Lesson 2 - Farming

WALT: understand that most Ancient Egyptians were farmers and explain the vital importance of the Nile for farmers. 

At the end of the lesson, you will:

• Understand the role of the Nile in Egyptian civilization. 
• Know the agricultural calendar and activities of Ancient Egyptian farmers.
• Be familiar with the technology used by Ancient Egyptians to manage the Nile's waters, such as nilometers.

What can you remember from the previous lesson?

The significance of the Nile River

Most Ancient Egyptian men were farmers residing in villages along the Nile, which was crucial for their civilization. They used channels to irrigate their fields and relied on annual floods to enrich the soil.

Agriculture and seasonal cycles

The farming year was divided into three seasons: the akhet from June to September, the peret (growing season) from Oct to Feb, & the shemu (harvesting season) from March to May.

Agriculture and seasonal cycles

During the akhet, when fields were flooded, farmers repaired tools, tended to animals, worked on construction projects, or served in the army.

Agriculture and seasonal cycles

The second season of the year was Peret, the season of emergence. After the floodwaters of the Nile receded, the floodplains were damp and nutrient-rich, making it the perfect time to plant crops. Peret was the time of year during which farmers planted crops and crops began to grow.

Agriculture and seasonal cycles

Shemu was known as The Harvesting Season.The fully grown crops had to be cut down (harvested) and removed before the Nile flooded again. It was also the time to repair the canals ready for the next flood.

Activity One

Fill in the Ancient Egyptian Calendar with pictures that match the seasons of the farming year. 

Ancient Egyptian technologies

Nilometers were used to measure the Nile's water levels, varying from simple columns to sophisticated systems in temples.

Ancient Egyptian technologies

Farmers used a mechanism called a shaduf to help them lift quantities of water from the river onto their fields.A shaduf is a large pole balanced on a crossbeam, with a rope and bucket on one end and a heavy counterweight at the other. By pulling the rope it lowered the bucket into the canal. The farmer then raised the bucket of water using the weight.  

Ancient Egyptian technologies

He then swung the pole around and emptied the bucket onto the field. This mechanism meant that he could move larger/heavier quantities of water at any one time. It used gravity (a force acting on the heavy weight) and counterbalance (like a seesaw). 

Activity Two

Work in small groups to construct a shaduf. You can use: 

• Wood or Lego (or another construction kit) to make the wooden frame
• Clay, Blutack or Plasticine to make the counterweight.
• Plastic egg box for the bucket
• String for the rope.

Remember: The bucket needs to be able to move up & down & to be swiveled sideways for emptying.