How were Egyptian farmers able to produce enough food to create a surplus?
(4 points)
1) Effective irrigation systems: Egyptian farmers were able to utilize the Nile River's annual flooding and develop a sophisticated system of canals and ditches to distribute water for irrigation. This allowed them to cultivate a larger area of fertile land and increase crop yields.
2) Advanced agricultural techniques: Egyptian farmers were skilled in techniques such as crop rotation, using animal manure as fertilizer, and controlling pests and diseases. These practices helped them maintain the fertility of the soil and ensure successful harvests.
3) Intensive labor: Egyptian society was organized in a way that allowed for the mobilization of a large labor force, which could be employed in agriculture. The Egyptian pharaohs and ruling elites supervised the farming activities and ensured that enough workers were available to cultivate the land, plant and harvest crops, and build and maintain irrigation systems.
4) Surplus management: The ruling elites in ancient Egypt implemented systems to manage and store the surplus food production. Granaries were built to store excess grains, and taxes were levied on farmers to collect a portion of their harvest. This surplus food was then used to support the non-farming population, such as craftsmen, officials, and military personnel, as well as to trade with other regions.