Find out how some inventions from ancient Egypt were created

Many inventions came from ancient Egyptians, as the country is known to be innovative. Find out some that are still used today. 

Ancient Egyptian Inventions Still Used Today

The ancient Egyptians were a civilization of great advances. They are one of the world’s oldest and longest lasting civilizations. They not only have a rich history and culture to explore, but they have also gifted to the long-future generations. The Egyptians’ physical legacy includes hundreds of pyramids and complex temples. 

They are home to numerous inventions, many of which are still used today. These inventions cut across science, construction, agriculture and other problem solving products. Ancient Egyptians also contributed to sports and the concept of betting before online platforms like 888Starz came about.  This article will talk about some of the most interesting inventions and technology in ancient Egypt that are still in use today.

1. Papyrus Sheet

While it is true that the Chinese were the ones that invented paper around 140 B.C.E., however, it was the ancient Egyptians that developed an admirable substitute centuries earlier from the papyrus plant. This stiff, red looking plant grew and continues to grow in the marshy areas. It has a tough texture, fibrous interior that proved ideal for making durable sheets of writing materials. It was also used to make sandals, sails, mats and other necessities of ancient Egyptian life. Once the sheets were made, they were combined into scrolls, which were then filled with all types of texts.  

1. The Calendar 

Are you surprised to discover that the calendar is an ancient Egyptian invention? In ancient Egypt, a calendar could mean the difference between famine and feast. It was initially created to help identify when the annual flooding of the Nile would begin to help protect the agricultural system. So, a few thousand years before the common era, they started using one. It was so closely tied into farming, such that the Egyptians divided it into three main seasons; the inundation, growing and harvest. 

There were four months in each season, and each month was divided into 30 days. All together this gave 360 days, making a year. We can all agree that this is still in use in current times. Now it is easy to identify dates, whether it is your birthday or  a Premier League match schedule.

1. The Plow

Although the exact origin of the plough is unknown, evidence points to the Sumerians and Egyptians as some of the earliest societies to use it, around 4000 BCE. There was definitely space for improvement in those plows. The plows, which were probably made from adapted hand tools, were so light and inefficient that they are now called “scratch plows” since they couldn’t delve very far into the ground. And the only fuel the plows used was elbow grease. This was one of the most advanced technology in ancient Egypt.

1. Clocks

By tracking the movement of the obelisk’s shadows throughout the day, the Egyptians were able to use their well-known obelisks as sundials. The ancient Egyptians used this information to identify the longest and shortest days of the year. A water clock is depicted in an inscription discovered in the tomb of a court official named Amenemhet that dates to the 16th century BC. A stone vase with a small hole at the bottom was used to make this clock.

1. Surgical Instruments

The earliest surgical text is the Edwin Smith Papyrus, which dates around 1600 BC. It discusses the type of damage, patient assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy for 48 surgical cases involving injuries, fractures, wounds, dislocations, and tumors. The head, neck, shoulders, breasts, and chest were all injured. The papyrus contains explanations of how to use swabs, bandages, adhesive plasters, cauterizing, and a list of the tools used in various surgeries as well as directions for suturing wounds.

The papyrus also has a section on gynecology and another on cosmetics, along with five prescriptions, and is written in black ink with explanations written in red. Scalpels, scissors, copper needles, forceps, spoons, lancets, hooks, probes, and pincers are among the surgical tools in the Cairo Museum’s collection. These are all a product of technology in ancient Egypt.

Other Inventions

Ancient Egyptians have  had many more inventions than the ones mentioned above. These include some Architectural and Engineering techniques inspired by Ancient Egypt. They include:

• Pyramid structures 
• Brickmaking
• Surveying and Measurement tools
• Dams and water control
• Column Designs
• Medicine
• Makeup
• Irrigation system and many more. 

Conclusion 

Egypt is known for being a growing country. It is one of Africa’s most advanced countries. Its citizens are known to be innovative and you can tell this has been the case for centuries. Many innovations have stemmed from Egypt, from ancient inventions to even modern technological advances. They are a problem solving country, hence their ability to create something from nothing. Listed are some ancient Egyptian inventions that are still in use today.

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