Materials:
1. Mud Bricks: The most common material used for building houses was mud bricks made from Nile silt, clay, sand, and straw. Mud bricks were sun-dried and used to construct the walls and interior structures.
2. Stone: Stone, such as limestone or sandstone, was occasionally used for building the foundations, columns, and decorative elements of houses, especially for elite and monumental structures.
3. Wood: Wood was used for door frames, window frames, roofs, and furniture. However, due to the scarcity of trees in ancient Egypt, it was not as widely used as mud bricks.
4. Palm Fronds: Palm fronds were used as roofing material, especially for peasants' homes. They provided insulation against the hot Egyptian sun.
Techniques:
1. Foundation: The first step in building a house was to lay the foundation. This involved digging trenches and filling them with rubble or stones to create a solid base for the walls.
2. Walls: Mud bricks were laid on top of the foundation in horizontal layers, and they were bonded together using mud mortar. The thickness of the walls depended on the size of the house and its intended use.
3. Floors: Floors were usually covered with a layer of mud or sand, and in some cases, they were plastered to create a smooth surface. Wealthier households might use stone slabs or tiles for flooring.
4. Roof: Roofs were typically flat and made from wooden beams covered with palm fronds, reeds, or mud plaster. Flat roofs served as extra living space and were used for various activities such as sleeping and drying crops.
5. Windows and Doors: Windows were small and usually placed high up on the walls to allow for ventilation while maintaining privacy. Doors were made of wood and were often decorated with intricate carvings or paintings.
6. Interior Design: Inside the houses, walls were often plastered and painted with brightly colored scenes depicting religious, mythological, or everyday life. Furniture was simple and functional, consisting of beds, chairs, tables, storage chests, and pottery vessels.
It is important to note that the construction techniques and materials could vary depending on the region, time period, and social class of the inhabitants. Wealthy individuals and the elite often had more luxurious and elaborately decorated houses compared to the homes of the lower classes.