Ancient Egypt News 10/07/2019

Emulation Hall: Egypt Style for Sale in Canterbury at Old Masonic Hall
Ian CurrieSource:News Limited

A former Masonic temple that wouldn’t look out of place on the streets of Cairo is for sale in Melbourne’s leafy east.

The 1927-28 Emulation Hall is sure to catch buyers’ eyes, being decked out in Egyptian motifs including gold-winged scarab beetles, sacred serpents, astrological symbols, lotus flowers, winged discs and “the eye of Horus”.

This “rare and distinctive” Egyptian Revival style saved the Canterbury curiosity from imminent demolition in 2012, earning it heritage status for being of architectural, historical and aesthetic significance to Victoria, according to the Heritage Database.

Hieroglyphs in Scripophily Deciphered !
Crédit Agricole d'Egypte 1 Share of 4 Egyptian Pounds, 1951 

Antique securities from companies that operated in Egypt were typically illustrated with pharaonic themes and hieroglyphs. Standing on their own as true pieces of artwork, their mysterious designs made possible investors dream of promising outcomes. People bought these share certificates in the 19th and 20th century when the stock exchanges of Alexandria and Cairo flourished. But are the hieroglyphs on these certificates actually legible?

New Books in Egyptology (July-August 2019)

Every two months the Nile Scribes update our readers on the most recent Egyptological publications. From popular reads to peer-reviewed scholarship, we hope to illustrate the wide variety of topics discussed in Egyptology, and perhaps introduce you to your next read! Below are 10 books that were released this summer (July and August).

• Writing, Violence, and the Military: Images of Literacy in Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt (1550-1295 BCE)
• Greco-Roman Cities at the Crossroads of Cultures: The 20th Anniversary of Polish-Egyptian Conservation Mission Marina el-Alamein
• Perfekt, Pseudopartizip, Stativ: Die afroasiatische Suffixkonjugation in sprachvergleichender Perspektive
• Le temple de Ptah à Karnak III
• The Egyptian Collection at Norwich Castle Museum: Catalogue and Essays 
• The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Moon: Coffin Texts Spells 154–160
• New Horizons: The Pan-Grave ceramic tradition in context
• Stone Tools in the Ancient Near East and Egypt
• The Tekenu and Ancient Egyptian Funerary Ritual
• The naos of Amasis: A monument for the reawakening of Osiris

Several Missions Launched for the New Archaeological Season in Luxor

The new archaeological season has begun, showing promise in Luxor, the capital of world tourism. There are currently five archaeological missions, including three Egyptian missions, one Spanish, and one American conducting excavations there. Several new mission and

projects have been approved for the new season.
Luxor is known for its rich tombs and pharaonic temples, which all seem like they will see a strong tourist season.

An Eerie Egyptian Burial Found With Nonsense Hieroglyphs on The Coffin
J. Dąbrowski/Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology

Note: What the Petrie Museum had to say about this article on their 'unofficial' Facebook page: The discovery of this cemetery is very interesting, but nonsense hieroglyphs really aren't unusual despite the way this is reported. There are many examples during mature Egyptian dynasties, and this burial is from the Graeco-Roman period. The use of blue is also interesting as black would have been a much more accessible ('cheaper') colour, so maybe not quite such a non-elite burial.

When ancient burials are discovered in the sands of Egypt, the stories we hear are usually similar. High-ranking officials and nobles buried with rich grave goods, elaborate coffins, and often cartouches naming the deceased, so we know who they were. But a recent discovery paints a rather different picture.

Archaeologists have found dozens of 2,000-year-old burials near the necropolis of Saqqara that are much more minimal, even clumsy. Perhaps this is the resting place for people from the working or middle class, rather than the elite.

Ruins of Ptolemy IV Temple Unearthed in Sohag

The ruins of a temple belonging to King Ptolemy IV have been unearthed during an excavation at Kom Shaqao, Sohag by a mission from the Antiquities Ministry.

