Ancient Egypt Research Articles

The Story of an Egyptian Cat Mummy Through CT Examination

Much of the fascination surrounding Egyptian civilization is linked to the practice of mummification. In fact, to ensure the preservation of the body, the ancient Egyptians mummified both human and animal subjects. However, mummified animal remains are less well studied, although they represent a significant part of the material culture and history of ancient Egypt. The introduction of non-invasive imaging methods has allowed researchers to study the material hidden within the wrappings of mummies. In this article, the cat mummy currently exhibited at the Museo Etnologico Missionario di San Francesco di Fiesole (Florence, Italy), originating from Luxor and legally acquired during an expedition in the 20th century, was analyzed using computed tomography (CT). The CT enabled the identification of the casing content, showing the presence of an entire cat skeleton. The cat had several fractures, some of which were identified in the cervical region, possibly related to the cause of death. Furthermore, the zooarcheological analysis allowed the identification of the age at death of the cat, providing further information about the story of the mummy. This research provides a further contribution to the analysis of mummies, with a case study of a cat mummy that emphasizes the importance of CT scans in humanistic studies and museum environments.

Discovery of a painting inspired by Ancient Egypt on the reverse of Train du Soir (1957) by Paul Delvaux

Discovery of a painting inspired by Ancient Egypt on the reverse of Train du Soir (1957) by Paul Delvaux

Stick Fighting and Stick Fencing in Ancient Egypt and Their Impact On the Present Day

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of stick fighting or stick fencing-like activities in ancient Egypt on modern sport. In the study, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to investigate stick fighting and fencing activities in ancient Egypt and their impact on contemporary sport. The literature review focused on historical documents, tomb paintings, hieroglyphs and archaeological findings from the ancient Egyptian period from 3000 B.C. In ancient Egypt, stick fighting was a widely practised sport alongside wrestling. In ancient Egypt, stick fighting was a rivalry between two players. Although stick fencing is a very popular attraction for exhibition fights, it is sometimes not seen as a fight against an opponent, but rather as a dance performance. It is said that the stick or club wielders wore masks during the matches. The fencers had to bow to the audience before the fight. They then held their sticks in a crossed position. It is assumed that there was a scoring system for fighting with sticks. Although in ancient Egypt fighting with sticks or acrobatic movements with sticks were used for demonstration purposes such as dance events, this could have been the origin of modern fencing and combat training. The aesthetic movements and manoeuvres with sticks and the wearing of masks by the athletes are similar to today's fencing. In ancient Egypt, stick fighters can be seen as stick fencers. In African and Middle Eastern cultures, stick fencing is still widespread and is reflected in the traditions.

The Historical Roots of the Emergence and Development of Higher Education in Egypt

This study examines the historical roots of higher education in Egypt, highlighting its evolution from ancient times to the modern era. The origins can be traced to the rich intellectual traditions of ancient Egypt and the renowned Library of Alexandria, which served as a center for scholarship. The establishment of Al-Azhar University in the 10th century marked a significant milestone, positioning Egypt as a key hub for Islamic education and scholarship. The 19th and 20th centuries introduced Western educational models, leading to the creation of modern universities, such as Cairo University in 1908, which emphasized secular and diverse curricula. This evolution reflects broader socio-political transformations, including colonialism and national identity movements. Today, Egypt's higher education system continues to navigate the interplay between its historical legacy and contemporary challenges, striving for innovation and global integration.

Lebanese Cedar, Skeuomorphs, Coffins, and Status in Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, as with many cultures, funerary objects often communicated aspects of access, power, and social status. Lebanese cedar, for instance, was selected as a particularly desirable material from which to craft the coffins of Egypt’s upper echelons. This imported timber was both structurally superior to local woods and had important social and religious significance. For the slightly lower-ranking elite of Egypt, for whom cedar was inaccessible, local wood skeuomorphs that imitated cedar coffins were created in their place. The skeuomorphs enabled these individuals to demonstrate their knowledge of elite styles and tastes, and, due to the power of the image in ancient Egypt, also allowed for them to borrow the religious power of cedar wood to protect and enhance their own coffins. In this paper, a selection of Old to Middle Kingdom coffins are discussed to demonstrate the ways that cedar was emphasized as a construction material by the upper elite and mimicked by the middle and lower elite. This helps to demonstrate both the value of cedar in ancient Egypt, as well as the means by which imagery could be manipulated to gain access to the power of this potent material.

