The Nile, which flows northward for 4,160 miles from east-central Africa to the Mediterranean, provided ancient Egypt with fertile soil and water for irrigation

Ancient Egyptian fishermen used several tools to catch fish.  They fished with bronze and copper hooks tied to lines or with sharp, pointed metal harpoons attached to reed poles. From their papyrus rafts, fishermen would cast nets to pull fish from the water.

Fresh fish was often a part of an ancient Egyptian dinner. Fish was also dried or smoked and then stored for future meals.

Birdcatching was important to poorer people who could not afford meat. Catching the wild birds was a real skill. Men threw curved sticks to stun a bird in flight with a careful aim and powerful throw. Luring flocks of birds to fly into nets strung between two posts, or firing small stones at them from a sling, were other effective methods.