1. Fancy Felines
In ancient times, cats were not just animal companions- they were seen as powerful, mystical creatures. People from all walks of life in Egypt welcomed cats into their homes: from the royals to everyday people. Their role at home went a lot further than pest control; they were also believed to bring great protection and good luck to their household. In return, some felines were even fed fancy foods and wore real jewelry. After they died, many cats were purr-fectley preserved as mummies and placed in the tombs of their owners in the hopes that their relationship would continue in the afterlife. You can find cats represented in all kinds of ancient Egyptian art, including tomb wall art, hieroglyphics, obelisks, statues, and more!
2. The Oldest of the Seven Wonders
We know it took more than 2 million stone blocks to build The Great Pyramid of Giza, but we don’t know how the ancient workers moved these hefty hunks. A single block averages about 2.5 tons, which is roughly the weight of 25 refrigerators: no wonder it took over 20 years and over 100,000 people to build! It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It's also the only wonder that is still in one piece, though the Great Pyramid of Giza isn’t quite as tall as it used to be due to the loss of its original outer layer of glimmering white limestone.
3. Whoosh! Here Comes The Khamsin!
Each spring, a strong wind called the khamsin blows in. This hot and dry wind can change the temperature from 36 to 104 degrees fahrenheit in a single day and travel at a speed of up to 87 miles per hour! With all that sand and dust powerfully blowing around, it can make visibility very poor and cause quite dangerous conditions for the Egyptian people. Once the khamsin has passed, there’s typically a layer of fine sand and dust covering buildings and cars.
4. The Mighty Nile
How does civilization thrive for 5,000 years in the middle of a scorching desert? With the help of a mighty river! A river so mighty, it’s actually the longest river in Africa at a length of 4,160 miles (some scholars argue it’s actually the longest river on all of planet Earth). The Nile is so long that it actually stretches through 11 other countries outside of Egypt. For much of history, the Nile flooded like clockwork every year, providing ancient Egyptians with fresh water and rich fertile soil for farming land. The Nile wasn’t only a great source for fresh water and fertile soil, but also for food and transportation too! Thanks to the Aswan Dam, the river no longer floods each year. Though the Nile region makes up only 4% of Egypt, it’s where about 95% of Egypt's people live. If you ever have the chance to visit, try to hop aboard a felucca, a special type of boat that has sailed along the Nile for millenia. On your cruise, you’ll likely see ancient temples dedicated to powerful Egyptian gods, grand burial tombs, colorful villages, and many more awesome sights. You just might even spot one of the world’s largest reptiles - the Nile crocodile!
5. Ancient Egyptians Loved Playing Games!
Today in America, we play board games like Monopoly or Clue, but as far back as 5500 BCE in Egypt, they enjoyed board games called Senet and Twenty Squares. These games were incredibly popular, and people from all walks of life joined in on the fun. While the kings and queens played on beautifully painted game boxes or boards, the less wealthy played by scratching a grid into the dirt. The royals, in particular, loved these games so much that some were even buried with them or had depictions of themselves playing painted on their tomb walls. Through these paintings, we’ve learned that they played many other types of games too. Ancient Egyptians played tug of war, hockey, boxing, and even a version of hopscotch. Many children also had toys carved from wood, dolls made from papyrus reeds, and little toy figures created with clay.
There's More to Explore!
If you liked these fun facts about Egypt and enjoy learning about exciting places and interesting cultures all over the world, then you should check out our Atlas crates filled with fun games and interesting educational activities designed to help you travel the globe from the comfort of your living room.
