This piece, fashioned from Egyptian Blue and gold, presents a striking image of the head of a Nubian man engulfed by the jaws of a lion. Though compact in scale, the piece is monumental in its ideological intent. Most likely the terminal of a ceremonial fly whisk or whip, the handle is more than decorative;...
Nestled within the arid cliffs of Deir el-Medina, on the west bank of the Nile opposite modern-day Luxor, lies Theban Tomb 8 (TT8), the final resting place of Kha, a distinguished overseer of royal tomb construction, and his wife, Merit. This tomb, remarkably preserved and untouched by ancient looters, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the...
This gazelle figurine, made from the ivory of an elephant and now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (26.7.1292), dates to the reign of Amenhotep III of the New Kingdom, c. 1390–1352 B.C. Carved from elephant ivory, this delicate sculpture stands alert on a wooden pedestal adorned with inlaid blue pigment, depicting flora evocative...
The story of the Ramesside family is one of remarkable social ascent, a lineage that began with distinguished military service and culminated in some of the most celebrated reigns in Ancient Egyptian history. Unlike many royal houses before them, the Ramessides did not inherit the throne through divine birthright or ancient bloodlines. Instead, they rose...
In a remarkable discovery that bridges the ancient lands of the Nile and the Levant, archaeologists in southern Jordan have uncovered a hieroglyphic inscription bearing the royal cartouche of Pharaoh Ramesses III, who reigned from 1186-1155 B.C. This is the first known instance of Ramesses III’s cartouche being found within the borders of modern Jordan,...
Within the Tutankhamun’s tomb, two mummified foetuses were discovered. Known as Mummies 317a and 317b, the female mummies were buried with no namesake alongside their father, and are simply referred to as “Osiris” on their coffins The foetus known as 317a was born prematurely at approximately 5–6 months of gestation. With C.T. scans estimating her...
The Egyptian military estimated the number of those killed in front of the king soon after combat ended by displaying the severed hands of the deceased enemy. This was all but a theory based upon ancient reliefs until 2012 when archaeologists excavating at the modern site of Avaris, Tell el-Daba, unearthed 16 human right hands...
High upon the upper terrace of Hatshepsut’s magnificent mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari lies the central sanctuary, consecrated to the mighty god Amun-Re. His principal cult centre stood grandly across the shimmering Nile at Karnak, on the sun-drenched eastern bank. Each year, in a spectacle both sacred and splendid, Amun-Re’s divine image would make a...
Among the many sculptural treasures of Ancient Egypt, few are as quietly evocative as the statues known as the “Bald One of Hathor”. These figures, though not divine themselves, were profoundly entwined with the sacred world of temple ritual and devotion. Most often depicted as shaven-headed men in attitudes of piety or offering, they represent...
This commanding sculptural fragment represents the head of Amenhotep III, one of the most powerful and influential rulers of Ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty. Now in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, this piece is a testament to the refined craftsmanship and royal iconography of the New Kingdom period. The pharaoh is shown wearing...
