What was silt used for in Ancient Egypt?

Ancient Egyptians used Nile river silt to grow crops and to create pottery. One of the most common types of pottery made in ancient Egypt is called Nile silt ware, and was made from Nile river clay. The pottery turned a red-brown color after it was fired in a kiln.

Ancient Egyptian crops grew in Nile-river silt after the river flooded each year. This silt sat on the only land able to be farmed in the entire country, because the rest of Egypt was a desert. Lotus plants often grew in the silt. Ancient Egyptians recognized the lotus as a symbol in their ancient religion.