In the process of formation of the first civilizations, the Fertile Crescent region was an important space, in which man's relationship of dependence on nature diminished and various groups became sedentary. The domestication of animals, the invention of the first plows, the construction of irrigation canals were examples that agriculture would come to occupy a new place in human daily life. More than that, all this knowledge was responsible for the formation of large communities.
Among all these civilizations, Egypt stood out for organizing a strong state that commanded thousands of people. Located in northeast Africa, the Egyptian civilization had its growth strongly linked to the water resources provided by the Nile River. Learning of the flood system of this great river, the Egyptians organized an advanced agricultural activity that guaranteed the livelihood of a large number of people.
In addition to the factors of a natural order, we must emphasize that the presence of a centralized state, commanded by the figure of the Pharaoh, had relevant importance in the organization of a large number of workers subordinated to the government. Employees were used to demarcate land and each peasant was obliged to reserve part of the production for the state. Vegetables, barley, wheat, grapes and papyrus were among the most common crops in this territory.
Observing the great constructions and the legacy of the Egyptian people, we opened the way for an interesting debate of a historical nature. Taking as a reference the various discoveries made in the field of Astronomy, Mathematics, Architecture and Medicine, we see that the Egyptians were not simply a “less advanced” type of civilization than the current. After all, with far less advanced technological resources, they promoted surprising feats to say the least.
By Rainer Sousa
Master in History
