Egyptian Figures

The Figures of Egypt take many forms – from living beings to legendary gods, and even hybrids of the two – pharaohs were treated as gods too. And as much history was written in stone, we have many records of who ruled, who was worshipped, and even who made the beer! Some of the famous figures still exist today, in the form of mummified remains. Here you can explore them all.

The stone carvings found during a diving expedition near Aswan, Egypt. Source: © Dr Cristian Craciun/Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

19 July, 2024 - 21:11 Gary Manners

Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs Rediscovered Underwater Near Aswan

Archaeologists recently unveiled a remarkable discovery near Aswan, Egypt: rock carvings depicting ancient Egyptian pharaohs, submerged for decades due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. This...

Photo of the Nefertiti bust in Neues Museum, Berlin. Source: Smalljim/CC BY-SA 3.0

16 July, 2024 - 19:48 Robbie Mitchell

Nefertiti is Still in Germany and Hasn’t Been Returned (Video)

The bust of Nefertiti, a 3,400-year-old artifact valued at around 400 million euros, has been in Germany for over a century, displayed at the Neues Museum Berlin . The artifact's continued presence...

Left; Mummified skull of Ramesses II, Right; Reconstructed face of Ramesses by Cicero Moraes . Source: Left; G. Elliot Smith/Public domain, Right; © Cicero Moraes

1 July, 2024 - 14:39 Gary Manners

Wise Face of Egypt’s Most Powerful Pharaoh Moments Before Death

The face of Ramesses II, or Ramesses the Great, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, has been meticulously reconstructed by scientists using advanced 3D modeling techniques. This recreation...

: Statues depicting the high dignitary Nefer and his wife (Abusir, Egypt). Source: Martin Frouz and the Czech Institute of Egyptology, Charles University/Nature

28 June, 2024 - 23:14 Nathan Falde

Ancient Egyptian Scribes Suffered from Arthritis & Other Skeletal Pain

A fascinating study of the skeletal remains of ancient Egyptian scribes from the third millennium BC has revealed the physical costs of this job. While the type of work they did might seem relatively...

20 June, 2024 - 15:13 ashley cowie

Image of Egyptian High Priest’s Daughter Likened to Marge Simpson

After is discovery in 2023, Reddit readers have just picked up on the depiction of a character resembling Marge Simpson on the inner lid of a 3,500-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus. The coffin,...

Left; Ramesses II statue, Right; Long side of the granite sarcophagus of Ramesses II.

26 May, 2024 - 14:28 Sahir

Ramesses II - Original Sarcophagus Identified Within the Valley of Kings

Archaeologists from Sorbonne University have identified the original sarcophagus of Ramesses II, or Ramesses the Great, from a tomb complex designated KV7 in the Valley of Kings. This tomb was near...

Reconstruction of Amenhotep II. Source: Cicero Moraes

17 May, 2024 - 14:54 Gary Manners

Unveiling the Face of Amenhotep III: The 'Richest Man Who Ever Lived'

Amenhotep III, one of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt, reigned during the height of Egypt's power 3,400 years ago. Known for his unparalleled wealth and grand architectural achievements,...

Egyptian sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun isolated on black background. Source: Anna/Adobe Stock

16 May, 2024 - 00:55 ancient-origins

The Cursed Search For King Tut's Tomb (Video)

The quest for King Tutankhamun's tomb stands as a pivotal moment in archaeological history, unraveling mysteries of an ancient civilization buried beneath the sands of time. Initially, the unearthing...

General view of pyramids from the Giza Plat in Egypt. Source: kanuman/Adobe Stock

10 May, 2024 - 00:46 Robbie Mitchell

6 Ways Ancient Egypt Shaped World History (Video)

Ancient Egypt's impact on world history is profound, extending far beyond its pyramids and mummies. As one of the longest-lasting empires, its influence shaped diverse facets of human civilization...

AI portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh king. Source: Andrea Raffin/Adobe Stock

19 April, 2024 - 17:40 Aleksa Vučković

Why Did Egyptian Pharaohs Have Five Names?

Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were not merely rulers; they were considered divine beings, the living embodiments of gods on Earth. Their names were imbued with profound significance, reflecting their...

Milky Way and pink light over mountains. Source: den-belitsky/Adobe Stock

10 April, 2024 - 14:45 ancient-origins

The Hidden Role of the Milky Way in Ancient Egyptian Mythology (Study)

Ancient Egyptians were known for their religious beliefs and astronomical knowledge of the Sun, Moon, and planets, but up until now it has been unclear what role the Milky Way played in Egyptian...

The Abydos Kings list cartouches in the Temple of Seti, Abydos. Source: Olaf Tausch/CC BY 3.0

2 April, 2024 - 14:50 mrreese

The Abydos King List Safeguards the Identities of 76 Egyptian Kings

Abydos is one of the oldest ancient Egyptian cities (3,100 – 332 BC) and is one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Egypt. Many ancient temples and tombs can be found there, offering...

