Contribution to
Subsequent Cultures

Herodotus the great fifth century B.C.E. historian wrote about Egypt that: “Nowhere are there so many marvellous things, as in Egypt, nor in the world besides are to be seen so many things of unspeakable greatness.”

As one of the world's earliest major and long-lived civilizations, ancient Egypt left a legacy of important innovations, discoveries, and contributions that have affected humankind over the millennia. Below is a listings of just some of them:

• While literacy was limited to a small percentage of the population, the large quantity of written material that survives indicates the importance of the written word to the ancient Egyptians. They developed and recorded their writings on papyrus. A by-product they processed from the native plant of the same name. Many of their documents were used for teaching purposes.
• Their mathematical texts taught arithmetic, geometry, even word problems. These and other texts indicate that the ancient Egyptians understood numbers, could add fractions, and could even find the area of a trapezoidal pyramid. Without the advanced mathematics they originated, they would not have been able to build their pyramids and other large structures.
• Medical papyri taught physicians how to deal with both internal medicine and surgery. There were texts devoted to pharmaceutical remedies, dental procedures, and veterinary medicine. These papyri represent some of the earliest known texts on these subjects.
• Religious texts recorded and preserved the major tenets of Egyptian beliefs.
• Literary papyri cover a broad range of subjects including: epics, poetry, wisdom literature (some of which were the forerunners of some biblical proverbs), political propaganda, satire, comic stories, and drama. What may have been the world's first fairy tale also came from ancient Egypt. Oral communication helped spread the literature, and some Egyptian myths appeared later in Roman stories. Collections of assorted texts were deposited in early examples of libraries.
• The ancient Greeks credited the Egyptians with discoveries in the fields of philosophy, art, and science. It is also evident that the early Greeks were influenced by Egyptian achievements in sculpture and architecture. Early Greek statues are clearly modeled on Egyptian statuary. Greek fluted columns are similar to columns constructed in Egypt centuries earlier.
• The influence of ancient Egyptian architecture still exists today. The obelisk, a feature of many temples, is still used as is seen in the Washington Monument. Other architectural examples, such as the temple pylon, figured relief, and columns, have been used in various structures like museums, mausoleums, office and government buildings.
• Ancient Egyptians were masters of the arts of stone-working and metal-working and the production of faience and glass. Their creations and products were used throughout the ancient world.
• Their understanding of Astronomy and Astrology was very advanced, and was passed on to following generations. Through their observations of the Sun and the stars they developed an accurate calendar. Eventually they produced a version of the zodiac.
• The Egyptians had knowledge of the human body, treated illnesses, prescribed medicines, set broken bones, and performed surgery.
• The Egyptians developed a number system based on 10 (similar to our decimal system).
• The Egyptians constructed gigantic pyramids and temples featuring vast halls lined by massive colonnades. Egyptian engineers built dams and irrigation canals.
• The Egyptians were accomplished artists and sculptors. They created huge stone statues. On the stone walls of temples and tombs, artists carved and painted domestic and historical scenes. (Egyptian drawings are distinctive as they show the head and feet in profile with the shoulders facing forward).
• Egyptian workers skillfully designed delicate metal jewelry, elaborate wood furniture, and beautiful pottery.
• The ancient Egyptians were cautious with cultural change except at the technological level. They went to great lengths to prevent disruption in their society. Many of the rituals they performed encouraged continuity with earlier periods of their history that they visualized as ideal.

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