Race in Ancient Egypt - Research Paper Example

There are various theories that seek to establish the origins and hence the race of the people of Egypt. This paper will seek to demonstrate that the ancient Egyptians did not originate from one specific race. It will seek to demonstrate that the ancient Egyptian population resembles a melting pot, where groups from different regions were integrated into the Egyptian population. Background In terms of geography, the ancient Egyptians regarded Egypt as being divided into two kinds of land. These included the ‘red land’ and the ‘black land’.

The black land comprised the fertile lands along the banks of river Nile. The ancient Egyptians used this to grow crops (Shuter 1999). It was the only land that could be farmed. This is because the soil was comprised of a rich layer of black silt. This was deposited when the Nile flooded. The red land referred to the barren desert on the two sides of the black land. The deserts separated the ancient Egyptians from invading enemies and surrounding countries. There were also sources of semi-precious and precious metals.

However, before the days of the pharaohs (before 5000 BC), Ancient Egypt is believed to have been fertile and full of vegetation (Shuter 1999). In these times, there was no need to settle along the Nile. Many hunters and gatherers tribes conglomerated around in a nomadic fashion. Most of these are believed to have been of different origins and ethnicities. . Those from the south (Upper parts of Egypt) originated in Nubia. Therefore, they had curlier hair and darker skin. In 3100 BC, Narmer united the land and commenced the Pharaonic period.

Henceforth, the geography of the country changed, and ancient Egypt became one country. Today, the distinction of tribes can be seen in Egypt. The people who inhabit Aswan and Luxor are predominantly of Nubian influence. Those from Cairo or Alexandria are predominantly of Arabian influence. As seen above, River Nile had an imperative role in unifying the various tribes and races. The Nile River would flood on roughly yearly basis. After flooding, it created a fertile strip of land by the provision of silt.

In this fertile strip, the Ancient Egyptian races would grow fruits and vegetables. Farming brought different races together in Ancient Egypt. In the period of the Pharaohs, everyone was made to gather crops together in harvesting season (Shuter 1999). The economy of ancient Egypt was based on grains and wheat. For over 5000 years, the farmers created a civilization that was based on the union of the Nile River and the land. Important crops harvested during this times included emmer, barley, wheat, flax, papyrus reeds and castor oil.

Some of these were exported to outside lands such as the Roman Empire. Race is an ill defined concept which is used to describe a population. In the ancient times, race was first recognized, described and finally classified using arbitrary and non-scientific methods. Despite the methods used to classify humans, there is substantial evidence that the human race originates from a single species. Biologists describe race as the difference in gene frequency in a given population. The difference is attributed