During 12000 BC early people settle in the fertile Nile valley. Around 7000 years ago changes took place when some of these people began to farm land. They planted wild wheat seeds and cultivated the cereal plants which grew.
Before that Egyptians adopted a complex of crops including emmer wheat that was domesticated in southwest Asia between 9000 and 7000 BC.
By trial and error over centuries efficient methods of cultivation and processing were developed by Egyptians.
By choosing seeds form healthy plants their corps became strong and gave a good return of grain.
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| Harvesting wheat |
Farming became the main business of ancient Egypt. They also grew flax and barley in large amounts.
Emmer remained virtually the only wheat until Roman rule established durum as the main cereal crop.
In pharaonic Egypt, they transformed emmer wheat and other cereals into bread and beer, the staples of their diet.
Only the middle and upper class used wheat for making cakes while the poorer made do with cakes of barley.
Allotment of grain including wheat also often served as the wages for workmen and artisans.
Wheat in ancient Egypt
