Ancient Egypt refers to the civilization that existed along the lower Nile River in Northeast Africa around 3100 BC to 30 BC. The ancient Egyptians had a prosperous agriculture-based society thanks to the fertile soil deposited by annual Nile floods. Their staple diet consisted of bread and beer made from cereals like emmer, kamut, and grains. Religion was also very important in ancient Egypt, which had a polytheistic system worshipping around 700 gods and goddesses over most of its history, with a brief period of monotheistic rule.