--- title: Wooden model of a man ploughing with oxen author: Trustees of the British Museum source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2275/wooden-model-of-a-man-ploughing-with-oxen/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Wooden model of a man ploughing with oxen _Authored by Trustees of the British Museum_ ## Image File [![Wooden model of a man ploughing with oxen](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/2275.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/2275.jpg) ## Image Caption From [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/)[Middle Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Middle_Kingdom/), about 2040-1750 BC An ancient [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) farmer at work This model was originally placed in a [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/). Models showing various stages in the production of food were placed in wealthy burials of the Middle Kingdom (about 2040-1750 BC) to guarantee that the deceased would have food for eternity. The first stage of the process was ploughing. In Egypt this took place when the flood waters of the inundation receded, leaving a thick layer of fertile silt over the whole of the flood plain. The loose soil required only a simple plough drawn by two cattle to create a furrow. Scenes in tombs and on papyrus show that the crop was often sown in front of the cattle, so that they would trample it into the soil. The main crops were wheat and barley for making bread and [beer](https://www.worldhistory.org/Beer/), and flax, for linen, rope and matting. Cattle were the main draught animals of ancient Egypt. It is unlikely that beef was an everyday foodstuff as cattle were expensive to keep, and more useful as a draught animal. Beef was, however, represented as one of the main components of food offerings for the deceased. Models showing the slaughter of cattle for this purpose were placed in tombs, and represented on offering tables in [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) paintings. T.G.H. James, Egyptian painting and drawing (London, The British Museum Press, 1985) M. Stead, Egyptian life (London, The British Museum Press, 1986) ## Cite This Work ### APA Museum, T. o. t. B. (2014, January 29). Wooden model of a man ploughing with oxen. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Museum, Trustees of the British. "Wooden model of a man ploughing with oxen." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 29, 2014. . ### MLA Museum, Trustees of the British. "Wooden model of a man ploughing with oxen." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Jan 2014, . ## License & Copyright © Trustees of the [British Museum](http://www.britishmuseum.org/). Republished under the British Museum [Standard Terms of Use](http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_this_site/terms_of_use.aspx) for non-profit educational purposes. [Original image](http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/w/wooden_model_of_a_man_ploughin.aspx) by [**Trustees of the British Museum**](http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/w/wooden_model_of_a_man_ploughin.aspx). Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 29 January 2014. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.