Oases Were the Main Source of Life-Giving Water and Green Pasture for Camel Herds. The

Oasis

An Oasis is a fertile place (capable of growing food and vegetation) in the desert. Summer days are so hot in Egypt that most rainwater either quickly dries up or sinks into deep underground river channels. Underground water sources make up an oasis. People who live in Oasis settlements in Egypt depend upon these wells and springs to access this underground water. This presence of water is the only thing that made the cultivation (farming) of oasis land possible. Vegetation in oases consisted of date palms, orchard crops (citrus fruits, apricots, peaches, pomegranates, and figs), and common ground crops (wheat and alfalfa). The ancient Egyptians also needed two types of trees that contained sticky substances called frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense and myrrh were used for religious, medical, sanitary, and cosmetic purposes.

Oases were the main source of life-giving water and green pasture for camel herds. The desert nomads moved from one oasis to the next, seeking pasture for the camels to graze. The oases also served as trading centers. Nomads brought camel products such as meat and milk. Then the people at the trading posts would sell and trade these items others. People would trade spices, perfumes, precious metals, ivory, and silk coming from all over the world. Many of these traders traveled great distances to obtain these items.

Two famous spices traded at this time were frankincense and Myrrh. The sweet-smelling smoke of frankincense and myrrh was also used to freshen the scent of unwashed bodies and repelled disease-bearing insects. Frankincense and myrrh were used in potions designed to ease headaches, the pain of childbirth, and joint stiffness. They were also used as an antidote to poisoning, stop nosebleeds, and to relieve coughing and nausea. Finally, People who could afford to used frankincense and myrrh to perfume themselves.

Not too many plants can survive in the harsh desert climate. However, the date palm is well suited for the dry climate of Egypt. It needs water only for its roots, not on its date clusters. Therefore, these plants do well in the desert because they do not need a lot of rain. They are able to use the ground water located at the oasis. Dates are one of Egypt’s chief foods and one of their leading trade goods. They are also used to for building. The trunk of the date palm is used for firewood and for beams in building houses. The leaves are used for thatch (roofing), the fibers for rope, and the stalks for fuel. In addition, the trunk is sometimes hollowed out into pipes and used to carry water for irrigation. Dates are very important to the oasis region. They can use these plants to eat, to cure aches and pain, and to build.