What Did Craftsmen Do in Ancient Egypt? Unveiling the Secrets

Craftsmen in ancient Egypt were considered an important class in society, as their skills contributed to the manufacture of many products that formed an essential part of daily life and religious rituals.

They worked in various fields such as sculpture, carpentry, pottery, jewelry making, and goldsmithing, which helped in the prosperity of the ancient Egyptian economy.

These craft industries were closely linked to culture and religion, as craftsmen produced household tools and decorations that were used in temples and tombs.

So in this article we will explore What Did Craftsmen Do in Ancient Egypt?

What Did Craftsmen Do in Ancient Egypt: The importance craft industries in ancient Egypt

 

Crafts in ancient Egypt were a symbol of creativity and mastery, and played a pivotal role in strengthening the economy, supporting religious beliefs, and achieving urban progress. They were an essential part of ancient Egyptian civilization, and they were of great importance in several aspects:

• They contributed significantly to the ancient Egyptian economy, and craftsmen produced a variety of products such as pottery, tools, jewelry, furniture, clothing, leather goods, and ships.
• Crafts reflected ancient Egyptian culture and demonstrated the skills of Egyptian craftsmen, which contributed to strengthening Egypt’s cultural identity.
• Handicrafts contributed to the manufacture of sacred statues, ritual tools, and coffins, which played a major role in religious rituals and temple celebrations.
• It was considered a form of art, as craftsmen were creative in designing and implementing products with the highest levels of precision and beauty.
• Crafts were passed down from generation to generation, which contributed to the transfer of knowledge and craft skills across generations, and ensured the continuity of these industries.
• Craftsmen were responsible for constructing temples and royal tombs such as the pyramids, which still bear witness to their ingenuity. They also carved inscriptions and drawings that documented daily life and religious beliefs.
• Crafts contributed to enhancing commercial activity by producing handmade goods that were sold and exported, such as jewelry, fabrics, and pottery.
• Crafts provided tools and furniture used in daily life, such as agricultural tools, household utensils, and fabrics, which contributed to improving the standard of living of the population.

What are the crafts in ancient Egypt?

 

In ancient Egypt, there were a variety of crafts that played a vital role in daily life, economy and culture. The main crafts were:

• Pottery: Craftsmen made pottery for daily use and religious rituals. The pots were used to store food, water and oils.
• Carpentry: Carpentry was an important craft in ancient Egypt, as craftsmen made furniture, tools, ships and coffins.
• Jewelry: Craftsmen made jewelry from gold, silver and precious stones. Jewelry was used for decoration and religious purposes.
• Weaving: The textile industry was a major craft, as craftsmen made clothes and fabrics from linen and wool.
• Mummification: Mummifiers preserved the bodies of the dead to ensure their souls could reunite with their physical forms in the afterlife, as they believed.
• Painters: They worked to decorate the walls of temples and tombs with colorful drawings that told stories of daily life and religious rituals.

What tools did Egyptian craftsmen use?

 

The ancient Egyptian craftsmen used a variety of tools in their handicrafts. The main tools they used were:

• Chisels and hammers: They were used to carve stone and wood. Chisels were made of copper, bronze, or iron.
• Knives: They were made of flint, obsidian, or copper, and were used for cutting and shaping.
• Drills: They were made of bone, ivory, or wood, and were used for drilling and engraving.
• Saws: They were made of copper or bronze, and were used for cutting wood and other materials.
• Stone hammers: They were used for striking and shaping, and were made of stone or copper.

Types of craftsmen in ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, there were a variety of craftsmen who played a vital role in daily life, the economy, and culture. The main types of craftsmen were:

• Potters: They specialized in making pottery vessels that were used in daily life, as well as vessels for religious rituals.
• Carpenters: They used wood to make furniture, coffins, and boats, and their work was characterized by precision and beautiful decorations.
• Jewelers: They made gold jewelry and tools for kings and nobles using advanced techniques such as smelting and engraving.
• Weavers: They wove linen and made the clothes worn by the Egyptians, some of which were decorated and reserved for the upper classes.
• Embalmers: They mummified the bodies of the dead to preserve them in the afterlife, and the mummification process required high skills.
• Sculptors: They specialized in carving statues and murals, whether from stone or wood, as the statues were used in temples and tombs to represent gods and kings.
• Tool and weapon makers: They specialized in manufacturing agricultural tools and weapons from bronze and copper, such as knives and spears.
• Perfumers: They made oils and perfumes used in religious rituals and mummification.

What is the god of crafts in ancient Egyptians

 

The god of crafts in the belief of the ancient Egyptians is the god Ptah, who was considered the patron of craftsmen, artists and engineers in ancient Egypt and was worshiped in the city of Memphis, which was a center for crafts and industries.

The Egyptians believed that Ptah was the one who created the world and therefore was associated with creativity and innovation. In addition to craftsmen, Ptah was the patron of architects and builders who supervised the construction of temples and tombs and Ptah was highly respected.

It was believed that craftsmen derive their skills and creativity from his divine blessing, which made him a symbol of creativity and manual labor in ancient Egypt, and all of these are beliefs specific to them only.

The crafts of ancient Egypt were a fundamental element in the development of Egyptian civilization, as craftsmen contributed to the production of intricate tools and works of art that the Egyptians used in their daily lives and religious rituals.

Through their skills in sculpture, carpentry, goldsmithing, pottery, and many other crafts, they made significant contributions that helped build temples and royal tombs, and produced artistic masterpieces that continue to amaze the world to this day.