Summary

• Foundation of Trade in Ancient Egypt: Ancient Egypt’s trade began in the Early Dynastic period, driven by agricultural development and animal husbandry. It expanded significantly throughout the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, with trade elevating due to advancements in art, architecture, and administration.
• The ancient Egyptians traded a wide range of goods, including wood, metals, jewelry, precious stones, animals, agricultural products, and transportation technologies.
• Trade was centrally managed by scribes representing kings or priests, without middlemen. Trade routes were crucial, with land and maritime pathways enabling extensive international exchange.
• Egypt established robust trade networks with various regions, including Nubia, Punt, Byblos, Canaan, the Aegean Islands, and the broader Mediterranean.
• Trade significantly influenced Egyptian culture, economy, and technology. It enriched the Pharaoh’s wealth, supported monumental construction projects, and fostered innovation in craftsmanship, artistic styles, and technologies like shipbuilding and navigation.
• The vibrant trade era of ancient Egypt concluded with the Roman Empire’s control after Cleopatra’s death in 30 BC.

Ancient Egypt enjoyed an abundance of natural resources and wealth but wasn’t able to achieve self-sufficiency, so it relied on trade, which is considered to be one of the most vital aspects of any civilization, whether it was on a local or international scale.

The geographic strategic location of the ancient Egyptian kingdom opened the door for international trade, which elevated the lives of everyone who took part in it. For three millennia, ancient Egypt traded countless goods with various kingdoms like Nubia, Kush, and Punt.

History of the Ancient Egyptian Trade

The history of the ancient Egyptian trade goes back to the time of the Early Dynastic period (3050-2686 BC), which marked the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Then followed the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC), where trade increased because of the elevation of art and architecture and the centralized administration of agricultural products. In the middle kingdom of ancient Egypt (2134-1690 BC), Nubian gold and minerals became valuable trade goods. During the new kingdom of ancient Egypt (1549-1069 BC), the import of bronze and exotic woods plus the restoration of historic trade routes and networks, towards the end of the new kingdom between 672 BC and 332 BC, Egypt fell under the control and conquest of Assyria, Babylon, and Macedonia that brought new trade opportunities but was surrounded by great oppression of the Egyptian public.

During the Ptolemaic dynasty (332-30 BC), trade rose to a new level after the establishment of the city of Alexandria, which was considered a second capital of the Hellenistic times; the city was a symbol of art, culture, a foreign power, and trade center of Chinese silk, Asian gems, hardwood from northern Europe and spices from the far orient. The trade of ancient Egypt had its ups and downs, but it all came to an end after the death of Cleopatra in 30. After the Egyptian trade attracted traders from Phoenicia, Greece, Persia, and India, everything became under the control of the Roman Empire for many centuries to come.

The Types of Goods that the Ancient Egyptians Used For Trading

The types of goods they traded were diverse, reflecting Egypt’s rich resources and the various needs and luxuries of the ancient world. Here are some of the primary goods ancient Egyptians used for trading:

● Wood

Ancient Egyptians had most of everything they needed within their country’s bordures, but their environmental condition prevented some goods from existing in a mass quality, like wood, which existed of inferior quality and was the main material used for the creation of ships, houses, and furniture, so in the old kingdom, Egypt established an economic relationship with the Byblos kingdom on the Lebanese coast which became one of its closest allies for two millennia. The ancient Egyptians imported cedar wood, which was used to build naval ships defending the country against foreign forces like the sea people. They also imported numerous varieties of hardwoods like ebony and fragrant wood from Africa.

● Metal

Egypt didn’t enjoy a rich quality of metal; it had a small number of gold deposits with little silver, iron, copper, and lead, which didn’t fully satisfy the country’s metallic needs. Egypt began the conquests of Nubia and the Sinia and exploited their gold and copper mines, which had positive improvements and international consequences. The ancient Egyptians shipped the copper from Cyprus, and they used significant amounts of gold that were traded with Asiatic kings to gain their political support in favor of the Egyptian empire. Asiatic copper was a natural bronze alloy that was produced using tin.

● Jewelry & Precious Stones

The ancient Egyptians took a major interest in precious stones and luxury goods. The land of the punt was the main source of resins of myrrh, frankincense, and fragrant wood, which was used as incense and the preparation of certain products. They imported lapis lazuli from the northern land of Kush in Bactria. From eastern Iran and Afghanistan, vegetable oils, eye paints, and cosmetics were imported. During the Roman era, glass products were manufactured in Alexandria. Many materials like Turquoise, gold, agate, carnelian, and other precious gems were carried on the Oxus road from the Persian Gulf overland to Egypt or by ships around the Arabian Peninsula or the Canal of Nile-Red Sea.

● Cattle & Animals

Many animal products from West and South Africa found their way to Egypt, like Ivory, ostrich feathers & eggs, and leopard and lion skins. Many cattle and animals were introduced to the ancient Egyptian kingdom, like horses, which appeared for the first time in the 13th dynasty and were highly famous in the time of the Hyksos; chickens were brought from India in the new kingdom, and camels became very common in Egypt during the Persian conquest. Also, a number of domestic animals, such as donkeys, goats, sheep, dogs, and cats, were introduced to Egypt in prehistoric times.