An Unedited Hieratic Docket Regarding the Travel Expenses of Tutankhamun’s Funeral Procession (Carter 270b)

Summary Based on an unedited hieratic docket from the tomb of Tutankhamun, this article determines financial aspects of royal funeral processions in ancient Egypt. With reference to written sources from the Middle Kingdom, it is concluded that mechanics to safeguard the ritual’s safety included en route cash payments during the 18th Dynasty. As a result, this study advocates caution when it comes to the assessment of looting activities soon after Tutankhamun’s interment in KV 62.

The Blood Culture of the Ga-Dangbe Tribe of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

The study enquired about extra but relevant information about blood culture of the Ga-Dangbe tribe of the Greater Accra-Region of Ghana .The cultural practices involving the innovation and application of certain type of blood from specific animals for certain rituals. The performance and purpose remain mysterious and confidential with less information and any social economic consequence of the practice. The research team selected this topic to unearth the mystery and the conceptual framework of the research topic as well as any relevant information to the academic fraternity .To accomplish this expectations the research team reviewed a number of literature on blood culture from the ancient Greece ,Crete,Egypt,Israel and certain tribes in Africa and in Ghana .Most importantly about cultural practice of the Ga –Dangbe. As a fundamental issue, the team used much of exploratory and qualitative research methods. They also participated, granted interviews to mostly traditionalist and knowledge persons involved in traditional practices in Ghana. The team organized research objectives on the subjects relating to blood cultural practices of the Ga-Dangbe tribe ;to identify the source of the blood ;to investigate of any economic and entertaining actions accompanying the practice. The team found out that blood was used by the Ga-Dangbe people for mainly cultural activities in nature from birth to death of certain specific persons and for certain specific cultural practices .The animals used for such practices were goat, sheep, cow and crow .It must be emphasized that no human sacrifice(human blood) was mentioned or uncovered during the research work .Meanwhile, blood was poured out onto a child of royal birth, spiritualist in the cleansing stage ,for atonement etc. More so, it was used for spiritual cleansing ,healing process, achievement in any competition and in dispelling evil spirits. It was recommended that further research be conducted for further revelation of unknown practices which this research team could not capture on the concept of blood culture of the Ga-Dangbe traditional practices.

Correction to: Actio de in rem verso: The Revd William MacGregor collection of Egyptian antiquities and the extraordinary claims of the dealer who helped its development

Correction to: Actio de in rem verso: The Revd William MacGregor collection of Egyptian antiquities and the extraordinary claims of the dealer who helped its development

Porcupines in ancient Egypt? A prickly problem re-assessed

Porcupines in ancient Egypt? A prickly problem re-assessed

Sections of Hell in Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptian mentality was characterized by endless philosophical ideas. The foundations of the sources of these philosophical ideas were born from the natural phenomena in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptian found the phenomenon of the Nile flooding and then its recession and the drought that affected the country and its positive and negative impact on crops. He also found the phenomenon of sunset at night and its interpretation was its death. The explanation for the sunrise in the morning was its revival after death. Also, in ancient Egyptian mythology, the god (Osiris) was resurrected after his death. All of this naturally had an impact on the ancient Egyptian mentality and its reality on ancient Egyptian society in particular. The concept of death and resurrection that emerged in the ancient Egyptian mentality explained that there is another life after death and this life settles in a world that separates his material world. The life after death that the ancient Egyptian believed in was settled in the underworld. What concerns us here is the section in which the guilty were punished after their trial in the court of the god (Osiris) in the underworld. It is known that criminals and outlaws in the material world were punished and held accountable according to the decisions of the court that were conducted inside or outside the temples. Among these decisions were execution, flogging, imprisonment, and others. The ancient Egyptians worked to apply them to the underworld by recording the texts of (Coffins), the Book of the Dead, the Book of (Amudat), and the Book of (Caves). He included in these books a topographical division of the underworld, the most important of which is the section of Hell, which in turn divided it into many sections, including lakes of fire, islands of flame, and hills, as well as the presence of fiery pits and fiery furnaces. These sections related to Hell played an actual role in punishing the guilty for what they committed in their earthly lives. Because of the breadth of the subject, the areas of hell in the underworld, we have chosen for this research the section (Fire Pits, Fire Furnaces), and other places that were used for torture, as this subject carries the utmost importance to know what is going on in the ancient Egyptian mentality and the extent of the religious and philosophical intellectual level that he reached to uncover the mystery of life after death, and his awareness of the topography of this hidden world and his attempt to match it with his material world, and to put forward different ideas for punishing sinners in the material world and seeking to apply it in the underworld.

