Pyramids and temples were built for kings and gods. But where did ordinary families live? Their homes were much simpler, and they were made from the ground beside the Nile.
Key idea
Most families lived in houses of mud brick, with a flat roof where people could work, store things and sleep on hot nights.
Why it works
Mud from the river was free and everywhere. Mixed with straw and dried in the sun, it made strong bricks. Thick mud-brick walls kept houses cool by day. Windows were small and set high up, to keep out the hot sun. Stone was hard to cut and carry, so it was saved for things meant to last forever: temples, the gods' houses, and tombs.
Worked example: Why so cool?
It is very hot outside. Why might a mud-brick house with small high windows feel cooler?
- Thick mud walls take a long time to heat up.
- Small windows high in the wall let in little direct sunlight.
Answer: The thick walls and small windows keep out the heat.
Common mistake
Thinking people lived in stone buildings like temples. Stone was for gods and tombs; houses were mud brick. That is also why few ancient houses survive: mud brick crumbles, while stone lasts.
At Deir el-Medina, the village of the workers who cut the royal tombs, archaeologists found whole streets of houses. Most had four or five rooms, a kitchen at the back and stairs up to the roof.