Parts of the ruins had been discovered by chance during the supplying of sewage lines in the city of Tama, Sohag early in September.

The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa al-Waziry said in a statement on the ministry’s official Facebook page that the sewage work was immediately stopped by a task team from the Ministry of Antiquities, assigned to conduct archaeological excavations in the area.

An Unforgettable Trip at Online Casinos With Doom Of Egypt

Pack your bags for a memorable trip to ancient Egypt by Play ‘n Go which is the best to bring you on this Egyptian adventure. Doom of Egypt is a combination of several Ancient Egyptian themed slots produced by Play’ n GO throughout the years. The amazing theme is among the most well-known in the world of online slots. Ancient Egypt portrays a time of exuberance, of astonishing riches and hidden treasures. They have successfully given us Egypt-themed slots like Leprechaun Goes Egypt, Legacy of Egypt and, of course, the biggest hit and the all-time favorite Book of Dead.

Archaeologists Reveal the Face of an Egyptian Princess

Archaeologists have revealed the face of an Egyptian princess who lived almost 4,000 years ago by painstakingly piecing together the wooden shards of her sarcophagus.

The fragments expose the likeness of a royal, possibly Princess Hatshepset, daughter of Pharoah Ameny Qemau, who lived towards the end of Egypt's Middle Kingdom.

Her image will be seen for the first time on Channel 4's Egypt's Lost Pyramid programme, which follows the two-year excavation and study of the royal's final resting place.

Amazing Ram-Headed Sphinx Linked to King Tut’s Grandfather Discovered in Egypt
Robert Mittelstaedt/Gebel el Silsila Project

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a large ram-headed sphinx that is linked to King Tutankhamun’s grandfather.

The sphinx, which is 16.4-feet long, 11.5-feet high and 5-feet wide, was found beneath several feet of debris at Gebel-el-Silsila, an ancient quarry on the Nile. Only its head was visible prior to excavation.

The sculpture is believed to be from the time of King Tut’s grandfather, the pharaoh Amenhotep III, who ruled in the 14th century B.C.

Unpacking 19th Dynasty Coffin (video)

The unpacking of the 19th Dynasty coffin of Sennedjem upon arrival at the National museum of Egyptian Civilization.(NMEC) The fumigation of his mummy.

Ancient Egypt News 09/23/2019

Egypt Historian Uncovers ‘Underground Paradise’ 138 Metres Below Valley of the Kings
Photo from Tour Egypt: The Tomb of Seti I

An Egyptian historian was granted access to a tomb in the Valley of the Kings that has been marked unsafe for years, and she uncovered an "underground paradise".

KV17, located in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, is the tomb of the Pharaoh Seti I of the Nineteenth Dynasty. It was first discovered by Giovanni Battista Belzoni on October 16, 1817, but has been closed since the early 1960s due to significant damage to the structure. However, historian Bettany Hughes was granted special access during the filming of her Channel 5 show “Egypt’s Greatest Treasures”.

El-Kurru’s Carved Graffiti Reveal Another Side of Ancient Nubia
The funerary temple and the largest pyramid at El-Kurru. COURTESY GEOFF EMBERLING

ANWAR MAHAJOUB GREW UP IN the village of El-Kurru, Sudan, along the Nile between its Third and Fourth Cataracts. Besides at its delta, which offers a flourish of emerald where the river meets the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile is almost entirely bordered by just a thin band of foliage, beyond which are the sepia sands of the Sahara. For centuries, the desert has obscured and protected the tombs of kings, riverside temples, even entire ancient cities. Mahajoub grew up next to one of these sites, so it was never obscured to him. Recent excavations there have made the tombs and world of ancient Nubia—specifically the Kingdom of Kush that ruled over it for hundreds of years—feel even closer.

