If you have a predilection for history and for plants that have, in some way, a legend or an importance that transcends time, then surely, if we talk to you about the Most admired trees in ancient Egypt you will be interested.
And, in general, there are many ancient plants that, in their day, were highly acclaimed and used. Now, although not so much, there are still those who venerate them because they know the history behind them. Shall we start?
Plants in ancient Egypt
If we look back and gather information about the lifestyle in ancient Egypt, one of the most important elements for them were the gardens. Keep in mind that Egypt was and is an arid land, so having a garden meant you had enough money and power to afford it.
Thus, The gardens were not only an aesthetic element (for those wealthy), but it was also a source of food, medicine, worship...
Within its construction, it was necessary to have a shaded area, but as for the plants, trees, etc. They were grown to give freshness to the area (in addition to using them for the uses that we have given you).
Through the paintings on the walls, the reliefs, the remains of seeds and plants, we can know which ones existed in Ancient Egypt, or at least those that were most present in society. And before you get the wrong idea, gardens weren't just a "rich" thing, they were Even the most humble had some, even if they were only in pots.
What trees were the most admired in ancient Egypt
Have you ever thought about the type of trees (or plants in general) that other cultures would use thousands of years ago? In the case of ancient Egypt we cannot say that there is much information, but Yes, one can draw from the writings and paintings which were some of those most admired trees. Here we leave you a list of them.
Palm of Dum
Present in Upper Egypt, Kenya and Sudan, it is one of the most striking palm trees, especially because it has branched stems (something that does not normally occur among the palm family).
Aesthetically, as we have told you, it is a palm tree that differs from others in that it has several stems, all of them branched. The branches are arranged as if they were bouquets and have a rosette of fan-shaped leaves, but rather medium in size. As it matures, the palm tree produces fruits that are oval and reddish. They have a light aroma and are edible (in fact, they were not only eaten raw, but also served as an ingredient to make drinks (with honey)).
It easily reaches 15 meters in height.
date palm
Another of the common palms in Ancient Egypt was the date palm. It is a very common tree in that area, quite tall (it reached 30 meters high) and also large, arched and pinnate leaves.
When it bloomed, its flowers were white and in small groups. And you are They gave rise to edible fruits, dates, reddish in color, very sweet and with a seed.
Persecute
Continuing with the most admired trees in ancient Egypt, the persea was actually a variety of a tree from the United States, the avocado. It was highly appreciated aesthetically, but it also had uses that other trees did not have. For example in Its leaves were written with the names of the pharaoh when he was crowned.
As well The branches were used to make decorations or garlands for the pharaohs themselves.
Physically his size was quite tall. The leaves were oval and evergreen and the fruit was yellow or green, rounded and edible. Because it was a tree related to the pharaohs, fruits, branches... of it have been found in the tombs.
Sycamore
The sycamore is something similar to a fig tree. But we must warn you that its fruits are not as rich or tasty as figs.
In Ancient Egypt this was one of the most common trees that It was found in many Egyptian gardens, especially because it was related to the goddess Hathor., the goddess of music and love, but also of prophesying the death of people (and of life because she attended births). Specifically, she had seven "manifestations."
The natural habitat of the sycamore is in Syria, Sudan, Egypt and some areas of tropical Africa. Physically, it is a straight, wide tree, with a very branched and very wide crown, which gives a fairly large shadow around it. It can reach 10-13 meters in height and its leaves are olive green. It produces fruits that are small and edible, called sycones.
Tamarisk
The tamarisk was another of the trees of ancient Egypt, although it was rather considered a shrub. It reached eight meters in height and branched a lot.
The bark of the The trunks were dark brown, sometimes purple, which contrasted greatly with the leaves, which were helical and had a greenish and brownish tone. In its time it bloomed with small white or pink flowers, always arranged in clusters. And after these came the fruits, which were elongated, light pink capsules, where the seeds were housed.
Their natural habitat in ancient Egypt was in the area closest to rivers, but it was common to also see them in gardens as a decorative element.
Cedro
Finally, we can talk to you about cedar. At that time, because the wood was widely used for the construction of typical Egyptian elements (boats, sarcophagi, furniture...) and also its resin to create an ointment for mummification, it was a highly admired tree.
Aesthetically it was a "great tree." It reached 50 meters in height and its erect trunk was grey, smooth and shiny when it was a young specimen.; and when it began to mature it would crack and flakes would appear. As for the leaves, they were bluish in color.
Now that you know what type of trees were the most admired in ancient Egypt, would you dare to have any of them in your garden?