Egypt is one of few countries that managed to maintain the ancient geographical boundaries throughout its history. Meanwhile, geography is mainly responsible for the cultural heritage and history of the region. Situated between the Asian and European continent, Ancient Egypt was a transition point through which ideas, concepts, customs were traveling along with goods. Hence, the location significantly contributed to the cultural diversity and socio-economic development of the country.
The environment and climate indeed determined the vector along which ancient Egypt developed. Interestingly, the country was formed on the site of a dried-up ocean, which existed there for millions of years and, having disappeared, left a lot of fossils in the soil. Researchers think that the findings of the remains of ancient sea creatures strongly influenced the mythological thinking of the Egyptians, stirring up their imaginations (Ikram 2). Besides, the country was surrounded by several oases that were used for agricultural purposes. Thus, despite the proximity to the desert, natural resources have created favorable conditions for Egypt.
The Nile undoubtedly deserves separate consideration as the main factor that influenced the formation of the ancient Egyptian civilization. The climate affected the configuration Nile that gave much more moisture and noble soil back in the times than now. Rich in minerals, fertile soil yielded a decent harvest every year, stimulating trade and economic prosperity in Egypt. Moreover, the silt saturating the Nile was widely used in pottery, ceramics, and construction (Ikram 7). Moreover, papyrus is, among other things, a unique resource with which ancient Egypt is associated with many. Its intensive growth is also due mainly to the characteristics of the river, soil, and climate. As a result, the presence of so much papyrus served to create the prosperity of writing in ancient Egypt (Ikram 9). Thus, the Nile set the pace for art, architecture, and creative activity, pumping the craft skills of the Egyptians and creating a unique image of their civilization.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the Nile also played an essential role in the formation of the theological and iconographic perspective of ancient Egypt. The river, without exaggeration, gave the Egyptians life and a means of subsistence, helped to enrich their country economically and culturally. The ancient Egyptians, of course, saw in this the divine essence of the Nile and provided it with a sacred meaning. Indeed, flooding every year, the Nile renewed the soil making it more fertile, thus symbolizing rebirth. As a result, the calendar and the report of the seasons were compiled according to the river’s flood; the river also gave a sense of direction to the inhabitants. Hence, unlike that of most other peoples, the Egyptians’ worldview was oriented not to the north, but the south, towards the sources of the river (Ikram 8). Thus, the country’s main river occupies a central place in the peculiarities of the culture and development of Egypt.
Ancient Egypt, being one and the cradle of civilization, owes much to its favorable environment and landscape features. These factors ensured the economic, social, and cultural development of the country. The Nile River was undoubtedly the source of many resources that shaped the distinctive features of the ancient Egyptian civilization, stimulating art, architecture, writing, and even the theological concept of the people. Being a transit region, Egypt also managed to absorb the influence of other areas and enrich itself.
Work Cited
Ikram, Salima. “The Black and the Red: Geography and Environment.” Ancient Egypt: An Introduction, 1st ed., Cambridge University Press, 2009, pp. 1–21.