Colossal Statues, Obelisk Arrive at GEM from Egyptian Museum

A collection of four gigantic objects have arrived at the Grand Egyptian Museum for eventual display on the museum’s grand staircase.

They include two rosy granite colossi of Senosert I, a 20-tonne red granite triad statue featuring Ramses II between deities Ptah and Sekhmet, and the top of a Hatshepsut obelisk, weighing 14 tonnes,

Crocodiles Were So Revered in Ancient Egypt That They Were Hunted, Killed and Mummified

One day several thousand years ago, an Egyptian mummy supplier crept up on a wild crocodile and bashed it with a club, fracturing its skull and killing it.

The animal was quickly taken to be processed. Its damaged skull was fixed. Its body was treated with salts, oil and resins, and wrapped in multiple layers of linen.

Its last meal was still in its stomach.

The demand for mummified crocodiles was intense in ancient Egypt.

Was Ramesses II Really that Great?
Photo © Michalea Moore

Emma Slattery Williams considers whether the fêted pharaoh – master builder, war hero and peace broker – was actually a brilliant propagandist who knew how to curate his image.

Ramesses II is often counted among Ancient Egypt’s greatest pharaohs. He certainly saw himself that way: he spent most of his reign covering his kingdom in monuments dedicated to himself. The third ruler of the 19th Dynasty had an unusually long kingship, fathered hundreds of children and – if you believe his own press – was a mighty warrior who could hold his ground against an entire army. “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings,” wrote Percy Bysshe Shelley in his 1818 poem Ozymandias, adopting the name the Ancient Greeks used for Ramesses II. “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Zahi Hawass Reveals Details of Tutankhamun Opera

Note: The article has a video about the opera. 

Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, the former Minister of Antiquities, revealed the details of “Tutankhamun opera “, scheduled to be displayed on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Dr. Hawass will write the script of “Tutankhamun opera “.

During a phone call with TV anchor Amr Adieb during El Hekaya program broadcast on MBC Misr satellite channel, Hawass said that opera Aida was produced 148 years ago and must be changed, pointing out that the new opera is named “Tutankhamun”, because he is the hero in the new Egyptian Museum.

Mystery Box from Tutankhamun’s ‘Cursed Tomb’ Opened for First Time Ever on Camera

A MYSTERIOUS box found in the tomb of the Ancient Egyptian pharaoh King Tutankhamun has been opened for the first time on camera.

The 3,500-year-old artefact is believed to have been a linen chest used by Tut's wife – who was also his half-sister – to store her lavish outfits.

The Latest Discoveries in Egyptology (May-June 2019)
Scenes of animals and other plant life feature in the many rock art scenes found near Aswan (Photo: Ahram)

Every two months, the Nile Scribes bring you summaries of the latest news and discoveries in Egyptology, both from the field and the library. We introduce you to the newest archaeological finds or rediscovered artefacts from museum collections, plus other new theories stirring in the Egyptological Zeitgeist.

The beginning of summer has revealed a wide array of new finds including brightly-decorated coffins, parts of an older church hiding under a basilica, and a large amount of rock art near Aswan.

Ptolemaic temple Was Uncovered in Sohag
File - Ptolemaic temple

An ancient temple dating back to the Ptolemaic era was uncovered in a house in Sohag Governorate .

On September 11, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mustafa Waziri said that the stones that were found in the village of Kom Ashqaw in the center of Tama, north of Sohag , is formed of limestone.

The limestone was discovered during the work of a contracting company to complete the sewage project in the village.

Restoration Begins of More King Ramses II Statues at Luxor Temple
Statue of Ramses II. (Shutterstock)

Egypt has begun a new international project in Luxor with the collection, restoration and reinstallation of two statues of King Ramses II.

The plan follows the restoration and assembly during the past three years of three statues of the ruler at Luxor Temple.

During his recent visit to Luxor, Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani gave the green light for the restoration of two more statues of the pharaonic king at the western side of the temple.

