The word woodworker covered a broad range of activity, from elements of house building to fine cabinet-making. Local wood and imported wood from Lebanon and the Mediterranean were used.

On state projects, the tools belonged to the state, not to the individual, and were issued from a central store. Copper and bronze chisels, adze blades and saws would become blunt quickly with use. In some workshops and building sites, a man was employed to sharpen tools so the craftsmen did not have to stop work.