In this study, we examine one of the most enigmatic compositions of Ancient Egyptian literature. Although preserved in a copy of Ramesside period from the New Kingdom, the text appears to be based on an earlier narrative tradition. The tale centres on the encounter and dialogue between its two eponymous protagonists: Khonsemhab, a priest of Amun, and Nebusemekh, a spirit. The narrative unfolds through their exchange concerning the spirit’s lament over the dilapidated state of its tomb, a condition that prevents it from attaining eternal rest, and the assurances offered by the priest to restore it—assurances which the spirit receives with scepticism, shaped by past disappointments. Owing to the fragmentary preservation of the text, the fate of both characters remains unknown. Based on its formal and thematic features, it is plausible to suggest that this tale could be tentatively situated within the corpus of so‑called pessimistic texts traditionally associated with the Middle Kingdom. In this regard, it exhibits several noteworthy affinities with compositions from that period, such as its dialogic structure, the thematic tension between order and chaos, and the spirit’s expressions of despair in response to the neglected state of his burial place. In this study, I examine the tale in detail and seek to address a central question at the end of the article: Could this story have originally belonged to the tradition of Middle Kingdom Pessimistic Literature?

We report the first successful microwave-assisted synthesis of Egyptian Blue (EB, CaCuSi4O10), the earliest known synthetic pigment, and one of the oldest inorganic phosphors in human history. Conventional synthesis methods rely on prolonged high-temperature treatments (>10 h), resulting in significant energy consumption and operational costs. Here, we introduce a two-step protocol that combines microwave irradiation (with appropriate susceptors) and conventional furnace heating, reducing the total reaction time to 1.5 h while preserving the pigment's structural integrity and functional performance. Its unique properties, such as near-infrared luminescence, chemical stability, and energy efficiency, make it a highly promising material. By streamlining the production process, this work not only respects the historical importance of Egyptian Blue but also positions it as a versatile material for cutting-edge applications in science and technology. The study also highlights how microwave irradiation (with the proper use of susceptors) is correlated with changes in crystalline behavior during the EB formation, through process-controlled thermal effects, increasing crystallinity and leading to high quantum efficiency emission. By reengineering the synthesis of this ancient material, we unlock its potential for cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations, bridging the past and future in the field of functional materials.

Kemet, a territory comprised of African agricultural communities along the Nile River for over six thousand years. By studying Kemetic thought, this essay locates the root of understanding bodily techniques, from the geometry of body postures depicted on temple walls to the evolution of these representations into conceptual assumptions as fields of knowledge. It addresses daily life within the cultural context of Ancient Egypt and the constitution of thought. It adopts a triangulation of data surrounding the object of study and uses Kemetic logic to construct this essay. It concludes that cultural manifestations produce experiential elaborations for understanding reality.

This study provides a historical analysis of the significant religions of ancient Egypt. Early Egyptians revered a vast number of deities, and every locality, no matter how small, had its own tutelary deity, and in certain instances, two or more. Consequently, this led to a religious landscape in Egypt that was very diverse, much like the other primitive or natural religions, as will be shown in this paper. The development of religious thinking in ancient Egypt took the form of a sequence of various stages. To comprehend this development, one has to trace its historical development starting with Totemism, which was the first cornerstone of the religion of the ancient people, then the emergence of polytheism with its plurality of divine figures, and finally the religious reform of Akhenaten, which focused on the new deity (Aten). The results show that the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians were cumulative in nature. The different historical periods produced new doctrines that coexisted with the earlier traditions: Totemism coexisted with theology, and polytheism with new monotheistic inclinations. This rich religious text is an expression of the intellectual depth of the ancient Egyptians and the scope of their spiritual imaginations.

This study is situated within the context of the spiritual and cultural revival observed in Burkina Faso, marked by the rise of Kemetism in Ouagadougou. This movement, which claims a lineage with ancient Egypt, emerges as both a response to identity quests and a form of symbolic resistance to Westernization. The main objective is to analyze the processes through which Kemetism gains legitimacy in the Burkinabè capital, by examining the discursive, ritual, and media strategies employed by its actors, as well as the internal paradoxes that arise from them.The research, conducted between 2017 and 2024, adopts a qualitative approach grounded in the anthropology of religious and political practices. It unfolded in two phases: the first focused on the student movement “2h pour nous, 2h pour Kamita”, and the second extended to other Kemetic organizations. Data were collected primarily through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and media analysis, involving 28 informants, mainly from the movements “2h pour nous, 2h pour Kamita” and LEGRATA (Le Grand Retour de l’Afrique sur la Terre de ses Ancêtres). Findings reveal that the legitimation of Kemetism relies on ritual practices (djibôn), alliances with traditional mediators (dozos), and a strong presence on social media. However, these strategies generate tensions, including ritual dependency on external actors and contradictions between spiritual orthodoxy and the pursuit of public visibility. The study thus shows that the construction of Kemetic legitimacy, while strengthening social recognition, simultaneously exposes the movement to paradoxical dynamics of delegitimization

