Bathrooms through the ages part 2 – Ancient Egypt

In part two of our Bathrooms through the Ages cartoon strip, we focus on Ancient Egypt. A time of Pharaoh’s and pyramids, the ancient Egyptians were surprisingly aware of the benefits of good hygiene and also used cosmetics to enhance their looks.

In Ancient Egypt rich people actually had bathing areas and toilets in their homes. Carved stone baths and basins have been excavated near the ancient city of Tebtnuis and toilet seats were found to have been made from limestone; they would have a container underneath filled with sand which would be emptied regularly.

Those who were not rich enough to have a bathroom in their home would have been content to clean themselves in local rivers or in the sea. For soap, the Egyptians used a mixture of natron, ash and clay which could be worked into a lather for cleaning; this was often scented with flowers, fragrant wood or oils to give it a pleasant smell.

Cosmetics were a widely used commodity in Ancient Egypt, with both men and women and rich and poor using them for aesthetic as well as therapeutic reasons. Essential oils were rubbed into the skin to protect it from the hot air of the dessert, and make-up was believed to have magical and healing powers.

Most Egyptians applied make-up themselves, although the rich often had professional cosmeticians that could make a range of different coloured cosmetics. White make-up was widely used to cover the face while black make-up, made from carbon was used around the eyes. Red ochre was ground up and mixed with water, it was then painted onto the lips as an early type of lipstick and added to the cheeks like a blusher to add colour.

The Ancient Egyptians were quite technologically advanced for the time, able to build huge structures such as the pyramids and sailing boats, and were expert glassmakers. Mirrors were a common sight as well and were made from beating a piece of bronze until it was about 3mm thick and polishing it to a shiny finish.

‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ was a number one hit for The Bangles in 1986; it was written by Liam Sternberg and was influenced by Ancient Egyptian reliefs carved into tombs and monuments across Egypt.

Part two of our cartoon strip is below: