//Skip to content
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

From Kohl to Toothpaste: 8 Ancient Egyptian Inventions That Stood the Test of Time

August 25, 2023
Ancient Egyptian temple of Dendra. Photo credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg.

The ancient Egyptians were faced with the monumental task of forging their own paths of innovation, prompted by necessity, curiosity, and a desire for progress. The Egyptians, alongside the Sumerians, were in the unique position of having to invent or discover fundamental concepts and technologies from scratch, as opposed to later civilizations that could build upon the foundations established by others. The enduring impact of ancient Egypt extends well beyond the passage of time, leaving a lasting imprint of innovative creations that continues to influence contemporary society. To honor this millennia-old civilization, here are eight inventions created by ancient Egyptians. Kohl A remnant of ancient Egyptian heritage that still lives on to this day, kohl dates back to 5,000 B.C. The term ‘kohl’, derived from Arabic origins, refers to various eye cosmetics and preparations applied over the eye to enhance lashes and brows and to outline the first’s contours. The ancient Egyptians ingeniously blended soot and the mineral galena to produce a black ointment. Additionally, they created green eye makeup similar to mascara by combining galena with another mineral called malachite. The Plow Researchers in anthropology and archaeology consistently uncover…


Hi guest,

You've read all of your free articles.
Subscribe now to support independent journalism and to enjoy:


Unlimited access to all our articles

Exclusive events and offers

First access to new premium newsletters

Ability to comment on articles

Full user profile