The Egyptians are well renowned for their inventions and influence on fashion, agriculture, sports, science, and art. Theirs was a civilization that is so advanced, that even the present generation is lucky enough to witness it. Here are the top ten contributions the Egyptians have made to the world.
1. Bowling
In the second and third centuries A.D., archeologists have uncovered a room that contains a set of lanes and balls of different sizes. The goal is for the Egyptians to simply put the balls in the hole at the center of the lane.
Both players should stand at the opposite ends of the lane and roll the different-sized balls into the hole while knocking the opponent’s ball in the process.
2. A shave and a haircut
Due to the hot climate in Egypt, the Egyptians chose to cut their hair short or shave their heads and faces too. Thus, the invention of the first shaving tools made from sharp stone blades with wooden handles.
Later, it was replaced with copper blades that served as razors. Being clean-shaven is simply fashionable for the Egyptians of long ago.
3. Locks
The door locks that are now being used in all homes and establishments came from the ingenuity of the Egyptians. It first started in 4000 B.C. and started as a pin tumbler lock. A pin tumbler lock is a hollowed-out bolt that is connected to pins. It can be manipulated by inserting a key.
When the key is pushed upwards, the pins slip away from the bolt shaft, allowing the key to be withdrawn.
4. Toothpaste
Dental hygiene has been an obsession for the Egyptians just because they had a lot of trouble with their teeth. The bread they ate was not often without grit and sand, that is why their teeth quickly deteriorated and wore at the enamel. The first toothpaste recipe they had was a mixture of ox hooves, ashes, pumice, and burnt eggshells.
Archeologists later found a much more refreshing recipe written on papyrus which is a mixture of mint, rock salt, dried iris flower, and grains of pepper.
5. Papyrus
The papyrus is a thin paper-like material coming from the pith of the papyrus plant called, Cyperus papyrus. It served as paper for the ancient Egyptians and became a writing material for religious texts to literature. The papyrus can also be used as sails, mats and sandals, and anything necessary for life in Egypt.
The process of making the papyrus was never documented because the Egyptians wanted to barter it throughout the region. In 1965, Dr. Hassan Ragab eventually found out how the papyrus was made.
6. The calendar
The early Egyptians developed the earliest calendar to keep track of harvesting and famine. Their civil calendar, which is divided into three main seasons: inundation, growing, and harvest, each has four months.
Each month has 30 days, which makes it 360 days short of the ordinary 365 days in a year. To make it 365 days, the Egyptians added 5 more days designated to honor the children of the gods.
7. Written language
The hieroglyphics were invented by the Egyptians, which contains alphabetic and syllabic symbols as well as pictures that describe whole words, called ideograms.
The writings usually speak of war, culture, and politics. This gives a greater understanding and a clear picture of what was it like living in early Egypt.
8. Eye make-up
The first eyeliner came from the early Egyptians. They made it with a mixture of a mineral called galena and soot to create a black paste called kohl. It is then heavily applied on the eyelids of females and males alike.
Since make-up was a status symbol in early Egypt, the heavier the make-up the better. Another reason for the heavy application of kohl is that they believed it could cure various eye diseases too.
9. The sun dial
The sun clock was used as an instrument to identify day from night. It was done with the shadow of an obelisk that moved around it all day.
The Egyptians were able to discover the longest and shortest days by simply logging in the time when the shadow appears its longest and shortest at noontime.
10. The pyramids
The pyramids have shown the world the mathematical prowess of the Egyptians. To create such perfect structure, it involves a lot of mathematical skill. The pyramids have also served as inspirations for various works of art, architects, and poets.
It has also revealed so many secrets hidden behind its walls like the existence of mummies and curses. And yet, there is still more to find out about them.
The Egyptians have made so many contributions to humanity that we now enjoy its existence, like the toothpaste for example, and the calendar. You see, without these inventions, life here on earth would have been harder and uncomfortable. So, thanks to the Egyptians for making and sharing such works of talent and skill and make life a little bit easier.