10 Best Armor Sets In Assassin’s Creed Origins, Ranked

Assassin's Creed Origins represented a turning point for the Assassin's Creed series. A departure from the style of gameplay that the franchise had become known for, 2017's Origins puts players in the shoes of Bayek of Siwa; a Medjay of Ancient Egypt and a proto-assassin doing assassin-like things before the Brotherhood had even been established.

An Ancient Egyptian sheriff of sorts, Bayek travels far and wide to avenge his son's death at the collective hands of the Order of the Ancients, a mysterious and dangerous collective of proto-templars. Unsurprisingly, it is a pretty big burden for Bayek to bear; traveling around Egypt and righting wrongs is hard work, but he still manages to get it done and in style. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 best armor sets in Assassin's Creed Origins because what good is getting revenge on the people responsible for your son's death if you don't look good while you do it?

Moon Knight Reveals Khonshu's Previous Avatars


In the Marvel Universe, the ancient Egyptian lunar god Khonshu has been reimagined as the society's God of Vengeance who selected Marc Spector and his dueling personalities as his avatar to deliver bloody justice to the world as Moon Knight.

However, Moon Knight Annual #1, by Cullen Bunn, Ibrahim Moustafa and Matt Horak, reveals that Spector is far from the first individual in history to be chosen as Khonshu's champion on Earth. And, with the fate of the entire time stream at stake, Spector finds himself partnered with them all as he battles a classic villain through time and space.

Ancient Egypt News 09/09/2019

Ancient Egypt and Solar EclipsesCredit: Wikimedia

Two articles on this topic:

Khepri - Total Solar Eclipse Scarab God
The Internet Archive has done a pretty good job of preserving my 'Khepri - Total Solar Eclipse Scarab God' eclipsology "web site". Here is the complete text of the original website with the two main GIF animations that it displayed.

The Winged Sun Disk Symbol Of Ancient Egyptian Religion Was Inspired By Total Solar Eclipses
The Internet Archive has done a pretty good job of preserving my 'The Ancient Egyptian Winged Sun Disk Symbol' eclipsology "web site". Here is the complete text of the original website with some of the images that it displayed along with some new ones.

10 Reasons Why Egypt Is One Of The Most Fascinating Countries In The World

From head to toe, Egypt is one of the most intriguing places you will ever get the pleasure of visiting. It has something of a bad reputation and that isn't entirely unjustified, and it's certainly worth discussing from time to time. However, we aren't here to debate the ins and outs of Egyptian law—we're here to work with the word 'fascinating.'

Tutankhamun Exhibition in Paris Surpasses 1.3 Million

The French and international news outlets reported that the temporary exhibition of King Tutankhamun currently on display at the Grande Halle La Villette in Paris broke records of turnout of the French cultural exhibitions.

International media outlets stated that the exhibition is the most visited exhibition in France, where the total number of registered visitors so far has reached 1,371,476, according to the latest official census issued by the exhibition officials, explaining that the number will increase. Visitors

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes of Giza’s Grand Egyptian Museum
Photograph: Alamy

Egypt’s vast, much-delayed museum is scheduled to open in 2020. But while Tutankhamun’s treasures are being readied for tourists, some critics see the building as a vanity project.

In the vast, shade-dappled atrium of Egypt’s new Grand Egyptian Museum, construction work surrounded a colossal statue of Ramses II, his left foot striding forward and fists clenched in readiness.

10 Marvel Gods We Hope To See In The Eternals
.
Hint: 10 is Khonshu, and 9 is Bast

As Marvel fans begin looking ahead to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the time has come to look at the announced films and projects coming in the MCU’s Phase 4. One of the most prominent films that everyone is talking about has to be Marvel’s The Eternals.

A relatively unknown property to casual Marvel fans, the Eternals are a race of immortal beings created by The Celestials millennia ago. Bestowed with their own unique abilities, The Eternals have been around long enough to see the Marvel gods emerge. Here are ten Marvel gods we hope to see appear.


Watch | A Night At The Museum With Egyptian Icon Sawsan Badr

Proudly showcasing her silver locks, Egyptian screen siren Sawsan Badr takes an enchanting tour of the Egyptian museum in downtown Cairo, Egypt.

Lovingly dubbed ‘the fugitive from the museum’ due to her uncanny resemblance to the Ancient Egyptian queen, Nefertiti, Sawsan’s reputation precedes her. Add to that a career that has spanned nearly 40 years, and her persona in the public eye is almost unparalleled.

Peripatjau, Trumpeting Thief

This next excerpt from Lewis Holmes’ book The Mystery of Music reads more like a pulp-fiction mystery novel. However, the story is preserved on 3000 year old papyri. It has torture, conspiracy, bribery and, yes, a bit of music.

The setting: Egypt, 1080 BCE. It was the end of the second Ramessid dynasty, during what Egyptologists call “The New Kingdom.” Law and order had decayed in the once great cities. Crime and corruption were on the rise as gangs looted old tombs and palaces for the precious treasures buried with the dead.

The scene of this crime was the "Valley of the Queens," an ancient burial site for the wives of pharaoh over the centuries.

Hawass: Tutankhamen Wasn’t Murdered, Ramses III was Stabbed Brutally

Renowned Egyptian archaeologist and former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass gave an important lecture at the Italian university of Perugia.

Hawass tackled in his lecture issues pertaining to the royal mummies, the story of King Tutankhamen’s death and the harem conspiracy.

The veteran archaeologist discussed as well the latest archaeological discoveries and excavations in the Valley of the Kings.

Good News For A Nerd’s Ears: The Find The Path Podcast Is Doubling

The Find the Path podcast is an officially-licensed partner of Paizo, the makers of the Pathfinder roleplaying game. Comprised of a group of longtime friends, the Find the Path podcast invites gamers and non-gamers alike into the world of Golarion and the Pathfinder RPG system.

Known for their strong grasp of the Pathfinder rules system and genuine, cooperative table dynamics, Find the Path tells an engaging and exciting story set in an Ancient Egypt analog that is full of diverse, multifaceted characters and epic fantasy adventure.

Egyptian Prime Minister: GEM Inauguration Ceremony Plans Underway

According to various local media outlets, Egypt’s government is stepping up preparations for the inauguration ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) which is set to open by 2020.

Working jointly, Prime Minister Mostafa Mabdouly and the Museum’s supreme committee have been arranging several logistical aspects of the ceremony such as the actual date, its program spanning multiple days, and the consultation of specializing international companies which can organize and arrange the ceremony.

Subterranean World Discovered Below Pyramid – 'Treasure Trove!'
Millions of animals were also found (Image: CHANNEL 5)

EGYPT archaeologists uncovered a “subterranean world” hidden below the city of Saqqara, just metres from one of the most famous pyramids of the ancient world.

Saqqara is best known for being home to the Pyramid of Djoser, also known as the Step Pyramid. Built in the 27th century BC, during the Third Dynasty, the six-tiered structure is the earliest known attempt of what the ancient civilisation became best known for. However, below the constructions lies something more sinister.

4 Nile Valley Exhibits in North America this Fall

This month many of us are preparing for another academic semester, as teachers or as students. This fall promises to be an exciting season as several compelling exhibitions will be on display in North American museums in Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, and Quebec. The Nile Scribes are excited about these four upcoming exhibitions about the Nile Valley cultures in Egypt and Sudan. Why not plan a weekend to visit one of these exhibitions for your next Egyptological getaway?

Top 5 Guidebooks for Your Trip to Egypt

With the end of summer upon us, the Nile Scribes are getting closer to our first ever Scribes on the Nile tour leaving for Egypt on October 17 from Toronto! With our group of 15 participants, Thomas and Taylor will be travelling up and down the Nile from Cairo to Aswan and back, taking in the sights and enjoying the culinary wonders Egypt has to offer. In our blog this week, we round up our Top 5 favourite guidebooks any prospective visitor should consider getting to learn as much as you can before, and during, your trip to Egypt!

