We know that the River Nile was the life source of the Egyptians. It brought rich soil and therefore food to the people of Egypt.

Farmers planned their time around 3 seasons - the flooding season, the growing season, and the harvest season.

• The Flooding Season: Each spring, snow on the mountains would melt. The Nile River would flood. This was a very good thing. When the flood waters receded, they left behind fertile soil. Crops could easily be grown in this black, rich soil. The ancient Egyptians called this soil the "The Gift of the Nile".

• The Growing Season: Farmers planted wheat, barley, vegetables, figs, melons, pomegranates, corn, and flax (which they used to make into linen.)

• The Harvest Season: Once the crops were harvested, what could be dried or stored. The Egyptians were very practical people. They knew they had to save what food they could for the other seasons or in case the Nile did not flood! 

Farming was not as easy as it might sound. In ancient Egypt, tools were simple. Cattle needed care. Snakes and jackals roamed the fields. Farmers had to barter a great many of their harvested crops for the things and animals they needed to plant more crops.  Everyone knew farming was hard work, and successful farming was important to everyone.

Find out more about Farming and Egyptian food with the links below: