Egyptian Civilization Essay

The Egyptian civilization evolved through a series of changing climate, technological developments and a population growing in skills and need for order in a chaotic environment. The earliest origins of Egyptian culture began in the Western Desert now known as the Sahara Desert, but sometime from 11,000 BCE to 6000 BCE the land was lush and full of life sustaining grasslands in which giraffes, hippopotamus and lions thrived alongside a burgeoning pastoral and hunter gather communities. Nabta Playa and Dakhleh Oasis brought about many of the basic cultural developments that were refined and embellished to become a significant part of what makes the Egyptian civilization so unique. As the monsoonal pattern shifted, the peoples of the Western

According to Dr. Smiley (vlec 2, 2014), two striking inventions emerged around 7000 BCE, which changed the course of this areas civilization because when villages began to settle, pottery and wells were needed. Well digging and pottery worked hand in hand and gave people the ability to live in the region year round. Interestingly, Chandler (2006) discovered an area called Masara (9000 BCE) was technologically advanced and possessed pottery, stone tools, arrowheads and elaborate jewelry, indicating that these types of products were considered a significant part of the Egyptian early civilization that continued to progress and evolve into what is characteristically Egyptian. In the Fayuum during 6000-5000 BCE, Dr. Smiley (vlec 4, 2014) discusses a form of pottery that incorporated temper, necessary ingredient to help the clay hold together, was used more like disposable containers. Afterwards came Badarian pottery possessing noticeably different techniques having the classically Upper Egyptian look of burnished black rims and brilliant red bases. Chandler (2006) discovered an area called Masara (9000 BCE) was technologically advanced and possessed pottery, stone tools, arrowheads and elaborate jewelry, indicating that these types of products were considered a significant part of the Egyptian early civilization that continued to progress and evolve into what is

Drawings were used from early on in the Western Desert and symbolic of Egyptian origins, according to Dr. Smiley (vlec2, 2014) and two rock paintings that were symbolic of the civilizations’ origins and slightly later, animals appeared and tracings were made to document the finding. Additionally, at the time of Naqada III, both pallets and pottery (pallets originated in Naqada II as slate cosmetic pallets) became more elaborate and had distinctive drawings, whereas they appear to be the precursor to hieroglyphs, as we know them now and eventually a writing system. The most significant aspect of the emerging hieroglyphs is what they represent to the cultural advancement of Egypt. The idea that these drawings eventually became a writing system that brought about education and literacy. From Hierakonpolis through the unification of Upper Egypt by Scorpion I, Dr. Smiley (vlec 5, 2014) discusses how the hieroglyphs developed into a fantastic system of writing that allowed the rulers to manage and keep of track of taxes and tribute in regard to distribution of grains, beer, and other necessary items in their storehouses. These are remarkable achievements and an undeniable aspect of Egyptian culture. McDowell (1996) indicated that scribes used specific tools to decorate tombs, and the rate of literacy in workers at Deir-el-Medina increased dramatically due to their need to