Famous in its day: The Pyramid Supper Club

I was initially attracted to The Pyramid Supper Club because of its kooky architecture and its surprising location on a rural Wisconsin road next to a cornfield. I admit I thought it was a joke.

As a 1991 advertorial noted, “The Pyramid Supper Club on Highway 33 east of Beaver Dam is surrounded by a bare, flat-land setting much like the original pyramids depicted in the interior wall paintings.”

Pieces of Ramsis II Obelisk Arrive in Cairo for Re-Assembly

In an attempt to develop Tahrir Square and to show the whole world Egypt’s unique civilisation, eight blocks of one of Ramses II’s obelisks, found in his temple at San Al-Haggar archaeological site in Zagazig, arrived in Cairo on Friday.
They will be restored, assembled and erected in Tahrir Square.

Egypt to Display Coffin of Famous Ancient Queen for 1st Time

Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities decided on Friday to display the coffin of ancient Queen Tausert, the last ruler of Egypt's 19th Dynasty, to the public for the first time since its discovery two decades ago.

In a statement, Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Mostafa Waziri said that the coffin will put on display within the few coming days at the Luxor Museum in Upper Egypt.

He explained that the coffin has already been transferred on Thursday from the place of its discovery, at the closed tomb of King Bay in Luxor's west bank, to the Luxor Museum.

Hatshepsut Died of Cancer, Was a Diabetes Patient

The director of Antiquities Museum at Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the supervisor of Zahi Hawass center for Egyptology Hussein Abdel Baseer revealed that the famed ancient Egyptian Queen Hatsheput died because of cancer at the age of 50 and was a diabetes patient as well.

Abdel Baseer announced that in a lecture entitled ‘’Egyptian Queens..Drama of Love and Power’’ at Zahi Hawass center for Egyptology.

Anubis Dog?

The Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless dog). A dog considered to be the guide for the dead to reach the underworld. It resembles Anubis. Also it most commonly believed to be behind the legendary chupacabra.
















A Virgil Finlay illustration from Weird Tales, October 1936

The Opener of the Way

Ancient Egypt News 09/02/2019

Labor Day in Ancient Egypt

Labor Day is a holiday in the United States, and one most of us look forward to celebrating. (Who doesn't like a day off work?) This link is to a post from Labor Day 2015 about what was it like to be a working man or woman in ancient Egypt.

Recreate the Essence of Mummification with Dora Goldsmith


Throughout this workshop, you will learn about the smells that defined the mummification chambers and tombs, and the scents that the ancient Egyptians themselves wished to be surrounded by in their life after death. In the first hour, Dora will teach you about the olfactory motivation for mummification and the substances employed during the process. In the second hour, she will give you a detailed insight into the materials. You will be able to smell each ingredient and you will learn about their significance for the Egyptians and the reasons behind their use. In the third and last hour, you will recreate the essence of mummification in a bottle by using the very same ingredients the ancient Egyptians employed for embalming their dead. Don’t worry, you will end up with an exceedingly pleasant smell.

Althaiophobia Is The Fear Of Marshmallows

On August 30th, National Toasted Marshmallow Day celebrates one of America’s favorite fire-roasted treats. Be sure to stock up on marshmallows so you can celebrate!

• Believe it or not, marshmallows date back to Ancient Egypt. The mallow plant provided a sap that the Egyptians used to create a candy with nuts and honey.
• Ligonier, Indiana holds an annual Marshmallow Festival (Labor Day Weekend) and is the marshmallow capital of the world.