● Agriculture & Crops

Egypt was the leading producer of grains in the ancient world, but they did not have enough corn, which was imported from the ancient kingdom of Lebanon. It also sold dates abroad all across the Roman Empire. Egypt was the only producer of papyrus in the Mediterranean region. It produced some sort of paper and remained the main writing material in Europe until the end of the Middle Ages, and it was marketed in the form of long rolls. Egypt also exported artifacts, as in Byblos of Levant statues and sarcophagi have been found, and amulets, scarabs, and rings were found in Malta, plus beads made from faience and torch holders. With the land of punt, Egyptian weapons, jewelry, and mirrors were exchanged with frankincense, exotic woods, and ivory.

● Transportation

Ancient Egypt was successful in controlling the flow of goods all over the world from Africa to Europe and the Near East. They transported their merchandise by ship as in the Ptolemaic dynasty, and the lighthouse of Alexandria was constructed to symbolize the extreme value and importance of shipbuilding and sea trade as the lighthouse was used to facilitate and increase the goods transported from all the corners of Africa, but the ancient Egyptians also resorted to other methods as the limitations of the ships rigging prevented them from sailing into the wind and the storms of the Mediterranean and the red sea & the cataracts of the Nile. The alternative methods were the crossing of the eastern and western desert, camels and caravanserais were ideal, and the usage of chariots, which took full advantage of the wheel technology between 1674 BC and 1549 BC.

● System of Management

The concept of trade can be defined as an exchange of goods between merchants, which was solely handled by scribes as representatives of mainly the kings or the priests. Trade was organized by a central authority, and there was no trace of middlemen to profit from these exchanges. In short, there were no government-sponsored incentives for trade in ancient Egypt, as the king owned all the land and the entire produce. The king was ordained by the gods and served as the mediator between the gods and the public; he, therefore, was recognized as the land’s legitimate steward. But in reality, from the time of the Old Kingdom onward, the Cult of Amun owned large tracts of land that were tax-exempt. Since there was no law prohibiting priests from engaging in trade, and the entire profit went to the temple instead of the crown, it allowed the priests to live as extravagant as royalty. The traders in ancient races, like the Asiatic merchants who traded Iranian goods of metal and precious stones into Egypt to protect the merchants and the trade, a police force and armed guards protected the caravans from theft, the border crossing, collected tolls and kept a close eye on everyone who might cause them harm and damage.

Ancient Egyptian Trade Routes

Trade was able to leave a lasting impact on ancient Egyptian society, art, and technology, plus the entire world, as trade made the whole world like a small village where traders and merchants took many routes across land and waters to export and import their goods. There used to be a historically significant land route that passed through Wadi Hammamat, thus connecting the Nile River to the Red Sea, dating back to pre-dynastic times. This pathway facilitated travel from Thebes to the Red Sea’s Elim port and contributed to the growth of ancient cities along its route. During the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2700 – 2500 BC), the Darb el-Arbain served as a vital trade route for various commodities like gold, ivory, spices, wheat, animals, and plants. This route linked Kharga in the south to Asyut in the north, thus becoming a crucial passage between Nubia and Egypt. Egyptians displayed early maritime prowess, constructing ships around 3000 BCE through the innovative method of binding wooden planks and filling gaps with reeds. The Mediterranean Sea established trade with powerful civilizations across the Mediterranean, including Byblos (known for its cedar wood), and the Aegean islands provided access to new resources and cultural influences.

Many historical figures like Pharaoh Sahure of the Fifth Dynasty and Queen Hatshepsut engaged in maritime trades in all directions. Sahure dispatched ships to Lebanon for cedar and to the Land of Punt for myrrh, malachite, and electrum. Queen Hatshepsut famously organized expeditions to Punt for myrrh, expanding Egyptian trade to regions now known as modern-day Somalia and the Mediterranean. The roots of the Suez Canal’s concept trace back to the ancient era, which aimed to link the Nile River and the Red Sea for strategic and commercial purposes with beliefs suggesting that Pharaohs Senusret II or III from the Twelfth Dynasty initiated an early form of the canal project which inspired the creation of the Aswan High Dam in the 60s.

Countries & Partners Ancient Egyptians Traded With

The ancient Egyptian traders established a massive network across Africa, the Near East, and the Mediterranean, where all kinds of goods were traded, and the fate of the world was changing for the better. Egyptian traders went all across Africa by land and water, which included Nubia, found in southern Egypt, where materials like gold, ivory, ebony, and precious stones were provided all the time. The land of punt in modern-day Somalia or Eritrea was a trade partner that offered Egyptians myrrh, frankincense, resins, and exotic animals like baboons and giraffes. Near East Africa, the kingdom of Byblos, present-day Lebanon, was a crucial partner for the Egyptians, providing cedar wood that was used in creating ships and coffins. The kingdom of Canaan was the main source of wine, olive oil, and textiles that enriched the lives of Egyptians and fueled their export trade.

