Farmer
In Ancient Egypt, farmers lived within close proximity to the Nile River because of
the fertile soil available there. Every summer, heavy rains flooded the Nile. The
soil that was left on the shores was very fertile and helped farmers grow a good
amount and selection of crops. Vegetables, fruit, wheat and flax plant were
among the most common crops grown by farmers.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian farmer; you will need to obtain the following
list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can be found
at the marketplace. Be careful not to trade for items that you can make yourself.
What you need:






Axe
Plough
Sickle
Hoe
Pottery
Clothing
Craftsman – Jewelry Maker
The ancient Egyptians were the first to establish jewelry making as a profession.
They were considered ‘middle class’ and were highly regarded for their skills.
They worked long hours and worked mainly in poor communities. Jewelry
symbolized power and religious dominance and was believed to have magical
abilities, which was though to protect Egyptian men and women from evil spirits,
especially in the afterlife.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian jewelry maker; you will need to obtain the
following list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can
be found at the marketplace. Be careful not to trade for items that you can make
yourself.
What you need:






Copper
Silver
Gold
Turquoise
Amethyst
Ivory
Craftsman – Carpenter
In Ancient Egypt, Carpenters and Craftsman created simple furniture for the
common people, while the most elaborate for the wealthy and the Kings. In
elaborate works, wooden frameworks were decorated with stones and gold. The
Carpenter’s wood had to be imported from other places such as Lebanon and
picked up at local markets.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian Carpenter; you will need to obtain the
following list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can
be found at the marketplace. Be careful not to trade for items that you can make
yourself.
What you need:






Ivory
Axe
Chisel
Stone
Gold
Barley
Craftsman – Textile Worker
In Ancient Egypt, flax crops would be turned into linen cloth by the Ancient
Egyptian textile workers, and sold. Aside from linen, Ancient Egyptian textile
workers also produced woolen garments. Such woolen garments were made for
the poorest Egyptians that could not afford linen and were also used for the
cooler winter months. The Ancient Egyptian commoners were therefore usually
adequately clothed.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian Textile Worker; you will need to obtain the
following list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can
be found at the marketplace. Be careful not to trade for items that you can make
yourself.
What you need:






Flax Plant
Flax Plant
Vegetable
Grain
Dishes
Jewelry
Craftsman – Pottery Maker
In Ancient Egypt, some of the uses of pottery in ancient Egypt included:





Food and drink containers
Fermentation jars for wine
Funerary cones to identify the owner and family of non-royal tombs during the
New Kingdom
Broken pieces were used as scrap paper for art students to practice on and
have their tutor correct with a different color
Dishes and vessels
The ancient Egyptians didn't only use pottery for their daily lives... pottery was a
central feature in tombs as well – where they would leave containers of food and
goods for the deceased to use on his/her journey through the afterlife. The
pottery would be engraved or painted with religious incantations to help the soul.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian Pottery Maker; you will need to obtain the
following list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can
be found at the marketplace. Be careful not to trade for items that you can make
yourself.
What you need:






Limestone
Granite
Sandstone
Gold
Tools
Vegetable
Craftsman – Metal Worker
In Ancient Egypt, The methods of metalworking: melting, forging, soldering, and
chasing of metal, were not only much practiced, but also most highly developed.
The frequent references in Ancient Egyptian records of metalworking gives us a
truer conception of the importance of this industry in Ancient Egypt. The vases,
mirrors, and implements of bronze, discovered at Thebes and other parts of
Egypt, abundantly prove the skill of the Egyptians in compounding metals.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian Metal Worker; you will need to obtain the
following list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can
be found at the marketplace. Be careful not to trade for items that you can make
yourself.
What you need:






Copper
Gold
Silver
Grain
Barley
Cedar
Craftsman – Miner
With the Nile cutting through various rock formations, Egyptian quarries are often
close to the river. Metal and precious stones on the other hand were found
mostly in the desert, where living conditions were difficult and the security
situation often precarious. Work in the mines was therefore often seasonal.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian Miner; you will need to obtain the following
list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can be found
at the marketplace. Be careful not to trade for items that you can make yourself.
What you need:






Barley
Stone
Cedar
Bread
Linen
Rope
Merchant
The merchant goes to the village market. In a large open square, men crouch
with baskets of vegetables, fish, figs, cups, cloth, cedar, ebony wood and so
much more.
The merchant finds a clear spot and sets down his baskets. Some men gather
around him and touch the ivory. One man says, “I’ll give you a bag of grain and a
piece of cedar for a piece of ivory.” The merchant pauses, “How about 3 bags of
grain and a piece of cedar?” The large man says, “Two bags of grain and a piece
of cedar”. “Done” says the merchant.
After a few other exchanges, the merchant is finished for the day. He returns
home to his family and puts his baskets down. His family is please with what he
has brought home – grain, eggs, vegetables, fish, beer, linen and bread.
Egyptian merchants often traveled to other countries to exchange gold, papyrus,
linen cloth, and jewelry for items like cedar, ebony wood and panther skins.
When they returned, they exchanged their goods to royalty or other officials for
grain. Other merchants traded some of their products to local farmers, fisherman
and other labourers at the market.
Step back in time… as an Egyptian Merchant; you will need to obtain the
following list of products to maintain your family’s survival. All of these items can
be found at the marketplace.
What you need:






Table
Chair
Vegetables
Clothing
Barley
Grain
Scribes
Scribes were essential in the recording of trades at the market. As a Scribe, you
will circulate around the market to ensure that trading is being recorded
accurately. Each trade needs to be recorded before a new trade can take place.
You will need to sign off on each trade to make sure that it is recorded.
26 students
3 jewelry
3 carpenters
3 metal
3 pottery
3 miners
3 textile
3 merchants
3 farmers
2 Scribes