The people of ancient Egypt formed a productive and industrious society. Working the land and practicing trades and crafts were important parts of daily living. The king owned most of the farmland. This he leased to farmers. In return they paid the king rent and taxes with part of the year's produce. Some farmers planted and harvested fields of flax, wheat and barley. Others raised cattle, sheep, or goats. Butchers slaughtered the animals for food and leather. Weavers used fibers from the flax plant for making linen. Bakers and brewers ground wheat and barley to make bread and beer. Many people tended small garden plots, where they grew onions, beans, melons, and dates.

While much of Egyptian life centered on farming, there were other occupations in towns. Most buildings were made of mud bricks. This kept brickmakers busy. Building huge monuments, like the pyramids and great temples or rock-cut tombs, kept stone carvers, masons and artists employed. Scribes, among the few who could read and write, kept records for the king and courtiers, wrote official papers, and even decorated tomb or temple walls with hieroglyphs. The work force also included carpenters, jewelers, and embalmers.