To learn about the everyday lives of ancient Egyptians, archeologists use many different sources of information. In this article, you will find some of the information that researchers have learned by looking at the artifacts left behind in tombs, temples, caves, and under the ground.
The best details come from tomb paintings, reliefs, and the objects that are found in tombs that highlight how ancient Egyptians lived. Whenever an excavation takes place at an ancient site, the artifacts found shed light on the ancient past.
Every member of the ancient Egyptian family had specific roles. The father was responsible for making sure the family was economically stable, while the mother made sure the household was in order and tended to the needs of the children. Egyptian children did play with toys, but in actuality, they spent a great deal of time preparing for adulthood. For instance, the children of peasants would accompany their parents into the fields and the young males would serve as an apprentice to their fathers. The children of the wealthy would sometimes undergo formal education, and often follow the path of becoming a scribe or officer of the army.
The ancient Egyptian home typically possessed a simple design that did not accommodate many furnishings. The most common piece of furniture found in the household was a low stool, which found use in nearly every home , except for a pharaoh. The stools were comprised of wood with seats made out of woven rush or leather. There were either three or four legs that offered support.
The clothing of ancient Egyptians was usually plain in style. However, they dressed up their appearance with elaborate pieces of jewelry. Both men and women wore jewelry, which included bracelets, rings, earrings, anklets, and necklaces made out of beads. Minerals also found their way into the creation of many pieces of jewelry, such as garnet, jasper, onyx, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. It was not uncommon to find gold, copper, and shells as part of their jewelry.
To accommodate their superstitious ways, the ancient Egyptians often used their jewelry as a way to bring them good luck. These kinds of charms were called amulets.
Cosmetics were used to uphold hygiene and health practices, as well as to elevate their overall look. Archeologists know this because they have various cosmetics in the tombs of the dead. Tomb paintings also illustrated their use. In an attempt to beat the heat of the hot Egyptian sun and the unforgiving dry winds, oils and creams were important cosmetics. One of the most recognizable characteristics of Egyptian cosmetics is eye paint. Green and black were popular colors. The green pigment was fashioned from copper and was called malachite. The black paint was called kohl, and was made out of lead or soot. The kohl was kept in a small pot for easy use.