Egyptian Agriculture

Agriculture first emerged in the Nile Valley around 5000 B.C. From the very beginning the communities of the Delta and Nile Valley realized that if they were going to have an efficient irrigation system then they would have to work together. Archaeologists have discovered limestone scenes that depict the ruler Scorpion initiating an irrigation program in 3200 B.C. These early Egyptians constructed earthen dikes that divided the rich Nile River Valley into compartments of different sizes. When the river rose the water was diverted into these areas through a system of canals.