Technological Developments of the Ancient Egyptians

1. The invention of Sun clocks and Water clocks: Obelisks were built in 3500 BC by the Egyptians. Shadows formed a sundial which allowed people to divide the day into 2 parts. They could also show the year's shortest and longest days. One of the first water clocks was found in the tomb of Amenhotep I who started using them around 325 BC. They were made of stone and had slanted sides which let water drip at a constant rate or bowls that filled with water at a constant rate to determine time. These inventions were important because they made it possible to tell time.



2. The invention of the Ox-drawn plows: The first Ox-drawn plows were made in 2500 BC. It required the domestication of animals and skilled metal working. These plows made farming easier and quicker.



3.  The invention of Hieroglyphic Writing: Hieroglyphics were invented by the Egyptians in 4000 BC. The Egyptians called them "the words of God" and they were mostly used by priests at that time. Hieroglyphics are written in either rows or columns and can be read from left to right, or right to left depending of the direction the human and animal heads face. Hieroglyphics allowed people to communicate without using words.



4. The invention of Paper: The first paper was woven from marsh grass called Cyperous Papyrus. Papyrus is where the name for paper came from. It was invented by the Egyptians in 3000 BC. The plant stem was cut into strips and softened, then they were soaked in water and put under a mat. The mat was pounded into thin sheets of paper. The invention of paper gave the Egyptians something to put hieroglyphics on.



5. The invention of Pyramids: Generally, it took about a decade to construct a pyramid. It was traditional for a Pharaoh to start building a pyramid when he takes the throne because it could take his entire reign. Pyramids were some of the most fascinating structures to ever be built.