Depiction of Ramesses II slaying one enemy while trampling another, from a rock-cut relief at Abu Simbel Source: Aoineko/CC BY-SA 3.0

1 April, 2024 - 20:52 Robbie Mitchell

Five Cruelest Pharaohs in Egyptian History (Video)

Egyptian history is replete with tales of pharaonic cruelty, and among the most notorious are the 5 cruelest pharaohs who left an indelible mark on the sands of time. In the First Dynasty, rulers...

A mural from and ancient Egyptians tomb. Source: Svetlaili/Adobe Stock

18 March, 2024 - 16:49 ancient-origins

Here’s How We Know Life in Ancient Egypt was Ravaged by Disease

Thomas Jeffries /The Conversation The mention of ancient Egypt usually conjures images of colossal pyramids and precious, golden tombs. But as with most civilizations, the invisible world of...

An artist’s imaginary depiction of a pharaoh burning herbs in a ritual. Source: Fair use

17 February, 2024 - 21:44 Joanna Gillan

Dealing in the Past: How Did Ancient Egyptians Get Nicotine and Cocaine?

The discovery of traces of nicotine and cocaine within 3,000-year-old human remains, which came to be known as Egypt’s cocaine mummies, raised curious questions amongst historians. Challenging...

Sekhmet at Rameses III’s temple at Mabinet Habu (abrilla / Adobe Stock)

7 February, 2024 - 22:40 Nicholas Costa

The Enigma Of Egyptian Sekhmet And Leonine Deities

Typical of cats, the leonine goddesses of ancient Egypt, including Sekhmet are very elusive, despite countless research papers. A review of the attestations of the cult of feline deities in Egypt...

2 January, 2024 - 14:01 dhwty

The Elusive Quest: The Search for Antony and Cleopatra's Lost Tomb

When it comes to ancient love stories, few couples have captured the imagination quite like Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Their passionate romance, set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire’s...

AI image of a female pharaoh in a mask and desert with pyramids. Source: MiaStendal

27 December, 2023 - 19:53 Robbie Mitchell

The Pharoah Who Made Her Mark: Sobekneferu's Legacy (Video)

Sobekneferu , often overshadowed by her more famous successors, left an indelible mark as Egypt's first official female pharaoh. Rising to power during the declining years of the Middle Kingdom , she...

Egypt’s Edfu temple with its passage lined by two glowing walls full of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Source: Konstantin/Adobe Stock

18 December, 2023 - 19:54 Robbie Mitchell

Who Are The Lost Gods Of Ancient Egypt? (Video)

Exploring the ancient Egyptian pantheon reveals gods manifested in wood, paint, and stone, shaping a rich tapestry of beliefs. Shifting from a myriad of deities to the revolutionary era centered on...

The complete large straw-tempered Egyptian beer jars from Hierakonpolis in the background. Source: Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

15 December, 2023 - 19:55 Robbie Mitchell

The Egyptian Beer Recipe Is the Oldest In the World (Video)

Amidst the grandeur of Egyptian history lies an enduring legacy—the art of brewing beer. Hieroglyphs within Pharaohs' chambers unveil a civilization sustained by this liquid gold. Collaborating with...

Image of ancient god Akhenaten. Source: Vlad/Adobe Stock

15 December, 2023 - 00:57 Robbie Mitchell

The Mystery of Akhenaten's Revolution (Video)

In the ancient annals of Egypt, a mysterious chapter unfolds around Akhenaten , a Pharaoh who dared challenge millennia of entrenched beliefs. Around 3,000 years ago, this audacious ruler initiated a...

Some of the baboon skulls for Ancient Egypt that were available for the study. Source: Bea De Cupere, CC-BY 4.0/PLoS ONE

7 December, 2023 - 13:56 Sahir

Sacred Egyptian Baboons Suffered in Captivity, Finds Study

A recent study has investigated skeletal remains of 36 individual baboons spanning various age groups, dated from 800 to 500 BC, in ancient Egypt. The findings suggest that baboons were intentionally...

Seventh Plague of Egypt (1823) by John Martin, a painting of the Old Testament bible story. Source: Public domain

6 December, 2023 - 17:56 Ahmed Osman

Egypt Remembers: Where are the Ancient Accounts of the Great Exodus?

The biblical story of the Israelites’ Descent and Great Exodus speaks about important events that took place in Egypt. We should, therefore, expect to find records of these events in Egyptian sources...

A majestic sculpture of Pharaoh Akhenaten under the sun disc of Aten. Source: y EOL STUDIOS /Adobe Stock

29 November, 2023 - 16:08 Robbie Mitchell

How Akhenaten Demolished Centuries of Egyptian Tradition (Video)

In the historical upheaval orchestrated by Pharaoh Akhenaten , the once polytheistic tapestry of Egyptian beliefs unraveled. Akhenaten, a radical monarch, discarded centuries-old traditions by...