Cleanliness in Ancient Egypt
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Loading... - Christina Bruce
- 31 Jul 2024
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In ancient Egypt, cleanliness was a top priority, and the Nile River played a crucial role in providing water for washing clothes and cleaning homes. According to Professor Eman Noureddin, a historian of ancient Egypt, the use of the Nile for water supply was not much different from its use today.
Hygiene was of utmost importance to the ancient Egyptians, who had sophisticated sanitary habits that were unparalleled in other nations at the time. Men would shave their heads and beards for sanitary reasons, and the same was true for priests. In fact, men who grew beards were considered barbarians, and the only exception was during mourning periods.
Women and priests would also remove body hair for the same reason. This practice was evident as early as the First Dynasty and was depicted in royal tombs from the Second Dynasty. The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in cleanliness, and their habits were documented in literary texts, temple walls, and tombs.
The concept of cleanliness was deeply ingrained in ancient Egyptian society, with people washing daily and washing their hands before and after meals. There are records of wives washing their husbands' hands and feet after work using a jug and bowl.
Noureddin's book, "Cleanliness in the Daily Lives of the Ancient Egyptians," provides a comprehensive look at the tools and practices associated with personal and domestic cleanliness. The ancient Egyptians used a range of materials, including hairbrushes, razors, and brooms, to maintain their cleanliness.
Razors, made from copper, bronze, or gold, were used for shaving from the early dynasties onwards. The design of razors evolved over time, with the first form resembling a knife and later modifications featuring a curved or axe-like blade.
Combs, made from bone, wood, or ivory, were used for hair styling and removing lice. The ancient Egyptians also used jugs and bowls for washing hands and feet, and soap made from natural ingredients like natron salt was used for personal hygiene and cleaning.
The ancient Egyptians were also meticulous about their toilets and sewage systems. Toilets were a common feature in homes, even among the poor, and were designed with a hole in the seat and a bowl of sand to collect waste. Sanitary pipes were also found in temples and homes to drain wastewater.
The ancient Egyptians' attention to cleanliness was so impressive that it astonished the famous Greek historian Herodotus, who visited Egypt. He noted that the ancient Egyptians had toilets and bathrooms inside their homes, which was unusual for the time.
Noureddin's research highlights the significance of cleanliness in ancient Egyptian society, where jobs were created in the field, and people were employed as barbers, hairdressers, and washers. The emphasis on cleanliness was a testament to the civilization's sophistication and attention to detail.
Interestingly, many modern Egyptians have inherited habits from their ancestors, particularly in rural areas. Growing a beard in mourning is still practiced today, and many Egyptians still visit tombs during feasts and religious festivals, just like their ancestors did.
The ancient Egyptian emphasis on cleanliness has had a lasting impact on Egyptian society, with many modern Egyptians still painting their homes white and burning incense, practices that have nothing to do with religion. As Noureddin notes, the ancient Egyptian emphasis on cleanliness was a sign of a civilized society that continues to influence Egyptian culture today.
