10 Surprising Ancient Egyptian Inventions That Still Impact Our Lives

Egypt has always been more than just a prevalent country in Africa and the Mediterranean region; it’s also a treasure trove of ancient history and culture. It’s always been known for its notable past and admired civilisation. Among all the African countries and Mediterranean gems, Egypt is home to the Pharaonic civilisation, the oldest and most respected civilisations known to humanity.

Delving deep into the history of ancient Egypt will surely leave you spellbound, unable to believe that civilisation as ancient could be that advanced. It also predated the Chinese and even the Greeks, known for their incredible ancient history. You may not realise, but many of the things we know today are ancient Egyptian inventions. They taught themselves many things when no one had the slightest clue of how things worked. 

Among the most prominent ancient Egyptian inventions are papers, writing, geometry, accounting, and the discovery of astronomy and medicine. The ancient Egyptians were known to be ahead of their time, so it’s easier to list the things they didn’t invent than to mention their achievements. 

Nonetheless, we’ll take you on an exciting ride through the most prominent ancient Egyptian inventions.

Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Inventions

The ancient Egyptian civilisation, one of the oldest and most influential cultures in human history, is known for its remarkable achievements. From the construction of the pyramids to the creation of the first written language, the Egyptians made countless contributions that continue to shape the modern world. These inventions and innovations were not just limited to monumental architecture but extended to all facets of everyday life, from medicine and engineering to social practices and technology. In this section, we will delve into some of the most significant ancient Egyptian inventions and explore their lasting impact.

10 Ancient Egyptian Inventions You Still Use Now

Check out these ancient Egyptian inventions you still use!

1. Written Language

Well, it’s far and wide known that cave paintings were the ancient method of telling stories and passing history to the next generations. That method was used in all corners of the world, so it’s old news to everyone. While ancient Egyptians weren’t an exception, and they used their hieroglyphic symbols, they were lingering for evolution beyond walls and the insides of caves, creating the ancient Egyptian language.

Thus, they invented a more developed writing system that started with pictograms, simple images depicting words. However, that pictogram was somehow limiting, which compelled the ancient Egyptians to go even further and add more characters representing different sounds. That was when the very notion of written language came into being. 

While written language is still necessary in our modern world, little do people know it was an ancient Egyptian invention. Technology may have contributed to reducing writing on paper, but we still use written language for texting and online content. So, if it weren’t for that particular ancient Egyptian invention, our modern world wouldn’t be as we know it.

2. Papyrus Paper

The invention of paper was a real changer that the world owes to the Chinese. While they highly contributed to introducing our world to paper as we know it today, ancient Egyptians seem to have had an earlier version that’s no longer in use today. It’s the papyrus sheet. Bringing the best of all the ancient Egyptian inventions to life, the writing system, they needed to go beyond walls. 

That’s when the papyrus sheets came in handy. A stiff sheet made of a reedlike plant known as papyrus grows on the Nile River’s banks today. The plant was also used to craft many other objects and necessities in Egypt then, including sandals and mats. 

Interestingly, no other civilisation had ever come to unravel the secret of making papyrus sheets, and the ancient Egyptians made sure they took the process to the grave with them. Only in 1965 did an Egyptian doctor find his way to creating papyrus sheets. Yet, it was already unnecessary since the newer Chinese version of the paper was already circulating the world.

3. The Calendar: Keeping Time

Imagine living without knowing what day or year it is; how terrifying does it sound? Well, it’s extremely frightening, so we should be grateful for being born in the modern world we’re witnessing today. Because guess what? There was a time when calendars were nonexistent, and people had to wake up in the morning and sleep at night without knowing dates or times.

For once more, the ancient Egyptians saved humanity from what could have induced great confusion by introducing the concept of calendars. It’s one of the greatest ancient Egyptian inventions that has become a staple today. While you use the calendar to mark important Zoom meetings and doctor appointments, the ancient Egyptians used it differently.

Before ancient Egyptians knew dates, they couldn’t time their important holidays and farming seasons. The calendar was their one and only saviour, helping them to time the annual flooding of the Nile, which was crucial for their entire agricultural system.

4. The Barbering Profession & Personal Grooming

Looking back at pictures of people in ancient times, we often see long hair and bushy beards. Yet, that wasn’t the case with the ancient Egyptians; they perceived long hair as unsanitary. So, they were almost always clean-shaven most of the time and kept their hair short. We believe the country’s scorching heat contributed to that grooming preference. 

The ancient Egyptians were the first to invent the sharp stone blades as the world’s first shaving tool. It helped them stay presentable and introduced the world to a different grooming style. Later, they replaced the sharp stone blades with copper-bladed razors, paving the way for a new profession: the barbers.

The ancient Egyptians were the first barbers in the world. Barbering is still a significant profession today, but little do people know that it’s one of the ancient Egyptian inventions. What’s even more fascinating is that this profession rose because the Egyptians fussed over hair, making it a mark of social status. So, those with stubble beards and excess hair were deemed among the commoners, yet noblemen were always clean-shaven.

