An effective road network evolved very early in Egypt’s history within the Nile valley and grew side by side with the irrigation system. Soil excavated from irrigation channels was placed on both sides of the ditch, forming embankments, and pathways and roads were made on the top. Such raised roads were clear of the water level, even during the inundation, and visibility was excellent from them, making them safer for travelers. The hieroglyph for ‘‘road’’ shows an embankment, with papyrus growing in the ditch below.
From the river valley desert routes branched off from the network of roads. Most routes ran along the dry open valleys now known as wadis, the ground at the bottom of which is usually solid, level, and free of major obstructions. On the east bank of the river routes led to mines and quarries in the Arabian mountains and to the Red Sea, and we know that these routes were well traveled since graffiti dating to all periods of Ancient Egyptian history cover the boulders along the wayside. Wells dug at regular intervals provided water for man and beast. Other routes carried gold from the mines in Nubia, turquoise from Sinai, and produce from Punt and Koptos.
On the west bank of the river, desert routes led to the Kharga and Bahria oases and to all the other great oases, as far south as Nubia. The supply of water was more problematic on these routes, and we know that special way-stations were established to which water was transported, probably using donkeys, and cached for later use. In the north-west, the route to the Mediterranean left the Delta and turned towards Libya, and in the north-east, towards Palestine. The kings of the New Kingdom built a series of forts, with wells, each about one day’s march from the next (around twenty miles) guarding these important routes; along them traveled the Egyptian armies that expanded the Empire and the goods and tribute from conquered countries.
These routes were not generally paved, but the constant passage of men and animals compacted the already hard ground and clearly marked the way. Some are still visible today, even though they have not been used for centuries. In Egypt itself hard evidence for ancient roads is lacking, but in many cases this is because they are still used today, with modern roads following ancient routes. However, one new development in modern research is the use of satellite images, and these have made it possible to identify many ancient tracks or roads which are simply not visible from the ground. Dating these tracks is difficult, but it is possible to differentiate paths made by donkeys from those made by camels (which were not introduced until after the Dynastic Period) which might help dating. Once they are identified and located, study on the ground may reveal archaeological evidence to help date them (Parcak 2004a).
A rare paved ancient Egyptian road survives running from the basalt quarries at Gebel Qatrani in the Fayum towards modern Cairo. It runs for around 11.5 km and is built from flagstones and petrified wood found in the area. It is perfectly straight, and the best preserved parts are 2.1m wide. Artefacts found along the road show that it was in use in the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties of the Old Kingdom, between c.2494 and 2184 BC. Basalt was used extensively during this period, and the stones were dragged on sledges to the shores of Lake Moeris, where they could then be transported by water. Other paved roads have been found in the quarries at Aswan and also connect the temples of Karnak and Luxor in ancient Thebes. Irrigation ditches may have been bridged by simple wooden platforms, but crossing larger irrigation ditches or the river would entail using a boat. The roads away from the river valley and in the desert followed the natural contours and would go around any natural obstacles. Where donkeys could go, man could also go, so roads and pathways could be narrow and steep. It was only the introduction of chariots that required the use of more level ground. Throughout Egypt today many of the pathways are still visible and in use, e. g. on the west bank of the river Nile at Luxor it is possible to tread the same path used by the workmen from the village of Deir el-Medina to the Valley of the Kings.
World History
