It is this annual flood that makes the land fertile allowing it to be cultivated and civilization to exist.
Since the ancient times, the Egyptians depended on the Niles flood and its regular return for their sustenance.
But the flood was unpredictable.
If the river failed to rise, it caused drought and famine.
The Egyptians therefore began measuring the Niles water level to make it predict the harvest.
Nilometer on Elephantine Island.
The royal priest monitored the day-to-day level of the river and kept records.
It was his duty to announce the awaited arrival of the summer flood, or lack of.
Later these columns began to be housed inside elaborate and ornate stone structure.
One such nilometer can still be seen on the island of Rhoda in central Cairo.
Although this nilometer was constructed in 861AD, it was built on a site of an earlier specimen.
Nilometer on Elephantine Island.
View from the top of the steps.Photo credit
Photo credit
The Nile near the bottom of the nilometer steps.
