The Historical Influence of the Nile Valley - Dissertation Example

The Nile River in ancient Egyptian Civilization The Egyptian civilization consists of so many wonders, developments, establishments, and artefacts of evidence of its past activities to the extent that there is not proper documentation of all these features and its historical development. The era of establishment of the region ranges back from 6,000 to 332 years B.C. (Tignor 13). The pre-dynastic periods of the region hold as much history as the post dynastic period of the region. The entire origin and establishment of the Egyptian civilization originates from the establishment of the Nile Valley as the source and centre of all engagements describing history of the region. Thus, in this realization, the objective of this dissertation is to access, analyze and describe the influence of the Nile Valley in the process of establishment of the Egyptian civilization. In establishing the processes of influenced by the Nile Valley (River) in the establishment of the region to the extended dynastic establishments, the timeline ranges from the ancient periods in which various activities and establishments occurred, taking root in the development of each of the histories of the region. Describing the influence from the perspective of the various timelines, it incorporates the Pre-dynastic period, in which there did not exist much of the region as a dynasty. Then there is early dynastic period, followed by the establishment of the Old Kingdom. There are several intermediate periods between the transitions of the kingdoms up to the New Kingdom and later the Late Period. In the context of all these periods, it is notable the Valley and its endowments in wealth and resources facilitated the establishment and evolution of various artefacts of the Egyptian civilization (Subias, Fiz & Cuesta 31). Such areas of influence include it influenced the political arrangements and establishment of the region, aspects of immigrations, population composition, agricultural establishments, as well as, social and economic developments of the civilization process. In influencing the development of the region, the region historically indicates that it attracted proto-humans and human groups who roamed the region as foragers. The aspects of global climate and environmental impacts range back to 10,000 B.C. in which various changes resulted, including the influence of de-glaciations in Europe, which increased rain Africa, called the pluvial period. Further, there was cooling, causing decreased rain in Africa; hence, aspects of desiccation and desertification of the Sahara began (Sonneborn 132). These periods coincided with the establishments of the Neolithic revolutions. Consequent to these developments, population immigrations increased, pitting people moving from the Sahara to the west, while others moved and settled along the Nile Valley for their establishment, eventually resulting in the dynastic periods, in addition to, the various activities of civilization of the region. Several factors of consideration contributed remarkably to the establishment of the various activities of the region as known today in history. Notably, in influencing the processes of settlement of the people in the region, various features of the Nile River facilitated the civilization processes of Egypt and the entire Nile Valley region. In effect of the various climatic and environmental changes in the region, this triggered a wave of demographic changes in the region (Sonneborn & Samuel 89). As the changes occurred, particularly the advent of desertification of the Sahara, bands of immigrations constituted some of the people moving from the Sahara to the West region. Additionally, the east and southlands swelled with populations of people, all seeking the amenities of the microclimate of the Nile Valley to facilitate their every existence. Additionally, the Neolithic revolution increased the population of the region accordingly, as people sought to advance their sedentary life. They settled along the Nile Valley, moving from the end of the region towards the interior of the Valley. These immigration processes constitute the population civilizations and beginning of the social complexity development of the Egyptian civilization, all caused by the Nile Valley and its features that supported life of the people accordingly. In view of the social complexity of the Egyptian civilization, the notable influences of the Nile Valley in its process include, the increased immigrations into the region resulted in the emergence of the State Society. It facilitated the shaping features of the cultural landscape, political units and claims of sovereignty and command allegiance. These factors constituted the establishment of the various dynastic periods, as politics took focal point in leading the civilization processes. As the settlements developed in the region, the people had realized the calamities that resulted from the frequent floods of the River (Subias, Fiz & Cuesta 39). Thus, from this finding, the people developed the knowledge of control of the Nile floods. The cooperation marked the communal basis for the origination of the rest of the Egyptian civilization. The communities began cooperating in the control of the calamities. The demographic change also contributed to increased competition for the natural resources (Wengrow, 78). The increased competition also heightened the potential for the development of conflict. The conflicting aspect instituted the establishment of the region in terms of preparation and organization for war. Each of the communities strengthened their weaponry and war knowledge, in preparation for the potential conflicts. This further increased political unit’s establishment as the communities realized the need to make alliances and cooperation in protecting their space. The cooperation among the people led to strengthening of unity among the people in the region (Trigger, 518). Further, the factors of Neolithic revolutions also constituted specialization accordingly in the various fields of engagement. The people some specialized in agriculture, others in artefacts and artwork as well as other fields of development. All these developments, all influenced by the Nile Valley led to the eventual birth of the Egyptian state and Civilization of the region between 3,500 and 3,000 B.C. The highlight of the Egyptian Civilization entails the various aspects of engagement and interaction among the people as they as the region established itself as a state. The various regions that constitute the historic features include the fields of religion, architecture, political system, agriculture, technology, astronomy and science and medicine. The process of the Valley