Influence of Geologic Factors on Ancient Egyptian Civilization

Abstract

Geologic factors had a significant influence on where and how the ancient Egyptian civilization (3100-1085 B.C.) developed. The geologic factors related to the Nile River floodplain resulted in an annually renewable fertile soil which, when supplied with water by an irrigation system, was suitable for producing a significant food surplus, the basis for a civilization. Other geological factors were the natural barriers reflecting the physical geology and climate of the region, which enabled Egyptian civilization to develop in a natural isolation from outside interference by invaders.Because of its favorable geologic setting, Egypt had access in the immediate vicinity to the resources needed to develop its civilization. In addition to the fertile soil, a variety of building stones and gold, copper, and turquoise were available. Besides the standard mud-brick used for common buildings, a variety of building materials, including limestone, sandstone, graywacke, travertine, breccia, chert, jasper, granite, diorite, basalt, and gneiss were available for temples and government buildings, tombs, monuments, pavement, and sculpture. Gold was the foundation of the wealth of ancient Egypt. Copper was vital to Egyptian survival because it was the normal metal used for weapons, tools, and utensils from before the beginning of Egypt's civilization until long after other peoples elsewhere had replaced copper, first with bronze, and then with iron. Turquoise was a primary jewelry material, second only to gold.Even though Egypt relied on its physical isolation and self-sufficiency in essential resources for its development, it did maintain contact with people beyond its borders through trade. Among the most important, contact with Mesopotamia is suggested by influences in art, metallurgy, mud-brick architecture, and the potter's wheel; contacts with both Lebanon and eastern Africa brought timber for building ships and furniture. Except for goldrich Nubia, military conquests beyond Egypt's borders were undertaken primarily to control mineral resources rather than to annex territory. In the end, Egypt's reputation for being a land of fabulous wealth, especially its gold and surplus food, attracted a range of covetous outsiders who eventually were able to overthrow the Egyptian civilization.