Figure 1: Pectoral of the Sky Goddess Nut, with her name circled. From the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Valley of the Kings, West Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 61944https://old.egypt-museum.com/post/638403734538518528/pectoral-of-sky-goddess-nut This week I decided to explore an ancient Egyptian goddess who played a pivotal role in Egyptian mythology and the cosmos at large. This goddess… Continue reading Nut – Mistress of the Heavens
This week I am taking a look at one type of object and how it changed over the course of ancient Egyptian history. The object I have chosen ? Shabtis. If you have been to a museum with an ancient world or ancient Egyptian collection chances are you have seen a shabti. Shabtis are small… Continue reading The Shabti – a helper for everyday of the year
I promised this a few weeks back and now it's the time for me to cash in on that promise. As March is Women's History month it seems appt to write about one of my favourite ancient women. This week’s blog is all about Nefertari Royal Wife of Ramesses II otherwise known as Ramesses the… Continue reading Nefertari – for whom the sun does shine…
This week I am delving into the world of cosmetics, perfumes and makeup in Ancient Egypt. Now, let’s see how you get glamourous like an Egyptian. From early in dynastic Egypt both men and women included cosmetic items among there funerary equipment; including oils, perfumes, cosmetic palettes and eye paints. The inclusion of these items… Continue reading Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt
Figure 1: A map of the processional ways in the New Kingdom. Kemp, B., 1991. Ancient Egypt Anatomy of A Civilisation. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, p.266. After taking a break for the holidays. I am now back with the second half of my two-part blog focussing on festivals in Ancient Egypt. In the first part… Continue reading Festivals in Ancient Egypt – The Beautiful Festival of the Valley
As our thoughts turn to winter festivities it has got me thinking about festivals in ancient Egyptian. The ancient Egyptians had a number of festivals across the year and in general centred around the ritual procession of a deity’s statue from one temple to another. These festivals performed both an opportunity for commoners to come… Continue reading Festivals in Ancient Egypt – The Opet Festival
This week I am exploring the world of ancient Egyptian bread. I happen to be a pretty keen baker and especially love to make bread so this topic is a melding of two interests. Figure 1: Limestone statue from Saqqara dating to the Old Kingdom (JE 87818) http://www.globalegyptianmuseum.org/record.aspx?id=15271 Bread formed the basis of the diet… Continue reading Bread in Ancient Egypt
It is Halloween this week so it seemed the perfect time to explore the Ancient Egyptians' beliefs around ghosts, ghost stories and curses. There has to be a reason why a mummy is a classic Halloween costume and mummy curses exist. Ghosts in Ancient Egypt Although not referred to as ‘ghosts’ per say, the ancient… Continue reading Ghosts, Curses and Mummies oh my!
The Curious Egyptologist 