Embark on a journey into the world of ancient Egyptian crafts and industries through an enthralling temporary exhibit at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. The exhibition showcases artefacts and scenes that illustrate the manufacturing processes and craftsmanship of the ancient Egyptians.
At the core of textile production was the cultivation of the flax plant, one of the earliest known plants in Egypt’s Nile Valley, primarily grown in the Delta region.
Linen, silk, wool, and various other fabrics were used for clothing, furnishings, and drapery. Some linen fabrics held ritual significance and were offered to deities, while also featuring prominently in the burial of human mummies and funeral offerings. The attire of ancient Egyptians was characterised by simplicity and minimal decoration, with the quality and transparency of the fabric serving as indicators of elegance and high industry standards.
Vegetable dyes were employed to add vibrant splashes of colour to the textiles, with Egypt’s textile industry reaching remarkable heights, unparalleled even by modern standards. The industry continued to flourish through the Ptolemaic and Roman eras, evolving to its apex under Coptic craftsmen from the 4th century.
Don’t miss the linen cloth inscribed with a royal cartouche bearing the Name of Taharqa meryAmun, a captivating relic from Dynasty 25.
Despite the limited availability of suitable wood in the Egyptian environment, the wood industry played a vital role in ancient Egyptian civilisation. Most wood had to be imported. This craft contributed to the construction of architectural elements, the manufacture of tools and furniture for funerary purposes.
Many small techniques and crafts were associated with the wood industry. For example, the veneering technique involved placing thin layers of valuable wood, like sycamore, on less expensive wood to achieve a luxurious appearance. The inlaying technique was used to decorate wood with other valuable materials such as ivory, black wood, and faience, creating aesthetic forms. Carving techniques were employed to produce a variety of items including statues, offering tables, daily tools, utensils, beds, boxes, chairs, combs, musical instruments, as well as shipbuilding and boat carpentry.
One fascinating exhibit features two photos: one depicts a scene of a wood workshop from the tomb chapel of Vizier Rekhmire in Thebes during the New Kingdom, while the other photo shows a modern carpenter working in a similar manner to his ancestor.
Don’t forget to view the wooden cosmetic box shaped like a goose, a cylindrical box adorned with depictions of wild animals, and a marquetry chair with a wicker seat and lion-paw legs.
Ancient Egyptians were pioneers in extracting minerals, including copper in prehistoric times, gold in the pre-dynastic era, and bronze in the Middle Kingdom.
Egyptians created a wide variety of jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Both men and women wore jewellery as a symbol of identity, status, and social class, as well as an indication of wealth.
Earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings, necklaces, belts, and head crowns were popular types of jewellery. The ancient Egyptians were known for using precious and semi-precious stones with unique characteristics in their jewellery making.
Today, jewellery makers worldwide continue to draw inspiration from ancient Egyptian patterns.
On display are ancient Egyptian jewellery-making scenes and a range of decorative arts, including items crafted from materials like ivory, gold, and lapis lazuli, dating back to 4000-3000 BC.
The reed industry held great importance, particularly in the cultivation and utilisation of the versatile papyrus plant. Thriving along the banks of the Nile River and in marshy areas within the Nile Delta, the plant’s tall, sturdy stalks with feathery tufts were highly valued.
With meticulous care, the Egyptians harvested papyrus reeds by cutting them near the base and bundling them into manageable sheaves. Subsequently, the reeds were left to dry in the sun, a crucial step in their preparation for various uses.
Papyrus reeds were notably employed in creating writing material. The inner pith of the reed was carefully extracted, sliced into thin strips, and layered in an overlapping fashion. These layers were then pressed together and hammered to form sheets, which were smoothed and dried to produce papyrus scrolls, which served as the primary medium for recording important documents, religious texts, literature, and administrative records in ancient Egypt.
Beyond writing material, papyrus reeds were utilised in weaving mats, baskets, sandals, ropes, beds, arrows, and boats. Their flexible nature made them ideal for producing durable and functional products that were integral to everyday life. Papyrus mats provided insulation against the desert floor’s heat, while baskets served as storage containers for various goods.
For the shoe industry, it evolved from simple sandals to elaborate footwear. While sandals made of leather or reed were popular among the general populace, leather shoes embellished with intricate designs were reserved for the elite due to their higher prices. These shoes sometimes bore symbolic ornaments or hieroglyphic inscriptions representing concepts such as power, authority, and religious symbolism, in addition to providing foot protection.
The legacy of the ancient Egyptian leather and shoe industry endures, with well-preserved archaeological finds shedding light on ancient styles and patterns. Furthermore, traditional craft techniques and practices have been passed down through generations, with some still being followed to this day.
Among the fascinating artefacts on display is a basket containing toiletry objects, including six glass bottles, five kohl pots, in addition to a single leather shoe, and a dog collar adorned with horse figures crafted from leather, bronze, gold, and pigments.
From ancient times to the Graeco-Roman period, the pottery industry was a central part of Egyptian culture, reflecting significant cultural, technological, and economic transitions.
Early Egyptian pottery materials included Nile and marl clay, sometimes combined with sand, dung, and shells. The pottery-making process involved clay preparation through soaking, levigating, and shaping techniques like pinching, coiling, and moulding.
After shaping, the clay dried in the sun and could undergo various treatments such as wet smoothing, washing with water and pigments, and burnishing before decoration.
Initially serving simple and practical purposes, Egyptian pottery evolved with the introduction of advanced tools like the pottery wheel during the Old Kingdom. Production centres were established near major cities like Memphis and Thebes, producing vessels for everyday use and funerary offerings.
During the Middle Kingdom, Egyptian pottery saw refined shapes and decorations influenced by trade with the Levant and Nubia, benefited by more efficient kilns.
Advancements like the potter’s wheel and moulds in the New Kingdom led to mass production of highly decorative pieces depicting daily life and mythology.
During the Greco-Roman period, Egyptian pottery assimilated Mediterranean styles, blending Greek and Roman techniques with traditional Egyptian methods, resulting in distinct hybrid pottery that showcased a mix of artistic influences.
Nubian pottery also played a significant cultural role in ancient Egypt, displaying unique shapes and techniques. On display are a collection of jars and cups.
The ancient Egyptians stumbled upon the discovery of glass accidentally, initially using it to glaze beads that were found naturally in places affected by volcanic activity and lightning. Glass is formed by melting rocks at high temperatures and allowing them to cool and solidify. During the pre-dynastic period, the Egyptians started producing pure glass as a distinct material. They created transparent beads by combining quartz sand and an alkali substance, then encasing them in a glazed layer using casting or a wheel. Larger scale glass production began in the 18th Dynasty (1550 BC), with evidence pointing to glassmaking being centred in the Nile Delta in Egypt during the Roman era, particularly in sites like Qantir.
In the 8th century AD, Egyptian craftsmen introduced a new method of decorating glass with metal pieces made of copper and silver. This technique continued into the Fatimid era, where glass vessels coated with metallic lustre were manufactured, and the glass industry continued to flourish during the Mamluk and Ottoman eras. Today, glassmaking remains a thriving industry with many workshops upholding this age-old tradition.
On display an array of bottles, vases, and jugs.
The exhibition is located on the upper floor, room n. 43. It will be open to the public until July 18th.