5. Toothpaste And Mouth Fresheners

Amazing ancient Egyptian inventions may have made the lives of ancient people easier and simpler. Yet, one real struggle that constantly plagued the ancient Egyptians was dental issues. It’s said that most ancient Egyptians suffered from tooth decay and bleeding gums, so they had to devise a solution, inventing toothpaste. 

Toothpaste is an ancient Egyptian invention used for grinding and mixing several ingredients. These usually included dried flowers, pepper, salt, and ashes, creating a paste. Toothpaste was perfect for keeping teeth clean, yet it wasn’t affordable for all social classes. Ergo, a different solution was introduced to those who couldn’t afford toothpaste: mint mouth fresheners. 

Yes, mouth fresheners sound like a modern innovation, but surprisingly, it’s an ancient Egyptian invention. Mint is known to be so refreshing to use for your breath to conceal foul smells, and that’s why it’s used in many kinds of toothpaste. The ancient Egyptians figured that out centuries ago and used min with other flavoured herbs and spices to treat the foul smell of rotting teeth.

6. Door Locks

In our technology-based world, the security system has gone beyond door locks. Yet, we can’t deny the fascination of this invention that kept people safe for centuries before cameras and alarms came into being. Interestingly, door locks are among the most incredible ancient Egyptian inventions. 

They were undoubtedly less complex than today’s locks, yet they paved the way for more robust security systems. Even more, the ancient Egyptians contributed to changing the history of engineering by introducing the Egyptian tumbler lock. It was a massive lock with plenty of pins forming mini bolts. The matching key would lift the internal prongs, allowing the bolts to pull back and opening the door. 

The ancient Egyptians undoubtedly had sharp minds and knew how to protect their treasure. There were guards to protect the kings and queens, but door locks came in handy for valuable possessions. Lock rooms were usually used to store wealth and gold. These locks are still found today inside the Great Pyramids of Giza.

7. Bowling

Bowling is one of the most competitive games in the world today and is enjoyed worldwide. It’s also one of the most unexpected ancient Egyptian inventions enjoyed by other ancient civilisations, like the Romans and the Greeks. We learned about bowling as an ancient Egyptian invention during the 19th-century excavations in Egypt carried out by William Matthew Flinders Petrie. 

The British archaeologist claimed to have surprisingly found balls made of corn husks and leather with string binding them together. Nine stones shaped like vases, resembling the pins of today’s version of bowling, were also found. Before reaching that conclusion, Petrie thought that they were ornaments and decorating objects that the ancient Egyptians used. 

The discovery also involved balls of different sizes and a set of lanes tucked away in a room, resembling the bowling alleys we know today. However, the archaeologists believe that the rules of the game were much different back then. They believe the competitors didn’t take turns rolling the ball like in the modern bowling game, but they stood on opposite ends of the lane.

8. Police Force in Ancient Egypt

The Pharaonic civilisation offered many great concepts and innovations to our world, which are still going quite strong today. When the ancient Egyptian civilisation expanded, it needed organised law enforcement to ensure stability and keep criminals at bay. Thus, the police force came into being. 

Today, the police force is essential in every part of the world; it has become normalised, and we would barely think it was among ancient Egyptian inventions. At first, the Medjay, people from Nubia, were the first to be hired as policemen. Later on, Medjay became the term used to refer to police officers in general, and the profession was no longer limited to the Nubians. 

The policemen of ancient Egypt had specific roles and weren’t concerned with every arising trouble in the country. Their main objectives were to protect the Pharaoh, his palace, and his borders. They were also tasked with guarding the trading ships travelling on the Nile to keep the economy in a prosperous state.

9. Sickness Cure

Medicine is one of the world’s most outstanding fields of science. The medical profession is highly regarded for its invaluable service to society. It’s worth noting that long before medical treatments were introduced, people depended on curing their ailments through magical and spiritual remedies. 

While things changed dramatically, the ancient Egyptians were firm believers in superstitions. However, they took more scientific approaches in parallel with their superstitious notions, introducing the world to actual cures and remedies for illnesses. The whole field of medicine has always been regarded as one of the ancient Egyptian inventions, thanks to their remarkable efforts and contributions. 

The ancient Egyptians were also the first to establish a public health system and their exceptional medical concepts. One of the main reasons that compelled the ancient Egyptians to treat their ill was to ensure they had enough healthy workers to complete their precious tombs. The safety measures they followed to ensure sanitary healthcare were similar to today’s. This means we have all the more reasons to thank the ancient Egyptians.

10. Furniture Pieces

We’re grateful that furniture pieces go way back to ancient Egypt. Otherwise, we would have to sit on the ground or floors like people used to do before those magnificently brilliant ancient Egyptian inventions happened. We took the furniture pieces in our houses for granted, believing them to be a trivial part of our daily lives. But that wasn’t how many people lived in the past. 