For more tidbits on marshmallows and ancient Egypt, see:
History of Marshmallow
The Long, Sweet History of Marshmallows

Play’n Go Recreates Ancient Egypt and the Book of Thoth with Rise of Dead

The new slot game launched by Play’n GO promises to position itself as a favorite of online casino players. This is Rise of Dead, a fun 5-reel game set in Ancient Egypt, which is based on the legendary Book of Thoth, a manuscript through which readers gain infinite knowledge.

The game is loaded with myths, spells and Egyptian traditions related to the pharaohs who ruled Egypt. Each of the symbols and figures of the game, represent real elements and characters found in the history of this ancient civilization.

Lost Love at the Heart of Three Month Wisbech Museum Exhibition on Ancient Egypt
Mummified hand of an ancient Egyptian lady donated to the museum by a later Peckover. Picture: WISBECH MUSEUM

Intriguing artefacts have been on display at Wisbech and Fenland Museum's Hudson Gallery throughout the summer holidays.

The exhibition will now continue to run until October 26.

In 1864 a group of men including the Barclay brothers took Lord Alexander Peckover on a tour of Egypt to ease his broken heart after the death of his young wife.

They boarded the riverboat Zuleika at Cairo to visit Luxor, Karnac, Thebes, Edfu and the Valley of the Kings.

Home of Games New Release: Heart of Egypt. 

The new game features an Egyptian theme, transporting gamers to an ancient pyramid where expeditions are underway. As an ALLPAY slot, the game does not have win lines but uses symbols combinations to provide 243 ways to win on 5 reels!

Madbouly: Opening of GEM Attended by Kings, Presidents

On Aug. 27, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly presided the first meeting of the Higher Committee, formed under the supervision of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to set scenarios of the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Anani, Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem, Minister of Tourism Rania al-Mashat, Governor of Giza Ahmed Rashed, and officials of a number of concerned authorities.

Egyptians Revive Pharaonic Beauty, Health Secrets

A group of scientists from the University of Hawaii made international headlines last week when they claimed to have recreated the perfume of Cleopatra, Egypt’s legendary queen known for her allure. In Egypt, the local beauty sector has also been banking on “Pharaonic recipes” to compete with pricey international beauty brands.

The ancient Egyptian queens whose faces are seen on murals or well-known statues were not simply natural beauties — Cleopatra, Nefertari and Nefertiti had complex beauty routines that included honey, mud or goat's milk, and modern versions have been growing in popularity in Egypt over the last decade.

How Medical Technology Reveals the Secrets Of Ancient Egyptian Mummies
Media make images of the Egyptian mummy Nestawedjat, which dates to approximately 700 BC, at a press preview at the Museum of Fine Arts Wednesday, August 28, 2019 in Montreal. The museum will be showing the exhibition Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives this fall and winter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Nestawedjat, a wealthy, married “lady of the house,” died in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes sometime around 700 BC.

Some 2,700 years too late to save her, she was brought to a British hospital to undergo a thoroughly modern medical procedure: a CT scan.

In recent years, medical technology has allowed researchers to learn intimate details of the lives of ancient Egyptian mummies that go far beyond the biographical details gleaned from their tombs.

The World’s Oldest Trumpet Found In Tutankhamun’s Tomb – Nearly Destroyed in a 1939 Publicity Stunt
The silver trumpet and its wooden core were found in King Tutankhamun’s burial chamber. Picture: Classic FM
This delicate silver instrument, retrieved from the tomb of the 14th-century B.C. pharaoh, is the oldest known metal trumpet in existence... but it has a dark history.

In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter would make one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century. . . In King Tut’s tomb, Carter and his team also discovered a pair of ancient trumpets, one of sterling silver and one of bronze or copper, which hadn’t seen the light of day for over 3,000 years.

