Rethinking Innovation: Ancient Egypt’s Surprising Legacy
When we think of inventions like toothpaste, wigs, or paper, we tend to associate them with relatively recent history. But in reality, many of the everyday things we take for granted have roots that stretch all the way back to ancient Egypt. Over the course of four millennia, Egyptian civilization along the Nile developed incredible innovations, some of which are surprisingly familiar even today.
Here are five surprisingly “modern” concepts that were born thousands of years ago in the land of the pharaohs.
1. Paperwork: The Original Papyrus Scrolls
Before the age of printing presses, tablets, or cloud documents, the Egyptians were already writing things down. They crafted sheets from the papyrus plant that grew abundantly along the Nile. By slicing its stalk into thin strips, soaking, pressing, and drying them, they created a sturdy writing surface that was light, portable, and functional.
These papyrus sheets were often glued together into scrolls using a paste of water and flour. Scribes, who were essentially ancient record-keepers and scholars, relied on these scrolls to document everything from taxes and trade to rituals and mythology. Sizes varied, but the scrolls were incredibly efficient for storing and sharing knowledge.
2. A 365-Day Calendar (Yes, That One)
The Egyptian calendar was one of the first to reflect the solar year, 365 days long, based on close observation of seasonal changes and, most notably, the annual flooding of the Nile. They noticed that this event happened with cyclical precision, leading them to divide time more systematically.
Their year was split into 12 months, each with 30 days, plus an extra 5 bonus days to round out the year. These were further grouped into three seasons: flooding (Akhet), growing (Peret), and harvest (Shemu). It wasn’t just a calendar; it was a tool that aligned agricultural life with celestial rhythm.
3. Early Dental Care: Toothbrushes, Toothpaste and Fresheners
Dental hygiene may seem like a modern obsession, but ancient Egyptians were ahead of the game, mainly out of necessity. Their diet, rich in grains and rough vegetables, often led to worn enamel and gum issues. Archaeologists have found signs of tooth decay and oral disease in mummies, but also remedies.
They used frayed sticks as toothbrushes, and their toothpaste recipes included ingredients like crushed eggshells, ashes, rock salt, and aromatic herbs. Some even added mint and dried iris flowers for freshness. To battle bad breath, they chewed on myrrh-based gum-like balls, basically ancient breath mints.
4. Hairpieces and Wigs as Style and Status Symbols
Long before hair salons and synthetic extensions, Egyptians were styling their looks with intricate wigs and hairpieces. Worn by both men and women, wigs served multiple purposes: protecting the head from the sun, maintaining cleanliness, and signaling status or religious devotion.
Made from human hair, horsehair, or plant fibers, these wigs were often adorned with beads, ribbons, and scented wax. One of the finest examples, the wig of a woman named Merit, is now preserved in the Egyptian Museum of Turin, a testament to both craftsmanship and fashion in ancient society.
5. Bowling in Ancient Lanes
Turns out ancient Egyptians had a love for games too, and one of them looks suspiciously like modern-day bowling. Archaeologists from the University of Pisa uncovered an ancient game court near modern Fayoum, southwest of Cairo, dating back to around the third or second century BCE.
This game was played on a dirt track carved into the ground with shallow grooves. Players rolled balls toward targets, essentially an early version of bowling, though with different rules and equipment. Still, it shows that entertainment, competition, and a bit of fun were just as important then as they are now.
Conclusion
From beauty trends to sports and dental routines, the ancient Egyptians were not just building pyramids. They were laying the groundwork for many parts of modern life. So next time you brush your teeth or check your calendar, give a little nod to the ancient innovators who started it all.