In Egypt, you can hear the proverb: "Everything is afraid of time, but time is afraid of the pyramids …" However, the ancient Egyptians are known not only for building tombs and worshiping the gods. Among their inventions are called a reed pen, papyrus paper and many other equally useful things.
1. Eye makeup (eye shadows 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 eyeshadow 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 were the earliest to use papyrus, a thin paper made from reeds growing along the banks of the Nile. By A. D. 1000 e. it was exported from Egypt to Western Asia because it was much more convenientclay tablets. The paper was written with a reed pen filled with ink.
3. 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, and other elements were added over time. Among them are alphabetic symbols that denoted individual sounds and images, which made it possible to write down names and abstract concepts.
4. Reed pen and black ink. 3200 BC e
Few people know the name of the reed pen 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 of which was a reed filled with ink. It is considered the first ancient reed pen. The ink was obtained by stirring soot, vegetable resins or other glue-like substances in water.
5. A plow pulled by oxen. 2500 BC e
On the banks of the Nile, thanks to the silty soil, there were very fertile lands. They were used for agricultural purposes. The creation of a plow pulled by oxen made it easier to grow crops such as wheat and vegetables.
6. Mint Drops
The state of the teeth of the ancient Egyptians left much to be desired, studies of mummies testify to this. ForIn order to kill the smell, mint tablets were created. They included cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh and honey.
7. Watch
To determine the time, the Egyptians created two types of clocks. The obelisks served as sundials, showing the movement of the shadow throughout the day. This 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 tomb of the court official Amenemhet, dating from the 16th century BC. e. They consisted of a stone vessel with a tiny hole in the bottom that 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.
8. Bowling
In Narmuteos, a settlement 90 kilometers south of Cairo, archaeologists have discovered a bowling alley. There were balls of different sizes and a set of tracks. Unlike modern bowling, the Egyptians aimed at the square hole in the middle. The opponents stood at opposite ends of the track, their goal was to get the ball into the hole. In the process, they tried to knock the opponent's ball out of the way.
9. Toothbrush and paste. 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 recipe for toothpaste written on papyrus. An unknown author explains the process of creating "powder for white and perfect teeth" from mint,rock s alt, peppercorns 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 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 date palm fibers.
11. Surgical Instruments
The Edwin Smith Papyrus shows that it was the Egyptians who invented surgery. He describes 48 surgical options for head, neck, sternum and shoulder injuries.
It contains a list of tools used during operations, including tampons, dressings, band-aids, and more. The Cairo Museum exhibits surgical instruments: scalpels, scissors, copper needles, lancets, probes, forceps and many others.
