Like other ancient civilizations, the early Egyptians had a year of 360 days divided into 12 months, each of 30 days. From the period of recurrence of the Nile floods which is connected with the seasons, Egyptians realised early that the seasonal year consisted approximately of 365 days. The Egyptians maintained the old custom of keeping months of 30 days duration and 12 months made a year. But five days were added to the year at the end. These were not attached to any month. After long periods of observations, Egyptians found that the correct length of the year was not 365 days but nearly 365.25 days. But they did not reform the calendar to take into account the extra 1/4 days.
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