they ate with
their fingers?

the king was the
only landholder?

the Sphinx is
estimated to be
4,636 years old?

glass-making originated
in the form of beads?

the stool was the
most common piece
of furniture?

the most popular
animal was the cat?

the mummifying
process lasted
about 70 days?

Weddings- There has been little information found describing marriage in ancient Egypt. Marriage contracts have been found, however it is thought that they were only drawn up if there was to be a change in the normal marriage. If a couple were not married to someone else, and over the age of consent, they were considered married if they lived together in the same house. A legal document was not necessary. The age difference between the couple was usually about two to three years. Divorce contracts could be initiated by either the man or woman as proof in case they wanted to remarry. It is not known if a girl needed permission from her family to marry. It is also unknown if there were celebrations or parties connected to marriage. Many ancient paintings and statues convey love and respect between a husband and wife.

Children- During birth, Egyptian mothers and midwives used the help of goddesses to protect the new child. A carved ivory wand was often placed on the mother's stomach for further protection against evil. After naming the baby, the parents would register the information with the authorities. The Egyptians would tie amulets (each for a different god) around parts of the child's body. At play, the children enjoyed balls, wooden dolls, and board games. When children were about five, they would work and help their families. Only wealthy boys would attend school.

Food- The traditional foods of the ancient Egyptians were often shown in drawings inside their tombs. The drawings told of the feast that the deceased would be offered in the afterlife. From this, we know that fish, bread (made with wheat), barley, and vegetables were very popular. Meat was eaten but it was expensive due to the dry conditions for raising cattle. It was saved for special occasions. Oil, salt, and honey were also used to enhance their food. Beer was made from the barley. Dates and figs were a favorite for dessert.

Clothing- The majority of Egyptian clothing was made from linen, which came from the flax plant. The clothing itself was plain but accessorized with beaded collars and jewelry. The wealthy wore long robes which were transparent and pleated. Most slaves worked naked, but other workers would wear loincloths/apron or tunics. Most people went barefoot, but the rich would sometimes wear sandals made of papyrus, palm and leather. Jewelry was not a status symbol and was worn by both rich and poor. Men and women wore make up on their eyes and lips. They also wore wigs.

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