A Taste of the Ancient World:
Farming at Karanis

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Grain Production and Processing

Threshing near Karanis, late 1920s  Archive Photo 806

This photograph, taken during the excavations at Karanis, demonstrates that farmers in early 20th century Egypt used methods of grain processing similar to those employed in antiquity.

Wooden Winnowing Fork KM 3420 1st c BC - 4th c AD Karanis, Egypt	Wooden Grain Scoop KM 3355 1st c BC - 4th c AD Karanis, Egypt

These two objects testify that people at Karanis had a good understanding of the mechanics of both grain harvesting and woodworking. The winnowing fork was used to throw threshed grain into the air in order to separate the wheat from the chaff. The grain scoop was used to load and unload grain. It is important to note that these items were purposefully made of light materials to ease as far as possible the intense physical labor involved in grain processing.

Millet, Lentils, Wheat KM 23209; KM 3880; KM 3954 Transferred to the Museum of Anthropology, 1977 Roman Karanis, Egypt	Nuts, Garlic KM 3919; KM 3913 Transferred to the Museum of Anthropology, 1977 Roman Karanis, Egypt

These plant remains reflect the dietary habits and agricultural activities of ancient Karanis. Cereals and lentils were dietary staples, while nuts, fruits and spices were used sparingly to add variety and flavor. Dry conditions have helped to preserve these fragile plant specimens, and their survival has helped us to reconstruct life in Karanis as it existed over 1500 years ago.

Sieve  KM 3434 Roman Karanis, Egypt

Made of palm leaves and sticks, this sieve (in Latin, cribrum) was an everyday element in grain processing. Used for the final sifting of wheat before grinding, its broad surface area and lightweight material made this type of sieve a very practical tool for the ancient farmers of Karanis.

Limestone Mortar KM 25885 Roman Karanis, Egypt	Granite Pestle  KM 25853 Roman Karanis, Egypt

Considered the predecessor to grinding mills, mortars and pestles were used mainly for crushing, grinding and mixing a wide variety of foods, including grains, olives, grapes, beans, and spices. Even after the introduction of larger and more 'efficient' grinding mills, the portability and versatility of the simple mortar and pestle system kept such equipment in use. Notice that these are not particularly large, and were probably intended only to grind sufficient flour for one family for one day.

Theban Mill in situ at Karanis Archive Photo 5-1571

This type of handmill (also known as a "hopper-rubber" mill), which follows an ancient Egyptian design, was frequently used at Karanis for grinding grain and other foodstuffs. Compare this grinding method with the mortar and pestle shown above, and with an animal powered mill from the area of Pompeii.

Continue with Farming at Karanis.