Egypt Museum

ritual

Khonsu

The moon god of Ancient Egypt, radiant son of Amun and Mut, and the silent companion of night travellers. Khonsu’s name meant “the traveller,” for he wandered nightly across the sky, marking time and guiding the tides of life and magic.

Often shown as a young male with a side-lock of youth and a lunar disc atop his head, or sometimes even as a falcon-headed figure, Khonsu was not only a celestial being, but a healer, an exorcist, and a protector against evil spirits.

In temples like that of Karnak, he was worshipped with mystery and reverence, his moonlit presence thought to hold sway over sickness, dreams, and divine power. He was the protector, providing a sacred glow to the Egyptian night.

The Heb-Sed Festival

Queen Elizabeth II reigned for over 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history and one of the longest in the world. Only a few monarchs, such as Pepi II of Ancient Egypt (who is traditionally said to have ruled for 94 years) are believed to have reigned longer, though ancient records are...

Sacred Lakes

The concept of the Sacred Lake (Ancient Egyptian: “She-netjer”) dates back to the earliest phases of Ancient Egyptian religious architecture, likely as far back as the Old Kingdom, c. 2686–2181 B.C., though surviving examples are predominantly from the Middle Kingdom onward. These man-made bodies of water were typically constructed within temple precincts, mirroring the primordial...

Woman offering Incense

The limestone ostracon (Musée du Louvre. E 14337) from Deir el-Medina, depicting a woman presenting a cup and vase before a figure holding a smoking bowl, likely represents a domestic or ritual offering scene. The woman’s pleated dress, perfume cone, and lotus flower suggest she is engaged in a ceremonial act, perhaps making an offering...

Kohl

In the world of Ancient Egypt, kohl was far more than a mere cosmetic; it was an essential element of both daily life and spiritual belief. This fine black powder, traditionally made from galena (lead sulphide) or stibnite (antimony sulphide), was ground into a fine pigment and mixed with oils or resins to create a...

Mummy of a Dog

This mummy of a juvenile dog was discovered in the necropolis of Asyut during Ernesto Schiaparelli’s excavation between 1910 and 1912. Now housed in Cabinet 51 of Room 11 at the Egyptian Museum of Turin (Museo Egizio. Suppl. 11005), the animal’s form is modest in scale, measuring 28 by 44 centimetres, yet richly evocative of...

Cows & Bulls in Ancient Egypt

In Ancient Egypt, both cows and bulls held significant cultural, religious, and symbolic importance, though their roles and perceptions were quite distinct. Bulls were used in religious ceremonies not only because of their association with deities but also due to their symbolic representation of strength, fertility, and life’s renewal. Their sacrifice was a way to...

Ramesses II and Offering Table

Ramesses II and Offering Table

This limestone statue, which stands at 171cm tall, depicts the 19th Dynasty king, Ramesses II, knelt before a hes-vase shaped offering platform, whilst the king himself holds an offering tray. The bottom has been restored onto a modern platform, but the rest of the statue is in remarkable condition. Ramesses II can be seen wearing...