Mummies have always captivated the popular imagination, wrapped in layers of mystery and terror. However, the reality behind mummies goes far beyond such eerie portrayals. Indeed, the mummified remains of humans represent a unique opportunity to personally connect with the lives and cultures of those who lived over three thousand years ago in ancient civilizations. […]
Ancient Egypt
The Satire of the Trades, the text used for centuries by children in Ancient Egypt to learn to read
For centuries, children in Ancient Egypt learned to read using a text known as The Satire of the Trades, a document dating back to around 2400 BCE. This educational text presents advice from a father to his son, encouraging him to pursue the profession of a scribe by describing the physically demanding nature of various […]
Shabaka Stone, the most notable preserved document of Egyptian thought, recounting the myth of creation
The Shabaka Stone is a granite slab from the 25th Egyptian Dynasty, housed in the British Museum, containing the Memphite theology that regarded Ptah as the supreme god and creator. Ptah was the “master builder”, the inventor of masonry, and the patron of architects and craftsmen. According to some specialists, this is the most notable […]
Original Colors of Inscriptions Revealed at the Temple of Horus in Edfu
A collaborative archaeological mission between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Würzburg in Germany has revealed the original colors of inscriptions at the Temple of Horus in Edfu for the first time. This significant discovery came to light during a restoration project of the temple’s roof, initiated in 2021 and funded by […]
How Were Mirrors Made in Ancient Egypt? An Analysis Reveals the Use of Alloys That Produced Golden or Silver Reflections
The mirrors of ancient Egypt have been the subject of great attention for their cultural importance and their connection to religious beliefs. However, their manufacturing process has not been thoroughly investigated, and only a few have been included in broader analyses. How were these mirrors made? Now, recent research published in the Journal of Archaeological […]
The Enigmatic Cones Worn by the Ancient Egyptians on Their Heads
Some readers, when looking closely at the Egyptian paintings in the tomb of the scribe Nebamun, might be surprised by the strange shapes crowning the figures’ heads. It may seem like they are wearing sirens like those on ambulances, fire trucks, or police cars. Obviously, that’s not the case. It is something more domestic: what […]
The First Egyptian Pyramid Was Built Using a Hydraulic Energy System
A recent study conducted by Xavier Landreau and other researchers has presented an innovative theory about the construction of the first Egyptian pyramid, the Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, proposing the use of a hydraulic system as a key tool in the construction process. The article, uploaded by its authors to Research Gate, is based […]
Harpedonaptai, the Indispensable “Rope Stretchers” of Ancient Egypt
In the long and fascinating history of Ancient Egypt, there were figures without whom many monumental and artistic achievements would not have been possible. Moreover, without them, chaos would have taken over the Nile country year after year, making them essential for maintaining order. We are not talking about the pharaohs or the priests. We […]
Surprising Contents of an Egyptian Cat Mummy Discovered Through Virtual Reality
The Rennes Museum of Fine Arts has recently unveiled a fascinating discovery about the contents of an ancient Egyptian cat mummy, thanks to an innovative virtual reality project. The cat mummy in question is part of the extensive Egyptology collection at the Rennes Museum of Fine Arts, which has its roots in the 18th-century cabinet […]
The Frenzied Life of Ptolemy Ceraunus, the Man Who Ended the Last Successor of Alexander the Great
He was disinherited from the Egyptian throne, organized an expedition to overthrow his brother-in-law in Thrace, murdered the ally who helped him, married his own stepsister, killed her children, briefly ruled in Macedonia, and ultimately lost his life because, in his reckless impetuosity, he did not wait for reinforcements in his last battle, ending with […]