A note on cereals in ancient Egypt

Abstract

This chapter describes some of the evidence on cereals in ancient Egypt down to the Ptolemaic period. This is considered, somewhat arbitrarily perhaps direct and indirect evidence. Limitations of space have precluded discussion of such matters as ancient Egyptian agricultural implements, granaries and no attempt is made to discuss the origins of the various species, or the route by which they may have entered Egypt. The staple wheat species of Egypt was emmer, Triticum dicoccum. Barley has been used as a foodstuff in Egypt since very early times. The grown in Egypt anciently seems to have been much the same as that grown. The archaeological evidence for the cultivation of this species in ancient Egypt seems to be extremely meagre. Frequently found are the expressions Upper Egyptian barley and Lower Egyptian barley, which probably refer to the geographical provenance of the grain rather than to any botanical differences.