ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Gardens of ancient Egypt

Hey there little buddy! Do you know what a garden is? It’s like a special place where plants grow, and people can enjoy being outside in nature. Well, a long, long time ago, the people of ancient Egypt also had gardens, but they were different than the ones you might see today.

In ancient Egypt, gardens were very important because they were considered sacred and were connected to the gods. They were often found in front of temples, palaces, and even people's homes. They were full of plants that were used for food, medicine, and decoration.

But growing plants in a hot, dry desert climate was not easy! The ancient Egyptians had to be very clever and use a lot of special techniques to make their gardens grow. They dug channels to bring water from the Nile river to their gardens and used special tools to make the soil more fertile. They also used fish and other animals in the water channels to help fertilize the plants.

The gardens of ancient Egypt were full of all sorts of plants. Some were used for food, like figs, grapes, and pomegranates. Others were used for medicine, like aloe vera and garlic. And still others were used for decoration and beauty, like flowers, palm trees, and lotus flowers.

In fact, the lotus flower was very important in ancient Egypt. It was a symbol of creation and rebirth, and was often used in art and architecture. The ancient Egyptians even believed that the lotus flower could help bring them closer to their gods.

So there you have it, little friend! The gardens of ancient Egypt were special places full of plants that were used for food, medicine, and beauty. They were considered sacred and were connected to the gods, and were made to thrive in a hot, dry desert climate using special techniques.