The article offers a comprehensive catalogue of the collection of 22 (Ptah-Sokar-)Osiris statues currently housed in the Bologna Museo Civico Archeologico. This catalogue is preceded by a concise overview of the latest research and knowledge regarding these fascinating figures, accompanied by a detailed study of their collecting history. Bologna boasts a long-standing museum tradition, reflecting a growing interest in Egyptian antiquities since the late 16th century. The statues of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris have enriched Bologna’s Egyptian collections from the 17th through the end of the 19th centuries, accompanying and reflecting their gradual growth.

The article raises the question of what constituted images of the human soul in Ancient Egypt.To answer it, the author considers, on the one hand, the image of man in the first two cultures (Archaic and the culture of the Ancient Kingdoms) and on the other hand, the understanding of art at that time.Four interpretations of the soul in Ancient Egypt are analyzed (the ordinary one during life and four after death -"Ba", "Ka", "shadow" and "Akh").It is shown that from a theoretical point of view (in cultural studies and semiotics), these interpretations can be understood as objectifications of schemes created to resolve problematic situations in certain anthropopractices, some of which we would today classify as practical psychology.A reconstruction of these problematic situations and anthropopractices is proposed.It is concluded that man and art were understood in the Ancient world completely differently than in the Modern era and that ancient art helped man cope with his problems, including the fear of death.

This study aims to examine the relationship between love and death in Ancient Egypt and the Bible (Old Testament), a subject that scientific research seems to have overlooked. For the study of the subject, we will use the comparative method, via citation of key elements of the Egyptian and the biblical thought, to better map the worldview of the aforementioned people. The existence of a plethora of ancient Egyptian love poetry texts contributes the most to the formation of a fairly complete view of the subject under examination. To this, it can be added the discovery of frescoes/mural paintings in Egyptian tombs, which reinforce the connection between love and death. As for the Bible, the only source is the Old Testament, and, especially, the book of Canticles (Song of Songs). Although this book consists of only 8 chapters, it conveys rich messages and highlights the connection between love and death, adding the concept of love-sickness as a connecting link between them.

Evidence for the exchange or diffusion of religious traditions between ancient Egypt and neighbouring Africa is usually confined to the cultures of the Nile corridor in Nubia. Religious connections between Egypt and cultures further afield, while amply discussed, still await confirmation. This analysis demonstrates the likely connection or importation of a sacred sycamore tradition from the Beja culture of Eastern Sudan into the cult of the Egyptian cow goddess Hathor. Using a combination of textual and linguistic analysis of a ‘foreign’ sacred tree tradition in ancient Egyptian texts alongside modern ethnographic surveys in Eastern Sudan, this study traces the origins of a sacred Ficus sycomorus L. tradition from Eastern Sudan to ancient Egypt. This still-functioning sacred sycamore tradition reveals an unexplored and hidden connection between ancient Egyptians and pastoralists of Eastern Sudan, while also establishing a deep and common sacred sycamore tradition across Egypt, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.

This study addresses the education of deaf individuals within the global and Brazilian historical context, from Ancient Egypt to contemporary times, with an emphasis on teaching and learning processes from the perspective of bilingual education. The objective is to understand educational policies aimed at deaf education, to contextualize inclusive education within a bilingual approach in the national scenario, and to reflect on the constitution of bilingual linguistic environments as a pedagogical perspective that values Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) and the Portuguese language. This is a qualitative, exploratory study developed through documentary and bibliographic analysis of books, scientific articles, legislation, and materials available in digital media. The analysis of the historical trajectory of deaf education reveals different pedagogical conceptions, political disputes, and social movements advocating for an education that respects cultural and linguistic diversity and promotes the social, cognitive, and identity development of deaf individuals. The results indicate that Art and Technology are relevant resources within the bilingual proposal, contributing to the organization of visually accessible and linguistically inclusive educational environments, as exemplified by the educational products developed. It is concluded that the implementation of bilingual education for deaf individuals still faces structural challenges, requiring the presence of qualified professionals, training in Libras, and the participation of deaf teachers in the constitution of bilingual educational spaces.

