Ancient Egyptian Garden Design

Landscape designs in ancient egypt were associated with large gardens and formal landscaping.

Ancient egyptian garden design. A combination of poolside shaded areas to sit in summer along with sunny areas in winter surrounded by flowering woody herbaceous plants with vines and edible fruits in abundance. Garden design in ancient egypt egypt s main artery was the nile the river that fed the narrow valley that is the nile delta depositing rich fertile silt on the land and providing life giving water. Ancient egyptian gardens were characterized by the organic confluence of religious utilitarian and aesthetical functions.

Among the oldest are the gardens at the temples mentuhotep 2156 2005 b c and the park of queen hatshepsut 1504 1482 b c. Gradually as the country became richer they evolved into pleasure gardens with flowers ponds and valleys of fruit and shade trees. Often gardens were laid in symmetric patterns with the the shortest trees beside the pond.

In ancient egypt trees were planted to make sacred groves around royal tombs. Temples palaces and private residences had their own gardens and models of gardens were sometimes placed in tombs so their owners could enjoy them in their afterlife. Almost all egyptian gardens were places of relaxation.

Egyptian gardens were beautifully created with tons of different flowers and trees. Rectangular fish and duck ponds lined with fruit bearing trees were commonplace in the ancient gardens of wealthy egyptians. From a civilization born around the fertile offerings of a river and its delta water features are a staple of egyptian garden design.

Trees were also used in urban gardens to provide shade and there was a conscious preference to included fruit or nut bearing trees. The gardens of ancient egypt probably began as simple fruit orchards and vegetable gardens irrigated with water from the nile. The pond was in the centre of the garden and was often stocked with exotic fish and we re sometimes home to migrating birds.

This rich fertile silt supported agriculture and was used to ameliorate the sandy garden soil.