A lazy evening coasting around on the Nile, at the place where the longest river in the world starts its 6695km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Without the Nile, it’s most probable Egypt may never have become one of the most extraordinary civilizations in history. So many stories of faith, leadership and innovation began here. Some of ancient Egypt’s key contributions to the world include:

* They divided day and night into 12 equal divisions, which led to the introduction of the 24-hour day.

* Ancient Egyptians created the first calendar and based it on the flowing of the Nile. They introduced a 360-day year and added five days for holidays and feasting. This calendar was so accurate that it fell short of the true solar year by only six hours. ((which eventually gained 5 more days from the Ancient Greeks). While they did not introduce the 365-day year themselves, they were the first to implement such a concept.)

* Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian priest, became the first person to introduce the concept of documented and systematic medicine. As such, he is often seen as the father of medicine. This led to the use of herbs and surgical practices for certain diseases and the development of the same systematic approach the world uses today.

* Ancient Egypt introduced basic technological concepts that the world still relies on, including ramps and levers, which were used to build the pyramids. Egyptian architects were the first to use stone columns in homes, palaces and temples.

* The ancient Egyptians were among the first civilizations to use mathematical numbers. Historians studying the era believe ancient Egyptians concerned themselves with the practical use of math, such as dividing loaves between people and to assess and collect taxes.

* The ancient Egyptians built the first sailing boats.

And yet, the ebb and tide of this river is a vivid reminder that, like empires and the greatest civilizations, it’s only what we do with the eyes of eternity that will truly stand the crucible of time. Everything else, like the wind that is here now and gone the next moment, is a vexation of spirit and has no lasting value.

A little Trivia: Did you know that the River Nile has frozen over twice: once in the ninth century, and again in the 11th century?