Onion (Allium cepa L.), as one of the earliest vegetables cultivated by humans, has a medicinal value that can be traced back to The times of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In recent years, with the development of analytical techniques and molecular biology, the unique organic sulfides (organosulfur compounds, OSCs) in onions have attracted extensive attention from the scientific community. This article conducts a detailed analysis of the chemical structural characteristics of the main organic sulfides in onions, compares the advantages and disadvantages of extraction techniques such as steam distillation, organic solvent extraction, and supercritical CO2 extraction, and elaborates on their mechanisms of action in regulating lipid metabolism, exerting antibacterial and antitumor effects, alleviating diabetes, and mitigating asthma. The article finally discusses the application prospects of onion organic sulfides in the treatment of diseases, as well as the current technical challenges, providing a reference for the determination of future research directions.

Abstract This article revisits the commonly held assumption in the historiography of interpreting that interpreters existed as a professional category in Ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Focusing on individuals designated by titles compounded with iaA(w) , this article reassesses the fragmentary textual and iconographic evidence often cited in support of this claim. The author argues that these individuals should not be understood as having been interpreters in the modern professional sense, but rather as multifunctional agents of frontier mediation. Their roles — which ranged from linguistic and cross-cultural negotiation to administrative coordination, military supervision and the management of mobility and resources in liminal zones — reflect flexible strategies of border management shaped by circumstance rather than a stable occupational profile. By re-examining the available sources through the lens of function rather than profession and highlighting the anachronistic projections, the tendency to retroactively professionalize the past is challenged. The author proposes instead that the iaA(w) titles designate the adaptable mediators embedded in Ancient Egypt’s intercultural peripheries and offers a historically grounded model of premodern mediation that invites further dialogue between Egyptology and Translation and Interpreting Studies.

Secure communication has been required since thousands of years. This led to the invention of cryptography. In ancient world, primitive methods were adopted for passing messages secretly. But with the invention of internet and world wide web, which is used for communicating via mail, messages, online shopping, online banking, etc., increased the need of information security. Thus a proper understanding of various methods of cryptography and its implementation can fulfill the requirements of securing valuable and sensitive information. This paper takes us through the various methods of cryptography adopted in the ancient period, medieval period and the modern era. Ancient Egyptians and ancient Mesopotamians were the first to use basic encryption. The practice became more sophisticated in ancient Greece with philosophers like Polybios. Encryption dates back almost 4,000 years to the earliest uses of hieroglyphics. It has been used for everything from children's games to warfare in the intervening years and remains an important part of daily life today. In ancient Egypt, some hieroglyphs were substituted for others, possibly as a way to make texts more socially appropriate in various contexts. Other early ciphers included the ATBASH cipher and the Caesar cipher. Encryption is the process of putting information into a coded system and using a key to decipher it. It is different from encoding because a code can be reversed through the same mechanism that created it, whereas encryption requires a secret key. The basis of encryption is cryptography, the practice of writing and solving codes. There have historically been many uses for encryption, and there are uses today as well by anyone who wants to create secret information that can only be read by parties with the appropriate knowledge. It has applications in digital data security, warfare, games, mystery novels, and much more. The history of cryptography and the associated history of encryption is much longer than many people realize. It has increased in complexity over the years. Today, there are some forms of encryption that are effectively impossible to crack without the necessary information. People have long found good reasons to encrypt information to keep it away from prying eyes.

The present article aims to summarize factors which led to the formation of Coptic identity in Late Ancient Egypt. The main aim of the paper is to deal with the most important issues which were shaping this unique Christian culture in Egypt. One can trace not only the rudiments of the Coptic Orthodox Church, but Christianity in Africa in general in Egypt in Late antiquity. The first part consists of abrief introduction to the period of Egyptian history when Christianity emerged in Alexandria and its relationship with the local Jewish community. The second part engages with Shenoute of Atripe who is considered the first Coptic nationalist and the most famous Coptic writer. The third part outlines how to determine the establishment of the Coptic Church as anational church. Anti-Chalcedonian polemic is of cardinal importance for solving this problem.

Pauline Gedge (1945- ) is a New Zealand author of historical novels. She is best known for her fiction novels set in ancient Egypt. Her books have won several prizes and thousands of readers worldwide. This paper proposes a study of the reception of her second novel on Ancient Egypt, The Twelfth Transforming. The selection of this work is due to it being focused on the period of Egyptian history more widely known among the public, that is, the end of the 18th dynasty, in the New Egyptian Kingdom. Thus, the extent to which Spain is a recipient of texts related to Ancient Egypt will be explored. Furthermore, a more detailed study of the translation of the specialized lexicon of The Twelfth Transforming will be conducted, so as to highlight the particularities of the translation of the English novel into Spanish. In short, the aim of this publication is to offer a panoramic view of the novel as a reflection of the author’s interests, as a historical novel in a niche market, and as a translated text—with especial emphasis on the specialized documentation that the production of a version in another language entails.