Before the ancient Egyptians invented the furniture pieces that we know today, primitive benches and large blocks were there. Then, one day in ancient Egypt, some genius decided to carve items out of wood and alabaster, introducing the art of furniture. Tables and chairs played a vast role in ancient times, with lots of evidence of tables used for dining and playing board games.

Chairs, however, were items restricted to the nobility and the affluent. They were symbols of wealth and high social status. Commoners and farmers used to sit on stools or even on the ground. However, the royalty didn’t only have chairs to sit on; they had them made of gold and ivory with comfortable backs for them to rest. Many may have known that chairs and tables were ancient Egyptian inventions, but a few would know they were luxuries that nobody could afford.

Innovations in Medicine

Ancient Egypt is often regarded as the birthplace of modern medicine. The Egyptians made pioneering advances in healthcare that laid the foundations for medical practices we still use today. They were among the first to develop a scientific approach to diagnosing and treating illnesses, combining empirical observation with spiritual beliefs. Egyptian doctors understood anatomy and were skilled in performing surgeries, including dental work, which was remarkably advanced for the time.

One of the most notable medical inventions was the creation of early surgical tools, some of which bear similarities to modern instruments. They also developed medicinal compounds made from herbs, resins, and minerals, many of which are still in use today. The concept of public health, with its focus on sanitation and hygiene, was also a key innovation of ancient Egyptian society. Medical texts, like the Ebers Papyrus, provide evidence of treatments for various ailments, from simple wounds to complex diseases, demonstrating their sophisticated understanding of health.

Ancient Egyptian Engineering Feats

Ancient Egyptian engineering is best exemplified by the construction of the Great Pyramids, the most iconic of all Egyptian achievements. However, their engineering prowess extended far beyond monumental architecture. The Egyptians were skilled in creating systems for irrigation, water management, and transportation. Their ability to harness the power of the Nile River to irrigate the land was a major factor in the prosperity of their civilisation.

The Egyptians’ engineering feats also included the development of ramps, levers, and other simple machines used to move massive stones. Their expertise in building colossal structures with limited tools shows not only innovation but also a deep understanding of physics. These engineering principles have influenced modern construction methods, with many architectural engineers today drawing on ancient Egyptian techniques to solve complex design challenges.

The Role of Ancient Egyptian Engineering in Modern Architecture

The engineering innovations of the ancient Egyptians continue to influence modern architecture. The use of precise measurements, mathematical calculations, and structural principles established by the Egyptians remains relevant in today’s architectural designs. The iconic pyramid shape, for example, has been widely used in modern buildings, from the Louvre Pyramid in Paris to the modern skyscraper.

Additionally, the principles of creating durable structures, using specific materials to withstand the test of time, and understanding the structural integrity of a building are rooted in the ancient Egyptian approach to construction. The techniques they developed for building the Great Pyramid, with its sophisticated internal structure and alignment with the stars, have become a benchmark for architectural achievement.

How Ancient Egyptians Influenced Other Cultures’ Inventions

Ancient Egypt’s influence extended far beyond its own borders. Its innovations in writing, medicine, and engineering were passed on to other cultures, such as the Greeks and Romans, who adapted and built upon them. The Greeks, for instance, were heavily influenced by Egyptian science and mathematics, and many early Greek philosophers, including Pythagoras and Plato, studied in Egypt.

The Egyptians’ influence on architecture and engineering also spread to the ancient world. The Romans, who were masters of engineering, incorporated Egyptian techniques in the construction of their aqueducts, roads, and monumental buildings. Egyptian innovations in calendar systems and timekeeping were adopted by many civilisations, including the Romans, and are still in use today.

In-Depth Exploration of Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt Through Its Inventions

While the grand monuments and engineering marvels of ancient Egypt often capture the most attention, the everyday life of the Egyptians was equally shaped by their inventions. Basic items like furniture, clothing, and even personal care products were transformed by Egyptian innovations. The Egyptians invented the first forms of paper—papyrus—allowing for the written word to be preserved and shared. This invention not only impacted ancient Egyptian society but eventually revolutionised communication across the ancient world.

Additionally, household items such as chairs, tables, and even beds were seen as symbols of status and comfort. The Egyptians were also innovators in personal hygiene, with the creation of early forms of toothpaste and mouth fresheners to maintain dental health. Their use of cosmetics, perfumes, and grooming tools was advanced for its time and reflects the importance of beauty and cleanliness in their society.

These innovations in everyday life helped improve the quality of life for ancient Egyptians, making them more comfortable, efficient, and connected. The influence of these inventions can still be felt today, as many of the principles and ideas they introduced have been adapted and incorporated into modern society.

As we delve into the depths of human history, one can’t help but be fascinated by the great civilisation of Egypt. Besides the rich history and unique culture, the ancient Egyptian inventions only add to the allure of this delightful ancient civilisation. If you’re an avid history buff with a penchant for unravelling stories in human history, then Egypt is the best place to start your adventure.

Comment on which invention they found most surprising.

For more ancient Egyptian history, check out the Tomb of Queen Nefertari.