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EGYPT
RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION
civilization started when our evolutionary ancestors grasped the idea
that they need not roam to find food; that they could harvest
seeds and plant them.
Taken to the next level, our ancestors had to figure out the
parameters necessary to successfully plant the seeds.
A place with
water, temperate climate, and fertile soil would insure
that the seeds would germinate and produce an edible crop.
The water (in the form of a river) was also necessary for travel; so
that the hunters/fishermen could find the necessary, essential protein
to promote growth and development.
All the ancient civilizations of the world have flourished near the
river beds.
It was some 5,000 years ago that the southern parts of Asia and the
northern parts of Africa saw the first signs of growth worlds 4 most
important ancient civilizations.
Indus River, Nile River, Yellow River and Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers provided as a perfect place for the development the ancient
civilizations i.e. the Harappa civilization, Nile valley civilization,
Mesopotamia civilization and The Xia, the Shang
EGYPT
6
Nile River Civilizations
Egypt began along the Nile
River in North Africa.
Bounded on the
south, east and
west by an
impenetrable
desert, and on the
north by the sea,
ANCIENT EGYPT
was protected from
outside influences,
which allowed it to
evolve in its own
unique way.
Egypts landscape varies from the strip of a fertile land in the valley
of the river Nile, then arid region and finally to a vast desert.
In the lower northern part the river meets the mediterranean sea and
in eastern part it extends upto Red Sea.
The Nile, the longest, mightiest, life giving river is the conduit of
ancient culture and essence of Egypt.
The transportation routes followed the valley of the Nile, and during
the flood season, the large stone slabs were carried by boats.
It is remarkable to note that only the temples and tombs were built
with stones whereas all the houses and even the palaces were built
with unbaked bricks.
There are only two seasons, spring and summer. The climate is warm
and bright. Snow and frost are unknown to them.
Except on Nile, storm and rain are very rare so there was no problem
of roof drainage and hence flat roofs were most common.
Egyptians are worshippers of gods and heavenly bodies like the sun,
moon, stars and animals as embodiment of gods.
The slaves working in stone mines and quarries, toiling on boats and
drifting the building materials down the river Nile and placing them in
position, have been depicted in pictorial representation on massive
unbroken walls of temples and tombs.
The houses were one or two storeys high, with a living hall in the
centre to protect it from fierce heat of the sun.
The massive walls were crowned with the characteristic gorge cornice
or hollow and roll mouldings.
The gorge might have originally been produced due to the pressure
of flat mud roofs on the top of the mud walls.
The flat and massive walls of temples and tombs were eminently
suited for incised relief work and explanatory hieroglyphs.
The columns were usually six times the height and were elaborated
with painting and low relief carving.
The circular shaft was curved towards base. The column with the
shaft like papyrus plant stem combined with a lotus bud or a flower
capital was a sign of union of Upper and Lower Egypt.
They were also advanced in the use of colours and they presented
the schemes of decoration, mainly in blue, red and yellow.
The incised relief work on the wall was completed in different stages.
First the surface was chiselled smooth and figures were drawn in red
by the artist and corrected in black by the master artist.
The sculptor then deepened the lines or incised the outlines and
finally the painter defined the figures with paints.
Papyrus
Stylized Papyrus Plants in
an Egyptian Tomb
Papyrus
From left to right: Closed Papyrus, Clustered column (papyrus bundle, popular in New
Kingdom), Open Papyrus, and closed Papyrus.
Open Papyrus
Closed Papyrus
Hathoric Columns