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Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt is famous for its pyramids, pharaohs and mummies, but archaeologists are still learning about this sophisticated society. The 5,000-year-old kingdom left behind a written record and countless artifacts, allowing archaeologists to learn about its culture, including its elaborate ideas on the afterlife and gods and goddesses, as well as its taxes and trading and farming practices. Here's the latest news on Egyptian archaeology and what it can tell us about the people who lived there.

Related Topics: Archaeology, Dead Sea Scrolls, Mummies

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Ancient columns in Egypt

Divers Find Remains of Ancient Temple in Sunken Egyptian City

By Laura Geggel

The underwater city was named after the legendary Hercules, who ancient people believed actually visited the city.

Bent Pyramid

Egypt's 'Bent Pyramid' Opens for First Time in More Than 50 Years

By Laura Geggel

For the first time since 1965, two pyramids built by the ancient Egyptians, including the unique "Bent Pyramid," are being opened to the public, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.

Space Archaeology Is a Thing. And It Involves Lasers and Spy Satellites

By Mindy Weisberger

High-orbiting satellites offer clues about what lies buried underground.

Indiana Jones Meets 'Star Wars' in 'Archaeology From Space.' Enter to Win a Copy!

By Mindy Weisberger

What's it like to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations...from space?

This life-size ancient sculpture depicting the head of King Tut sold for nearly $6 million at Christie's in London on July 4.

King Tut Sculpture with Sketchy Origins Sells at Christie's for Nearly $6 Million

By Owen Jarus

Egypt's ministry of antiquities thinks the statue was stolen from the Karnak Temple some time after 1970.

This life-size ancient sculpture depicting the head of King Tut is set to be auctioned by Christie's on July 4.

Exclusive: Controversial King Tut Statue Has Sketchy Origins. Now Christie's Is Selling it.

By Owen Jarus

A Live Science investigation reveals more about the sketchy origins of a statue that has led to a diplomatic dispute between Egypt, the U.K. and the auction house Christie's.

Egyptian fortress

Ancient Egyptians Built This 4-Towered Fortress More Than 2,600 Years Ago

By Laura Geggel

Egyptian princesses

King Tut's Sisters Took the Throne Before He Did, Controversial Claim Says

By Laura Geggel

Giza cemetery

In Photos: Ancient Cemetery Near Giza Pyramids

By Owen Jarus

Archaeologists working in Egypt have discovered a 4,500-year-old cemetery filled with tombs, sarcophagi, mummies and artifacts.

Archaeologists working southeast of the Giza Pyramids have discovered part of a cemetery that dates back about 4,500 years.

4,500-Year-Old Cemetery and Sarcophagi Discovered by Giza Pyramids

By Owen Jarus

A huge tomb holding the remains of two men, including a priest, were discovered in the ancient cemetery.

Archaeologists discovered an ancient Egyptian tomb belonging to a man named Tjt. Inside the tomb were several mummies, including two that were placed on top of each other.

Ancient Tomb of Mysterious Man Named Tjt Discovered in Egypt

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

Inside were many mummies and a statue of a ba-bird.

Remains of a chapel found by Khuwy's tomb had been heavily robbed by ancient stone robbers. Hieroglyphs found in the tomb indicate that Khuwy was a senior administrator who held a high rank in the court of pharaoh Djedkare Isesi.

Mummy of Pharaoh's Official Discovered Inside Limestone Sarcophagus in Egypt

By Owen Jarus

The mummified remains of a high-ranking official named Khuwy were discovered in a colorful tomb that dates back 4,400 years.

pharaoh Senwosret III

Why Are the Noses Broken on So Many Ancient Egyptian Statues?

By Laura Geggel

Why do so many Egyptian statues have broken noses?

Wadi el-Hudi

100 Ancient Egyptian Inscriptions Found at Amethyst Mining Site

By Owen Jarus

Archaeologists have uncovered more than 100 ancient inscriptions carved into rock at Wadi el-Hudi, where the ancient Egyptians mined amethyst.

Baris barge

2,500 Years Ago, Herodotus Described a Weird Ship. Now, Archaeologists Have Found it.

By Laura Geggel

One of the most elusive boats from the ancient world — a mysterious river barge that famed Greek historian Herodotus described nearly 2,500 years ago — has finally been discovered.

The ram's head — missing its uppermost part — sticks out of the ground at Gebel el-Silsila.

Photos: The Ram-Headed Sphinx of Gebel el-Silsila

By Stephanie Pappas

Archaeologists discovered a ram-headed sphinx dating back some 3,700 years at a famous site in Egypt.

Workers dig a trench to excavate a large stone "criosphinx" (a sphinx with a ram's head) from quarry rubble at the Nile-side side of Gebel el-Silsila.

Ram-Headed Sphinx Abandoned by King Tut's Grandfather Found in Egypt

By Stephanie Pappas

A giant, unfinished ram-headed sphinx has been found in a quarry site near the Nile.

At least part of the Meidum pyramid, located south of Cairo in Egypt, was built for the pharaoh Snefru.

Skeleton of Teen Girl Found Buried Next to Mysterious Pyramid in Egypt

By Owen Jarus

The 13-year-old was buried next to a partially collapsed pyramid dating back 4,600 years.

Within the cemetery, archaeologists also found two animal sacrifices, likely the heads of two bulls.

Photos: Teen's Skeleton Buried Next to Pyramid in Egypt

By Owen Jarus

Archaeologists have discovered the skeleton of a girl who was around 13 years of age when she died. Here's a look at the remains, the cemetery and the mysterious pyramid near where she was buried.

The mummies were from individuals of all ages, both male and female. Some were buried in niches within the maze of burial chambers at Tuna el-Gebel.

Maze of Tombs in Egypt Holds Many Mummies Dating Back 2,300 Years

By Jeanna Bryner

The mummies spanned all ages and were buried in various types of tombs, all seeming to date back to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which lasted from 305 to 30 B.C.