Ancient Egyptian Farming: Shaduf's, Waterwheels and Irrigation
Discover how ancient Egyptian farmers used the River Nile to grow food—and how their irrigation tech is still used in Vietnam today.
Download the Free Activity Pack + Build Your Own Shaduf → Coming Soon
In this episode of the 'How to Be a Pharaoh' project, Mr. Bradley takes us deep into the muddy world of ancient Egyptian farming. You'll explore how the Nile River shaped Egyptian agriculture, the technologies farmers used to survive and thrive, and why many of these clever irrigation methods are still used in places like rural Vietnam today.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
- The essential role of farmers in ancient Egypt’s social pyramid
- How the Nile’s flooding cycles supported food production
- Ingenious technologies like the Shaduf, Noria, and irrigation canals
- A cross-cultural look at how these methods live on today
📥 Free Classroom Resources
Don’t forget to download the activity pack and lesson materials to extend the learning. Great for classrooms, homeschooling, and project-based learning!
https://www.learningmadefun.net/
🎮 Challenge Time!
Try building your own Shaduf using household materials and test how irrigation works in real life!
🎬 Watch More From the Pharaoh Project Series:
▶️ Episode 1: The Pyramids of Power → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsZijOB35bo
▶️ Episode 2: Daily Life → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzUmLlz_wFY
▶️ Episode 3: Mummification → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7nzSMBm5Hk
▶️ Episode 4: Temples & Priests → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jhmKuf8JiQ
▶️ Episode 5: Scribes & Hieroglyphics → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm8qGWSMMbo
▶️ Episode 6: Soldiers & Weapons → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjvnpFm3dVY
▶️ Episode 7: Merchants & Traders → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zdici6CmAc
▶️ Episode 8: Craftspeople → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gwIGl3v3k
▶️ Episode 9: Presenting Your Work → Coming Soon!
🔔 Subscribe & Join the Royal Court → https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBradleyLearningMadeFun?sub_confirmation=1
📢 Connect with Mr. Bradley & Learning Made Fun:
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lmf_learningmadefun/reel/CxnUN5HRGXI/
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551111404116
🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lmf_learningmadefun
🐦 Twitter → https://www.instagram.com/lmf_learningmadefun/reel/CxnUN5HRGXI/
📩 Email us for collaborations → [email protected]
🛍️ More Teacher Resources → https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/learning-made-fun-mr-bradley
✨ Support on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/MrBradleyLearningMadeFun?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator
⚠️ Disclaimer: Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Mud, Sweat, and Nile Water
00:55 – Meet the Ancient Egyptian Farmers
02:10 – Why the Nile Was Egypt’s Lifeline
03:30 – Farming Seasons: Akhet, Peret & Shemu
04:15 – Technology 1: The Shaduf
06:00 – Tech Spotlight in Vietnam
07:10 – Technology 2: The Noria (Water Wheel)
09:00 – Technology 3: Ancient Irrigation Canals
10:30 – Modern Vietnam: Ancient Ideas Still in Use
11:45 – Recap & Final Challenge