Farmers and Peasants |
Questions
Title: Farmers and Peasants
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The pharaoh got the rich peasants to do the farm work on the rich lands.Farmers lived near the Nile River and in towns too, along with craftworkers, traders and other workers and their families. Egyptians grew crops such as wheat, barley, vegetables, figs, melons, pomegranates and vines. They also grew flax which was made into linen. The most important crop was grain. The ancient Egyptians used grain to make bread, porridge and beer. Egyptian farmers divided their year into three seasons, based on the cycles of the Nile River: Akhet - the inundation (June-September): The Flooding Season. No farming was done at this time, as all the fields were flooded. Instead, many farmers worked for the pharaoh (king), building pyramids or temples. Some of the time was spent mending their tools and looking after animals. Peret (October-February): The Growing Season. In October the floodwaters receded, leaving behind a layer of rich, black soil. This fertile soil was then ploughed and seeded. Shemu (March-May): The Harvesting Season. The fully grown crops had to be cut down (harvested) and removed before the Nile flooded again. It was also the time to repair the canals ready for the next flood. http://primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/egypt/farming.htm |