Ancient Egypt Utensils
Common ancient Egypt utensils were made from basic raw materials. Clay
was used to create pots, spoons, ladles and other kitchen utensils.
Palm leaves could be used to make baskets. Knives and hatches were made
of stone and later of copper or bronze. Their blades grew dull quite
fast. Late in the Roman period iron was finally used.
Of course, the ruling classes of ancient Egypt could afford utensils made of costly materials, such as copper, gold, alabaster and quartz. Wood was a scarce commodity in Ancient Egypt and only the rich could afford utensils made of ebony or cedar.
Personal utensils included hairpins, combs and cosmetic containers.
These Ancient Egypt household items could be made of bone or wood. Mirrors,
made of polished gold, silver, copper, or bronze, were part of the cosmetic
accessories of women and men, principally of the upper classes.
The ancient Egyptian household was fairly self sufficient and fabricated many of their domestic utensils for their own use in cleaning, maintenance, food preparation and storage. Ancient Egypt utensils were very long lasting, since it was cheaper to repair them than buying new ones. There were, however, carpenters and other craftsmen in ancient Egypt who could provide utensils to the population.
The adze, consisting of a metal blade and a wooden handle, was a common tool employed in agriculture, together with the sickle.
Ancient
Egyptians employed iron shears, similar to scissors to cut animal hair.
Rope was used to tie or stitch parts together, since egyptians had not
invented nails, though they had hammers. Artisans and architects used
well crafted measuring tools and wooden right angled triangles with
limestone plumbs, and ancient priests employed surgical tools of high
precision.
For warfare, hunting and fishing, egyptians used the bow and arrow, as well as daggers, knives and shields. They independently invented the boomerang, usually made of wood.
Funerary
equipment included ceremonial utensils, not meant to be used in
life, along with personal items that the deceased actually used.
In the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, visitors can see a rich collection
of ancient Egypt utensils found in tombs. Among the treasures of Tutankhamen,
whose tomb is the only one discovered so far that was not plundered
in antiquity, Howard Carter found lotus shaped lamps made of alabaster,
gold combs, an ivory headrest, an ebony and ivory game
of Senet, gold and silver daggers, boxes and furniture, and plenty
of other royal items including jewelry and sculpture.
Category: Ancient Egypt
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