From Wildcat, to Farm-hand, to Deity, to Laser Chaser: A Look at the Domestic House Cat

This paper examines the journey of the domestic house cat, from its wild origins to its current status as a beloved companion. By delving into domestication, morphology, global dispersal, and cultural significance, the paper sheds light on the intricate relationship between humans and cats throughout history. The research explores the domestication timeline, highlighting key findings such as discovering ancient cat burials in Cyprus and Egypt and identifying the wildcat species Felis silvestris lybica as the ancestor of modern domestic cats. Additionally, it discusses the challenges researchers face in distinguishing between wild, feral, and domestic cat remains due to their similar genetic makeup and limited morphological changes over time. Furthermore, the paper investigates the role of cats in ancient societies, emphasizing their significance as symbols of divinity in ancient Egypt and their use in pest control during the Roman Iron Age. It also examines recent technological advancements, such as medical imaging, which have facilitated the study of cat mummies and provided insights into ancient mummification practices. Overall, researchers comprehensively explore the domestication, cultural significance, and morphological evolution of the domestic house cat, highlighting its enduring importance in human society.

Lacrimal History – Part VI: Doyens of Dacryology Series – the Contributions of the Babylonians, Ancient Egyptians, Medieval Arabs and the Persians

Lacrimal History – Part VI: Doyens of Dacryology Series – the Contributions of the Babylonians, Ancient Egyptians, Medieval Arabs and the Persians

FINGERPRINTS ON FIGURINES FROM THONIS‐HERACLEION

SummaryThis paper studies ancient fingerprints to produce an estimate of the age and sex of the makers of several terracotta figurines found at Thonis‐Heracleion in Egypt, dated to the Late and Ptolemaic periods (seventh–second centuries BC). This is only the second study of its kind to discuss the use of ancient fingerprint impressions from Ancient Egypt and the first to apply this method to Late Period/Ptolemaic material using RTI (reflectance transformation imaging) to obtain measurements. Albeit at a preliminary stage, the findings suggest the involvement of men, women, and children in figurine production, both for locally produced wares and imported Greek figurines, contrary to the image of figurine‐makers presented in ancient Greek literary sources, which portray figurine production as a predominantly male profession. The results also allow insight into questions of training and apprenticeship of ancient figurine production, with various stages of training being represented in the data.

How labor induction methods have evolved throughout history, from the Egyptian era to the present day: evolution, effectiveness, and safety

Induction of labor (IOL) is currently used for one in 10 pregnancies globally. Methods used for induction have shown major changes over time. Medical interventions trace their origins back to ancient civilizations, with evidence suggesting that they began over 5000 years ago in ancient Egypt. During this era, the Egyptians employed natural remedies such as castor oil and date fruits for the IOL. These early practices highlight the rich history and long-standing tradition of using natural substances in medical treatments, laying the foundation for the development of modern obstetric practices. After that, Hippocrates practiced mammary stimulation and mechanical cervical dilatation about 2500 years ago in Greece. Since then, there has been a marked change, especially over the last century, with the development of safer and more effective methods. Mechanical methods were the main method until the early 20th century, which were then substituted by pharmacological methods with more experiments in the mid to late 20th century. Nowadays, effectiveness, safety, cost, and client satisfaction are the main determinants of the methods used. This review summarizes how labor induction practices have evolved from the Egyptian era to the present-day randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis evidence, paying attention to their effectiveness, safety, and future directions.