Papyrus Part of an Ancient Puzzle
A piece of papyrus fragment found at The Catholic University of American in Washington is a small piece of a larger scroll. COURTESY
Jacco Dieleman, a research associate professor in the department of Semitic and Egyptian languages, recently made a startling discovery while examining artifacts housed in The Catholic University of American in Washington’s Semitics/Institute of Christian Oriental Research collections. Dieleman identified a papyrus fragment from the university’s collection as a small piece of a larger papyrus scroll from the Tebtunis Temple Library, an important collection of ancient manuscripts that is shedding new light on the world of ancient Egypt.

The Best College Video Game in America Lives on at Drexel

In the spring term of 2018, a group of Drexel University students created a video game, Sons of Ra, for a group project. Exactly a year later, that same game won the E3 College Game Competition, one of the biggest game contest for college-level game designers.

New Discovery: Wooden Coffins With Mummies In Good Condition Near Amenemhat II Pyramid

The Ministry of Antiquities uncovered an ancient winding wall that extends about 60 meters to the east of Amenemhat II pyramid. This wall is considered an important architectural element that dates back to the Middle kingdom era.

A number of stone, pottery and wooden coffins were also found, some of which had mummies which were uncovered in good condition, in addition to a number of wooden masks some of them are incomplete and a set of tools that were used in cutting and polishing.

Sirius and the Flooding of the Nile


Every year in August, the constellation Orion returns to northern hemisphere skies at dawn, bearing with him the brightest star in our sky after the Sun ~ the star Sirius.

Sirius played a significant role in every aspect of Ancient Egypt culture, a role that carried on well into the 20th century, because its heliacal rising in mid-August each year was the signal from the natural world that the mighty river Nile was about to flood. At the heliacal rising of Sirius, people would move off the flood plain to make way for the river, which would rise up to 46 feet in some places!

Nightmare Hieroglyphs

Freud famously related the interpretation of dreams to the translation of hieroglyphs.

He provided an account of one of his own ‘hieroglyphic’ dreams in which nightmarish bird-headed figures are sexually-threatening hieroglyphic characters come to life. Freud’s willingness to address the sexual nature of Egyptian iconography was notably at odds with most contemporary Egyptologists.

Dancing with the Mummies
Photo © Michalea Moore 2017

Zahi Hawass describes the discovery of the mummy of the ancient Egyptian queen Hatshepsut in the Valley of the Kings.

This article describes the adventure of the discovery of the mummy of queen Hatshepsut, who was from the same dynasty as our Egyptian star Tutankhamun.

She ruled before Tutankhamun was born, along with a young boy called Thutmose III who was her stepson from her husband Thutmose II. After the death of Thutmose II, his son became the king of Egypt, but Hatshepsut took over the throne and ruled the country for almost 20 years.

She built a beautiful temple on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, which was designed by her architect Senenmut.

Egyptologist Reveals Japan’s Love for Nefertiti and Cleopatra

Former government archaeology official and world-renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawwas is known for his passion for ancient Egypt and his eagerness to attract more tourists to his country.

However, Hawwas is also interested in the bridging of civilizations. So, it was no surprise to see Japan, another nation with a great ancient civilization, at the forefront of his endeavors while promoting tourism in Egypt.

Note: I could not find the film mentioned in the article, but I found a decidedly strange trailer for an animated Cleopatra film that is quite infamous (on the internet at least). Warning: it's x-rated!

10 Things You Didn't Know About The Pyramids
Photo © Michalea Moore 2017

Actually, I bet most of you do know!

The pyramids of ancient Egypt are one of the many wonders of the world. The architectural achievements they managed to pull off were astounding for the era and their prowess shows as they continue to stand to this day. The pyramid of Giza is the only one of the seven great wonders of the world that are still standing, which is a feat of its own accord.

There is so much we still don't know about the pyramids, but we have come a long way in our discoveries since the first time modern man laid eyes on them. Investigations are still ongoing inside of these monstrosities and we cannot wait to see what is to be found in the years to come. Keep reading to learn about ten things you didn't know about the pyramids!

Cartoon of the Week

The Wall Street Journal Magazine August 2019