Kalam is a writing instrument invented by the Egyptians. Excavations in the tomb of Tutankhamun brought an unexpected find - a copper pen, inside which was a reed filled with ink. It is considered the first ancient reed feather. Ink was obtained by blasting soot, vegetable resins, or other glue-like substances in water.
5. Plow harnessed by bulls. 2500 BC e.
On the banks of the Nile, thanks to silty soil, very fertile lands were located. They were used for agricultural purposes. Creating a plow pulled by bulls made it easier to grow crops such as wheat and vegetables.
6. Peppermint Candies
The condition of the teeth of the ancient Egyptians left much to be desired, studies of mummies testify to this. In order to interrupt the smell, mint tablets were created. They included cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh and honey.
7. Clock
To determine the time, the Egyptians created two types of watches. The obelisks served as a sundial, showing the movement of the shadow throughout the day. That is how the longest and shortest days of the year were discovered.
About the second, water clock, it is known thanks to the inscription on the grave of the judicial officer Amenemkhet, dating from the 16th century BC. e. They consisted of a stone vessel with a tiny hole at the bottom, which allowed water to drip at a constant rate. Time was marked by notches marked at different levels. The priest of the temple in Karnak at night determined the time for rituals by them.
8. Bowling
In Narmuteos, a settlement 90 kilometers south of Cairo, archaeologists have discovered a bowling room. There were balls of different sizes and a set of tracks. Unlike modern bowling, Egyptians aimed at a square hole in the middle. Opponents stood at opposite ends of the track, their goal was to hit the ball in the hole. In the process, they tried to get the enemy ball out of the way.
9. Toothbrush and toothpaste. 5000 BC e.
As mentioned earlier, the Egyptians had problems with their teeth because their bread contained sand, which severely damaged enamel. Archaeologists have found a toothpaste recipe written in papyrus. An unknown author explains the process of creating a “powder for white and perfect teeth” from mint, rock salt, pepper grains and dried iris flowers.
10. Wig
Artificial hair in ancient Egypt was used by both men and women. Many shaved their heads baldly to prevent the appearance of lice, and those who could afford it wore wigs. Made in different styles and scented with beeswax, they were made from human hair, and later from the fibers of a date palm.
11. Surgical Instruments
The Edwin Smith Papyrus shows that it was the Egyptians who invented surgery. He describes 48 surgical treatments for head, neck, sternum, and shoulder injuries.
It contains a list of tools used during operations, including tampons, dressings, adhesive plasters and more. The Cairo Museum exhibits surgical instruments: scalpels, scissors, copper needles, lancets, probes, forceps and many others.