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The History of Everyday Life: How Ordinary People Lived Through the Ages
From ancient farmers to modern office workers, people have met their needs during the challenges of their time.
Everyday life is shaped by the time and place people live in, from the food they eat to the clothes they wear.
In ancient Mesopotamia, around 3000 BC, most were farmers. They grew barley and wheat, the backbone of their diet. Beer was consumed as a safer alternative to water. Families lived in mud-brick houses. Their days were spent tending crops. Women ground grain by hand, while men worked the fields.
In Egypt, life revolved around the Nile River. Farmers relied on its annual floods to fertilize their fields. Egyptians ate bread, fish, and vegetables like onions and garlic. They wore linen clothing, suited to the hot climate. Children played with wooden toys. Families gathered for meals in simple homes with flat roofs.
During the Middle Ages, European peasants lived in small villages. They worked long hours in fields owned by lords. Their limited diets consisted of bread, porridge, and vegetables. Meat was reserved for special occasions. Homes were one-room cottages with dirt floors and thatched roofs.