Prognosis is an important aspect of any scientific culture. Speculation and imagination about future knowledge, social organization and technology pervade the practice of science and lend it aim and direction (or at least the appearance of direction). This article is about the development of prognosis in the fiction and popular-scientific writing of Jane Webb Loudon (1800-58), a writer familiar within the history of science for her publications in botany and gardening, if not for her romantic novel The Mummy!, one of the earliest examples of the genre later known as science fiction. I argue that Webb Loudon viewed scientific activity as declining and flourishing throughout human history, and that she anticipated the science of her time would 'resuscitate' knowledge and even political structures of past eras (like ancient Egypt). Following the work of Jim Endersby and other historians of science who have worked to reintegrate the role of fiction in our understanding of science culture, I argue that Webb Loudon's efforts to promote and diffuse her understanding of science and its relation to the future (and past) ought be viewed as informing the cultural meaning of science in the nineteenth century.

Schistosomiasis, endless endemicity since the ancient Egyptians

Abstract: The process of women's involvement in political activities in ancient Egypt materialized with the accession to the throne of Queen Nitocris (VI Dynasty) and reached its peak with Queens Ahmes Nofretere and Hatshepsut under the XVIII Dynasty, who established the college of Divine Adoratrices, particularly the wives of the god, who were high-ranking figures in the priestly hierarchy. In Nubia, during the Meroitic period, women assumed roles as heads of state. It was the same for modern Africa. Alongside these political functions, these ladies also worked in the religious sphere. The analysis of the functions and titles held by these women, which illustrated them as scribes, housekeepers, doctors, priestesses, artists, businesswomen, singers, musicians, high-level athletes, particularly in running, swimming, and dancing, will allow us to better identify their status in the established hierarchy. The author draws on iconographic and epigraphic sources for a rewriting of the history of African women from antiquity to the present day. Keywords: Economy – Woman – Power – Religion - Rites

The protruding tongue is a multifaceted gesture that has been observed in diverse cultural contexts and historical periods. In contemporary societies, it can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. It can signify a lack of respect, mischievousness, playfulness, insult, and concentration. However, in certain cultures, extending the tongue out is a gesture of greeting and respect. In ancient Egypt, the protruding tongue is represented in different contexts and is essentially associated with certain demons and gods, including the most well-known Bes, the great Cat of Heliopolis, Re cutting off the head of Apophis, Taweret, Ammit, as well as some guardians of the gates and demons of the underworld. Conversely, instances of the protruding tongue in representations of human figures are scarce, even in the most violent contexts. The protruding tongue has been likened to arrows and knives. Moreover, textual instances have been recorded where individuals or deities in Ancient Egypt were insulted, mocked, or threatened by a protruding tongue, as texts of Kamose describe the hostile stance of the Hyksos towards the Egyptians by this gesture. The protruding tongue is a common occurrence in the animal kingdom, particularly during slaughtering, hunting, and birth. In these instances, the tongue may serve to represent the animal's panic, pain, and vocalizations. The representation of animal heads with protruding tongues is a recurring motif in offering scenes. This paper will present an analysis and examination of the significance, meaning, and contexts of the protruding tongue in ancient Egyptian written, visual, and material sources.

The Egyptian civilization began in ancient times and passed through various historical eras. Initially, Egyptian art was simple, consisting of symbolic and pictorial shapes representing the symbols used in daily life. However, over time, this art evolved, and Egyptian artists began carving on polished stones. The skill of this art is evident in several artifacts that still stand today. Among the symbols used by ancient Egyptian artists was the cross, known in its primitive form as the "Ankh," also called the "Key of the Nile." The ancient Egyptians carried the Ankh as an amulet for protection and to ward off evil spirits, similar to how the Assyrians in Mesopotamia wore the cross as an amulet to repel evil spirits and to grant them strength in battles. This symbol appeared on various seals, tablets, and obelisks, alongside images of deities and in sacred scenes, often accompanying other religious symbols. When Christianity emerged in Egypt, Egyptians used the Ankh instead of the cross to avoid persecution. Later, they adopted the cross as a symbol of their Christian faith, representing Jesus Christ, and placed it on their tombs, churches, and the walls of their homes. The cross appeared in ancient Egyptian civilization in various forms, including the equal-armed cross, the cross resembling the Ankh, the Christian cross, the cross with a tuft of hair, and the cross carried by a shell, among other forms of the cross