The lands of Syria and Mesopotamia were the main providers of metals, glass, textiles, and even horses, plus the cultural and knowledge exchange was able to influence art, architecture, and religious beliefs on both sides. The connection between Egypt and the Islands of Aegean was deep, where pottery and papyrus were exchanged at that time. The Phoenicians were renowned traders in the Mediterranean and had trade relations with Egypt, exchanging goods like cedar wood, glass, and dyes. The Minoans from Crete were also part of the trading network with Egypt for goods like pottery, metals, and possibly luxury items. The one thing that ancient Egyptians traded with all their partners and neighboring countries included ideas and technologies.

Ancient Egyptian Trade Ships

Egypt’s strategic location between Africa, Asia, and Europe enabled it to become a significant trading hub in the ancient world for centuries as the Nile River facilitated this trade by providing a natural transportation route for goods to move in and out of Egypt plus the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea enabled the exchange of these goods with their neighboring countries in the most ideal and swift manner. They used various types of boats and ships for trade, which included Papyrus Boats, which were among the earliest vessels used by the ancient Egyptians.

They were made from bundles of papyrus reeds lashed together and could range from small, simple boats to larger vessels used for trade along the Nile. River Boats, on the other hand, were designed for navigating the Nile River and were usually flat-bottomed with a simple design suited for calm waters. Seagoing Ships were built for maritime trade in the Mediterranean Sea as they were sturdier and capable of handling rougher waters. Cargo ships were used to transport goods, including foodstuffs and luxury items like gold, ivory, spices, and other materials for trade along the Nile and across the Mediterranean.

How Trade Affected Ancient Egyptian Culture

Trade was the magical door that opened a whole new world filled with endless riches that led to the entire evolution and development of the entire ancient Egyptian civilization by transforming Egypt into a powerful regional force. Trade played a highly important role in the flourishing of the economy by exporting and importing valuable resources like gold, papyrus, linen, grain, ivory, timber, and incense, thus bolstering the Pharaoh’s wealth and enabling the construction of incredible monumental projects like pyramids and temples. Trade also offered the chance for all professionals of craftspeople, artists, and shipbuilders to harness and enhance their skills by working on different and more luxurious materials, thus fostering a vibrant culture of innovation and refinement in craftsmanship by developing new artistic styles, techniques, and technologies like shipbuilding, navigation, metallurgy, and agricultural methods.

The way the ancient Egyptians expressed their art changed with time through trade, as seen across the artistic and architectural works of the ancient Egyptians in Upper Egypt. Trade is able to create a bridge where it is easy to exchange ideas and beliefs about ancient deities, myths, and religious practices from neighboring cultures often infiltrated ancient Egyptian religion thus adding new layers of complexity, meaning, and diversity. Interactions with foreign traders enriched the Egyptian language with loanwords and contributed to the development of the complex hieroglyphic writing system, and the inspiration of the creation of other writing systems in different countries. Trade also led to the creation of many political and diplomatic relationships between many countries that made many periods of prosperity and peace. The spread and rise of trade brought changes in the rigid social hierarchy by creating the middle class, merchant class, and elite class.

Ancient Egyptian Trade Facts

• Egypt’s location along the Nile River made it a hub for trade. The river provided a natural route for transportation and facilitated trade between the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Egypt was famous for exporting various goods, including papyrus, linen, grain, gold, ivory, precious metals, and stones like limestone and granite. Papyrus, used for writing and making scrolls, was one of the most significant exports.
• Luxury items like incense, spices, ebony, and other exotic goods from far-off lands were also traded in Egypt. These items were highly prized among the elite class.
• Trade significantly contributed to the wealth and prosperity of ancient Egypt, allowing them to acquire rare resources and establish their dominance in the ancient world.
• The Nile River was not only vital for transportation but also for agriculture. It facilitated the movement of goods from Upper Egypt to Lower Egypt and helped sustain a surplus of agricultural products for trade.
• Ancient Egypt traded with neighboring regions such as Nubia (present-day Sudan), the Levant, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean civilizations (Greece, Rome, and Phoenicia). They had extensive trade relations with regions as far as the Indus Valley.
• Trade often occurred through a barter system where goods were exchanged directly, but there was also the use of standardized weights and measures for more complex transactions.
• Key trade routes included both overland routes and maritime routes. Overland routes connected Egypt to Nubia and the Levant, while maritime routes connected it to the Mediterranean, allowing for trade with Greece, Rome, and other Mediterranean civilizations.
• Ancient Egyptian cities like Memphis and Thebes were significant trade centers. Ports like Alexandria, situated on the Mediterranean coast, played a crucial role in facilitating international trade.
• Trade wasn’t just about goods but also about cultural exchange and diplomatic relations. It led to the sharing of ideas, beliefs, technologies, and customs among civilizations.