Trade signs in antiquity

AbstractThe paper discusses the inscriptions of two ancient artifacts, the fragment of an Egyptian wine jug (Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest), and a terra sigillata bowl made by Pacatus (Aquincum Museum, Budapest), and seeks to situate them in the history of trade signs. In ancient Egypt, signs predominantly indicated details such as the place and date of production, and the quality of the product, while in Rome trade signs conveyed information concerning the origin of the product through the craftsman or workshop.

Land and Identity in Afrikan Tradition: The Origins of the Ancestral Land Complex

The Afrikan traditional attitude to land is marked by the understanding that land is inalienable and owned by the community, not by any individual. This essay aims to recover, explain and analyze the presence of the Afrikan Ancestral Land Complex, a specific behavioral complex that is rooted in the land. The focus is the ancient Hapi [Nile] Valley, primarily at Kemet. Approaches derived mainly from history and language and linguistics are used to interrogate the sacred and secular texts of Kemet, Ancient Egypt, as well as the texts generated by modern scholarship on this area of Afrika. The results show that the ritual insertion of placentas, navel strings and dead bodies of ancestors into the land was fundamental to its transformation and maintenance as Ancestral Land. Furthermore, Kemet oriented itself by its Ancestral Land, which the people knew to be their birthplace in the sacred south, in the heart of the continent. It was a powerful spiritual, psychological, and cultural reference point, the very foundations of their collective self. It is a reservoir of knowledge that is deeper than memory.

Exploring Artistic Hierarchies among Painters in Ramesside Deir el-Medina

Scholarship has described Deir el-Medina as a sophisticated community composed of highly trained and educated individuals, at least compared to most ancient Egyptian villages that were primarily focused on agrarian labor. The tombs at Deir el-Medina indicate that some community members were well-off financially and may have aspired to reach elite levels in ancient Egypt’s social hierarchy. However, this understanding of Deir el-Medina’s community lacks the nuance of the hierarchical structure that defines success and status among the workers, artists, and craftspeople living in the community. This paper will investigate how one’s status within the community might dictate the allocation of artistic roles in the execution of painted royal tomb scenes. It will explore who within the community would have the privilege of depicting the primary motifs of a tomb and who would be responsible for less noticeable areas of the tomb.

Ivory in Light of Cuneiform Sources

Ivory is one the precious and sought materials in most of the ancient Near Eastern civilizations in Mesopotamia, the Levant and ancient Egypt, and man has excelled in using ivory since ancient times, to produce carved and polished pieces of great artistic value, and ivory carvings are of great importance as one of the materials that show us the amount of Luxury in the Assyrian royal court, as they are included in the inlay of furniture, thrones, chairs and tables, as well as decorative boxes, scales, combs and others, and the Assyrian kings paid great attention to this material and became one of the faces of art in the modern Assyrian era.

Ivory in Light of Cuneiform Sources

Ivory is one the precious and sought materials in most of the ancient Near Eastern civilizations in Mesopotamia, the Levant and ancient Egypt, and man has excelled in using ivory since ancient times, to produce carved and polished pieces of great artistic value, and ivory carvings are of great importance as one of the materials that show us the amount of Luxury in the Assyrian royal court, as they are included in the inlay of furniture, thrones, chairs and tables, as well as decorative boxes, scales, combs and others, and the Assyrian kings paid great attention to this material and became one of the faces of art in the modern Assyrian era.

Unearthed, Smuggled and Decontextualized Carl Schmidt and the Provenance of Hamburg’s Papyrus Bilinguis 1

Abstract Information regarding the provenance of papyrological material that was acquired in the Egyptian antiquities market in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is scarce and often unreliable. This article investigates the provenance of Hamburg’s Papyrus Bilinguis 1, famed for containing the apocryphal Acta Pauli. By researching archival files documenting the acquisition and the context of the find, the papyrus is shown to have been acquired in breach of the Egyptian antiquities law of 1912. The article reveals how Carl Schmidt (1868–1938), the collector who acquired the manuscript for the Hamburg library, by concealing information, tried to cover up his own criminal involvement in the smuggling of the manuscript. Through the investigation of a manuscript that was acquired by a public German institution in awareness of its illegality, the article hopes to contribute to current debates on the translocation of cultural heritage artefacts to Europe and the US in the age of European colonialism and imperialism.