As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Ancient Egypt has captured the imaginations of historians, archaeologists, and laypeople alike since its first emergence in the Nile Valley thousands of years ago.
Despite its age, Ancient Egypt still continues to surprise us with new discoveries being made all the time.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the more fascinating facts that have come to light about this ancient civilization.
From amusing ancient customs to incredible engineering feats, here are 10 fascinating facts you never knew about Ancient Egypt.
Fact #1: Ancient Egyptians were the first to create a form of writing called hieroglyphics.
The Ancient Egyptians are credited with being the first to create a form of writing known as hieroglyphics.
This system of writing is developed as a form of communication in approximately 3200 BC and is believed to be the oldest form of writing in the world.
Hieroglyphics are composed of characters which represent words, syllables, or concepts.
The Egyptians used hieroglyphics to record tales of their deities, historic events, and to keep track of financials.
In addition, the Ancient Egyptians developed the first complete system of mathematics and astronomy, further demonstrating their advanced knowledge and understanding of the world.
Overall, the Ancient Egyptians were not only ahead of their time in terms of written communication, but also in terms of understanding of the world and its natural elements.
Fact #2: The Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death, and took great care to prepare for it. They built elaborate tombs and mummies for the afterlife.
The Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death and as such, took great care to prepare for it.
Mummification and the construction of elaborate tombs were two primary methods used to prepare for the afterlife.
The Ancient Egyptians believed that preserving the body would assist the deceased in achieving a successful afterlife.
They also built elaborate tombs to house the deceased and their belongings, to signify the deceased’s role and rank in society, and to safeguard their possessions from grave robbers.
These tombs contained various artifacts such as jewelry, pottery, furniture, and other items that the deceased could use in the afterlife.
The Ancient Egyptians believed that the afterlife was an extension of life on earth and took great care to ensure that the deceased’s transition was a smooth one.
Fact #3: Ancient Egyptians believed that cats were sacred animals, and treated them with respect.
Ancient Egyptians had a deep respect for cats, believing them to be sacred animals.
Cats were held in high regard and were often mummified alongside their owners when they passed away.
Religious figureheads, such as Bastet, the goddess of cats, were worshipped and depicted in art and sculptures.
Cats were seen as symbols of protection and were kept as pets in many households.
Killing a cat was seen as a crime punishable by death, and it was believed that the gods would take revenge on anyone who harmed them.
As a result, cats were highly respected and valued in ancient Egyptian society.
Fact #4: Ancient Egyptians invented the 365-day calendar, which is still used today.
The Ancient Egyptians were certainly pioneers in many aspects of the modern world.
One of their most impressive feats is the development of a 365-day calendar.
This calendar was revolutionary for its time, as it accounted for the solar year and was used as a basis for religious ceremonies as well as civil and agricultural activities.
This calendar is still used today, with only minor modifications to account for the leap year.
Scientists believe that the Ancient Egyptians based their calendar on observations of the stars and the regularity of the Nile River flooding cycle.
This calendar is a testament to the ancient Egyptians’ sophisticated knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.
It serves as a reminder of the incredible accomplishments of this ancient civilization and its lasting influence on our modern world.
Fact #5: Ancient Egyptians developed an advanced system of medicine, including surgeries and natural remedies.
Ancient Egyptians developed an advanced system of medicine that included both surgeries and natural remedies.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest known surgical instruments date back to the pre-dynastic period of Ancient Egypt.
It is believed that Ancient Egyptians had a vast knowledge of medical practices, ranging from simple remedies such as honey to more complex treatments such as trepanning, amputations, and the use of drugs.
They also made use of herbs and ointments to treat a range of maladies.
Ancient Egyptians are also credited with the development of advanced medical texts, with some of the earliest known medical texts being written as early as the 3rd century BC.
This evidence suggests that the Ancient Egyptians had a complex understanding of medical practices and were able to develop advanced methods of treating a variety of illnesses.
Fact #6: Ancient Egyptians were pioneers in mathematics and geometry, creating a decimal system and solving complex problems.
Ancient Egyptians are renowned for their incredible mathematical and geometrical accomplishments.
They were the first to create a decimal system, enabling them to solve complex problems with unparalleled accuracy.
This decimal system was based on the hieroglyphic symbol for a million, and enabled them to do calculations such as multiplication and division.
Ancient Egyptian mathematicians also developed an accurate method for calculating the area of circles and triangles.
Furthermore, they were able to accurately determine the volume of cylinders, pyramids, and other 3-dimensional shapes.
These groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and geometry have impacted the way we learn and use mathematics today.
Fact #7: Ancient Egyptians created the first paper from papyrus reeds, which was used to write their hieroglyphics.
The Ancient Egyptians are credited with inventing the world’s first paper, which was made from the papyrus reed and used for writing their hieroglyphics.
Papyrus paper was lighter, cheaper and more durable than the clay tablets used by other ancient cultures, making it easier for the Egyptians to communicate.
The production of papyrus paper was an important economic industry for the Ancient Egyptians, who used it for everything from record keeping and legal documents to religious texts and novels.
Papyrus paper remained the most widely used writing material in the Mediterranean until the Arab introduction of the papermaking technique, which used cotton and linen.
Even then, papyrus remained the most important material in Egypt until the late eighth century.
Today, papyrus paper is still used to create artwork and decorations, as a reminder of its place in ancient history.
Fact #8: Ancient Egyptians constructed the pyramids, which are some of the most impressive structures in the world.
The Ancient Egyptians constructed the pyramids, one of the most awe-inspiring structures of the ancient world and a testament to human engineering prowess.
The most famous of the pyramids are the Great Pyramids at Giza, but there are many more throughout Egypt.
These structures, which were built over 4,500 years ago, are among the most carefully constructed structures in the world, and remain largely intact to this day.
The sheer scale of the structures is remarkable, and the sheer number of workers, resources and years that went into their construction is a testament to the Ancient Egyptians’ impressive engineering skills.
Fact #9: Ancient Egyptians believed in many gods, and built temples in their honor.
The Ancient Egyptians held a polytheistic belief system, worshipping many gods and goddesses.
They built temples in honour of their deities, dedicated to their worship and offering.
These temples were often ornately decorated and held significant cultural and spiritual importance.
The Ancient Egyptians would often provide offerings of food, clothing and other items to their gods to show their devotion and gain their favour.
They had gods for the sun and the moon, for love and fertility, for war and for the afterlife.
Many of the gods and goddesses were represented in the form of animals, and many Ancient Egyptian gods are still well-known today.
Fact #10: Ancient Egyptians believed in the power of magic, and incorporated it into their daily life.
The Ancient Egyptians had an elaborate faith system that greatly impacted their daily life.
One of these beliefs was in the power of magic.
They believed that the gods could use magic to provide them with protection and healing, and that priests had the power to manipulate the gods and create their own spells.
Magic was used in everyday life to bring good fortune, ward off evil, and ask for blessings.
In addition, the Ancient Egyptians used magical rituals to protect against disease, ward off bad luck, and even “magically” create new life.
Magic was such a fundamental part of their culture that it was even incorporated into their writing, art, and architecture.
This belief in the power of magic was intertwined with all aspects of life in Ancient Egypt and continued to influence the culture for centuries.
Conclusion
As we have seen, Ancient Egypt was an incredible civilization full of fascinating facts and stories.
From the hieroglyphs they used to the great monuments they left behind, the world has much to learn from the ancient Egyptians.
Their history is full of secrets and surprises, and the more we learn, the more we appreciate the wisdom of their culture and the impact it has had on the world today.
