Wooden model of a man ploughing with
oxen
From Egypt
Middle Kingdom,
about 2040-1750 BC
An ancient Egyptian farmer at
work
This model was originally placed in a tomb.
Models showing various stages in the production of food were placed
in wealthy burials of the Middle Kingdom (about 2040-1750 BC) to
guarantee that the deceased would have food for eternity. The first
stage of the process was ploughing. In Egypt this took place when
the flood waters of the
inundation
receded, leaving a thick layer of fertile silt over the whole of
the flood plain.
The loose
soil required only a simple plough drawn by two cattle to create a
furrow. Scenes in tombs and on papyrus show that the crop was often
sown in front of the cattle, so that they would trample it into the
soil. The main crops were wheat and barley for making bread and
beer, and flax, for linen, rope and
matting.
Cattle were the
main draught animals of ancient Egypt. It is unlikely that beef was
an everyday foodstuff as cattle were expensive to keep, and more
useful as a draught animal. Beef was, however, represented as one
of the main components of food offerings for the deceased. Models
showing the slaughter of cattle for this purpose were placed in
tombs, and represented on offering tables in wall
paintings.
T.G.H. James, Egyptian painting and drawing (London, The British Museum Press, 1985)
M. Stead, Egyptian life (London, The British Museum Press, 1986)