We are only a couple of weeks old summer in the northern hemisphere and we already have to deal with Heat waves. There are currently 9 autonomous communities in Spain that are on high alert due to high temperatures, so citizens are warned to take the necessary precautions. If we think about it, today it is relatively easy for us: we have air conditioners, refrigerators, lightweight fabrics designed to breathe as much as possible… We could believe that in the past there was a heat wave similar to the one we are suffering now. would have wiped out the population, but the truth is that for sure ancient societieslike the Romans or EgyptiansThey knew very well how to deal with high temperatures.
The Egyptians, for example, were real professionals in this regard. Their architectural skills They are more than famous. Not only because of the pyramids, temples or obelisks. The residences themselves, although not luxurious, had everything necessary for a comfortable life for their inhabitants. This, naturally, was more common among people of high social class, but the poor also had their tricks.
On the other side, They knew how to dress themselves, comb their hair, and feed themselves. to better cope with the heat. Let’s not forget that they lived in the middle of the desert. They may not have had the same recurring heat waves as the ones climate change is bringing us, but they knew all too well the damage high temperatures can cause. Let’s see what they did to cope.
Heat-resistant houses
Despite the region being in a very dry area, it is estimated that the temperature in ancient Egyptian homes rarely rose above 22°C. This was possible due to a wide range of technologies that allowed for cooling. Some of these were as simple as choosing building sites, which were usually near the river. But that wasn’t always possible, so there were plenty of other tricks that would come in handy even if you had to deal with heat waves.
Let’s start with the fact that most of the designs were made with clay brickswhich helped maintain a lower temperature. They also had designs designed to bring fresh air inside, the most common of which is wind holes, wind catchers and malkaf.
The first were simply holes made in strategic areas to create cold air currents inside the houses. On the other hand, wind catchers were tubes that went up to the top of the building, caught the wind and then directed it inside. Finally, malkafs were carpets that were placed on wooden frames on the roofs of houses. facing the windso that when they move they let cold air in.
Also, continuing the theme of carpets, they were often used wet reed matswhich were placed on door and window frames so that this humidity would cool the environment. Finally, some people placed clay pots filled with cold water, which also cooled the surroundings of the rooms, softening the impact of the warm wind.
Clothes and hairstyles for the occasion
Slaves and poor people in ancient Egypt often worked completely naked. It is true that we cannot do this in the heat, but the view of nudity was different at that time.
In any case, people of higher social status wore Lightweight clothing, Men often wore bare-chested tunics. Women wore tube-shaped tunics with straps that slightly covered the chest to keep cool.
When it comes to hair, it’s for both rich and poor. they shaved him so that they would feel less warm when they were at home. When they left, they used wigs beautiful and bejeweled for the richest people and made of wool for the poorest. Wigs varied, but everyone preferred to shave them.
Shopping malls with air conditioning
Who hasn’t walked around shopping malls during the heat just to enjoy free air conditioning? This may seem like a recent trick, but it’s quite old.
Egyptian merchants built bazaars under large tarpaulins that the shops were kept in the shade so that the neighbors would want to stroll around and buy something that caught their eye.
During hot periods, you have to keep food cold
Today we have freezers and refrigerators that help us prevent food from spoiling quickly. These inventions did not exist before. However, the ancient Egyptians had their own tricks to cool down what they were going to eat.
For example, a trick they shared with the Romans was to place two terracotta potsone above the other. A mixture of sand and water was placed in the space between them, and the food they wanted to preserve was placed on top. In order for the water to evaporate, it needed heat, which was absorbed from the environment, leaving the top pot much colder.
Holidays at sea
Today, those who can afford it have second homes on the seashore, which will come in handy during the hot weather. Cabo de Gata, Benidorm, Costa del Sol… There are many places in Spain where such housing is abundant.
In ancient Egypt the situation was not so different. People in high positions had second or even third place of residence in places like the Red Sea or the Mediterranean. They were much cooler there during the high temperatures. The poorest didn’t have that option, but they always had wet rugs and shaved hair. Everyone did what they could. More or less like us now.
Source: Hiper Textual