Civilization began from the northern peak of the Nile River (Trigger, 478). The region protected by water and desert enabled the progress of the civilization of Egypt and the surrounding states. Geographically, the Nile valley influenced the civilization of the place in terms of agriculture and technology accordingly. The flooding of the region between the July to November annually caused its share of negatives and positives. It provided new, rich oil for the Egyptians as well as washing away waste to the seas. Thus, the people developed art of agriculture, in rearing animals and planting crops. Additionally, it allowed for cooperation in building dykes and developing irrigation techniques; hence, developing the technology progress of the region. Economically, the inhabitants of the valley civilization relied heavily on farming. Thus, the valley provided the rich fertilized lands for crops from the seasonal flooding, as well as water for irrigation during the dry period (Malkowski 67). Thus, this fostered the economic success of the region leading to the civilization of the region accordingly. The Egyptian civilization would not exist without the people knowing how to harness the body of water availed by the Nile Valley to transform the surrounding sand region into a thriving empire. The consistent freaks of nature allowed the communities that constituted the Egyptian state to harness various capabilities for the Nile River. Another notable impact of the Nile Valley in the civilization process of the region is the service of the waters for the purpose of transport. The waters were not only for agriculture, but also the community around the region explored the resource for transport. Transport and movement of people and goods constituted essential feature and contribution to the civilization process, as interactions and trade had to take place between the people from the opposite sides of the valley (Van Pelt 523). Additionally, people travelled down the valley to trade with those in the south regions. Thus, this significant roadway allowed for the development of travel and communication capabilities, influencing the rate of the civilization process. The Nile Valley served the function of connecting the various portions of Egypt, allowing for trade and communication among other activities that highlight the Egyptian civilization processes. An additional impact of the civilization process from the Nile Valley is the establishment of astronomy and the time aspect. Egyptians have the credit of making initial calendars. The art of making calendar developed from the influence of the Nile, as they needed to track the flooding period to establish accurately the days to plant. Thus, the astrologers observed that the years consisted of 365 days, with 12 months and 30 days each month. The final five days fell at the end of the year. Notably, the flooding facilitated the establishment of the calendar (Wilkinson 134). Further, again the Nile provided the paper needed for recording the calendar, as the banks of the Nile provided large reeds called papyrus. The Egyptians developed means of turning the reeds into flattened material for writing. Consequently, the English word “paper” originates from the Greek word “papyrus.” Thus, the Nile Valley influenced the establishment of the tracking of time inform of calendars, as well as, initial writing material. The papyrus also facilitated the transport through construction of boats, baskets, mats, rope and sandals. Thus, the Nile River facilitated the growth and development of these civilization arts developed by the Egyptian people. Lastly, in establishing the political strength and safety of the region, the Nile Valley provided security on the eastern side of Egypt, with the sea and the desert of dunes providing security barrier on the other sides (Van, 78). Thus, Egypt established itself concentrating its efforts in growing the state accordingly. Thus, in this concept, the Nile Valley served for protection purposes to aid in the growth of Egypt. Thus, with the provision of the various necessities from the Nile Valley, the Egyptians concentrated their attention to developing fields of art, government, religion, and philosophy, factors needed to foster the civilization process. Eventually, the mummies, pyramids, Sphinx of Giza and Cleopatra constituted the flourishing culture of the region. The historical influence of the Nile Valley with respect to the development of the Egyptian civilization continues to date. The development of settlements along the Nile influenced the development of urbanization in Egypt, as it contributed to the factors of trade, transport and assess to the natural resource of water. The river is a proof of the maxim that water is life, in view of its significance to Egyptian civilization. Thus, notable form the various features and developments in the Egyptian Civilization, the Nile Valley was the most remarkable facilitator of the development. The civilization of Egypt would never be without the Nile River. It indeed facilitated the establishment of the Egyptian Civilization to the success of the region. The Nile River forms the basis and shape of the Egyptian Civilization, culture and society. Works cited Malkowski, Edward F. Ancient Egypt 39,000 Bce: The History, Technology, and Philosophy of Civilization X. Rochester, Vt: Bear & Co, 2010. Print. Sonneborn, Liz. The Egyptians: Life in Ancient Egypt. London: Lerner, 2010. Print. Sonneborn, Liz, and Samuel Hiti. The Egyptians: Life in Ancient Egypt. Minneapolis: Millbrook Press, 2010. Print. Subias, E., I. Fiz, and R. Cuesta.. “The Middle Nile Valley: Elements in an Approach to the Structuring of the Landscape from the Greco-Roman Era to the Nineteenth Century.” Quaternary international 312.LAC 2012: 2nd International Landscape and Archeology Conference, Berlin (2013): 27-44. ScienceDirect. Web. 6 May 2014 Trigger. B.G.; The Cambridge History of Africa: The Rise of Civilization in Egypt, Volume 1, 1982 print. Pages 478-546 Tignor, Robert L. Egypt: A Short History. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2011. Print. Van, de M. M. A History of Ancient Egypt. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Print. Wengrow, D. What Makes Civilization?: The Ancient Near East and the Future of the West. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print. Wilkinson, Toby A. H. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: The History of a Civilisation from 3000 Bc to Cleopatra. London: Bloomsbury, 2010. Print. Van Pelt, W. Paul. “Revising Egypto-Nubiam Rletaions in New Kingdom Lower Nubia: From Egyptianization to Cultural Entanglement.” Cambrdige Archological Journal 23.3 (2013): 523. Publisher Porvided Full Text Searching File. Web. 6 May 2014. Read More