One of the most significant developments of Neolithic Egypt was the emergence of architecture. Early people in Egypt appear in rock carvings, artifacts and building. With abundant interests in the arts. During the neolithic age, the construction of megaliths, and other monumental structures begin. These structures are often associated with religious or ceremonial activities. The people of Egypt had a complex spiritual and social organization. Some of which you can still see and learn about today.

During the Neolithic period, more than 10,000 years ago, the people of Egypt developed new technologies. Such as pottery, grinding stones, and sickles. Which allowed them to cultivate crops such as wheat, barley, and flax. They also domesticated animals, such as goats, sheep, and cattle. It provided them with a reliable source of food, clothing, and other materials and for agriculture. It had replaced much of the culture of hunting, fishing, and hunter-gatherering. Using newer stone tools. It is even believed, neolithic Egyptians begin cattle herding. In the southwestern corner, near Sudan border, before 9000 years ago (or 7000bc).

Desertification around mid to north Africa and the Sahara region increased during the later part of 10,000 years ago. Most agree, early African ancestors were forced closer to water and the Nile river area. Colloquially, it also has proved little in the way of archaeological evidence verifying it. Since so many regions around the Sahara had become arid.

Prehistoric: Neolithic Egypt and Nile
During north Africa’s neolithic period. Temperatures and the climate changed, and people needed something more productive to do. During this time. Humans begin clearing and irrigating the land along the Nile. Many of its spaces were basically unworkable until this begun. It appears that, most of this construction and irrigation, was under way by the 6th millennium (5000bc). By this time, it is known, the Nile area was already engaged in largely organized society. Including agriculture, pottery and buildings. Mortar became widely used by the 4th millennium. The people of the valley and the Nile Delta were self-sufficient.

Egyptian neolithic pottery
There were many styles and types of pottery during Egypt’s neolithic age. And, they became a center point for travel and trade, with other regions.
Between 5500 BC and the 31st century BC, small settlements flourished along the Nile, whose delta empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

Tasian culture
Named for burials found at Deir Tasa. Around 4500 BC. Neolithically emerging, Tasian culture was one of the first. It was a site on the east bank of the Nile between Asyut and Akhmim. They became known for producing the earliest blacktop-ware. A type of red and brown pottery painted black on its top and interior.

Badari culture
Another site was the Badari, near Deir Tasa. Gaving the culture its name. The Badari culture produced a kind of pottery called blacktop-ware. Some scientists say Badari sites were Chalcolithic, while Tasian sites, Neolithic. See 21-29.

Amratian culture
About 120 kilometres (75 mi) south of Badari site of el-Amreh. Amratian gives this culture its name. See 30 and 39. At Amratian, objects were traded between upper, and lower Nile river during this time. Basalt stone vases, copper, jewelry, obsidian, jade, gold, and much more.

Gerzeh culture
Named after the site. Gerzeh culture (“Naqada II”) was a next stage in neolithic Egypts development. As there was a sudden drop in rainfall. The culture switched to agriculture to increase the food supplies. And the settlements grew. Some to 5000 residents (or more). It formed a foundation for copper being used instead of stone. Silver, and gold. Lapis lazuli (amulet stone, imported from Badakhshan, in what is now Afghanistan). And, Egyptian faience . Which was used ornamentally. Gerzeh culture also begin experimenting with makeup.

Just before the first dynasty of Egypt, by the 33rd century BC. Egypt was divided into two kingdoms. In later times, known as Upper Egypt to the south; and, Lower Egypt to the north. The dividing line was drawn roughly in the area of modern Cairo.

Lets hear it for Neolithic Egypt. Its period represents an important phase in the development and growth of civilization. It provides important insights into the origins of agriculture, while also the emergence of settled communities in a great and centralized Neolithic region.

Bibliography: “Ancient Egyptian Culture: Paleolithic Egypt” (https://web.archive.org/web/20100601171500/htt
p://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/egypt/history/paleolithic%20egypt.htm). Emuseum.
Minnesota: Minnesota State University. Archived from the original (http://www.mnsu.edu/emuse
um/prehistory/egypt/history/paleolithic%20egypt.htm) on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2012.

Bar Yosef, Ofer (1998). “The Natufian Culture in the Levant, Threshold to the Origins of agriculture” (https://semanticscholar.org/paper/a55a1fde182dadd5488bce10f3d3b478d6bf47f
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Nicolas-Christophe Grimal. A History of Ancient Egypt. p. 20. Blackwell (1994).
ISBN 0-631-19396-0

Wikipedia contributors. Prehistoric Egypt. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehistoric_Egypt