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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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A man called "Abisha the Hyksos" was part of a foreign delegation described in a painting on the tomb of Khnumhotep II (circa 1900 B.C.) This is one of the earliest known uses of the term "Hyksos."

Foreign dynasty's rise to power in ancient Egypt was an inside job

By Mindy Weisberger

Ancient Egypt was once ruled by a dynasty of foreigners known as the Hyksos, but new evidence shows that this takeover wasn't an invasion from a distant land.

The richly decorated sanctuary in the Red Monastery at Sohag in Egypt.

Explore ancient Egyptian queen's tomb and a Coptic monastery with this new 3D virtual tour

By Laura Geggel

These virtual tours will entertain you while you're stuck at home during the pandemic.

A closeup of the papyrus showing the Egyptian jackal-headed god Anubis shooting Kephalas with an arrow. Kephalas is depicted nude with an enlarged penis and scrotum. The arrow Anubis shoots is supposed to make Kephalas lustful for a woman named Taromeway.

Woman seeks man in ancient Egyptian 'erotic binding spell'

By Owen Jarus

An Egyptian papyrus dating to 1,800 years describes a spell conjuring a ghost to play matchmaker between a woman and the man of her dreams.

This individual had a number of grave goods. It appears that the red pigment ochre covered part of the grave when the deceased was laid to rest.

Dozens of ancient Egyptian graves found with rare clay coffins

By Laura Geggel

Archaeologists have found 83 graves filled with the bones and artifacts of ancient Egyptians, not too far from the Mediterranean Sea.

One artifact was said to show the earliest depiction of the Christian crucifixion, but experts said its iconography was much later than its supposed date in the third century A.D.

Trial begins for archaeologist accused of forging earliest portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion

By Tom Metcalfe

Several skulls were found in the burial ground. These would likely be from mummies that have not survived intact.

Mummies of ancient Egyptian priests found buried with thousands of afterlife 'servants'

By Owen Jarus

A massive burial ground holding the remains of several high priests of ancient Egypt, along with their assistants, has been discovered in the northern part of the site of Tuna el-Gebel.

The mummified body of the ancient Egyptian priest Nesyamun underwent medical scans in 2018 so that a copy of its vocal tract could be made.

Egyptian mummy speaks again after 3,000 years

By Tom Metcalfe

The voice of an ancient Egyptian priest has been heard for the first time in more than 3,000 years, thanks to a detailed reconstruction of his vocal tract from his mummified remains.

This cat statue, along with many others, was discovered in a tomb discovered at Saqqara in Egypt.

Two Lion Cub Mummies Discovered in Egypt for the First Time

By Owen Jarus

Two mummified lions, dating back about 2,600 years, have been discovered in a tomb full of cat statues and cat mummies in Saqqara, in Egypt.

The exterior of the catacomb that the Egyptian-Japanese team discovered. It was constructed almost 2,000 years ago at a time when the Romans ruled Egypt.

Magnificent Egyptian Catacomb Reveals Carvings of a 'Worthy' Woman and Her Pet

By Owen Jarus

Almost 2,000 years ago, at a time when the Romans ruled Egypt, a woman named "Demetria" was laid to rest in a magnificently decorated catacomb at Saqqara in Egypt.

A group of researchers used a CT scan to examine the insides of this ancient Egyptian cat mummy held at the Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes in France.

Inside Ancient Egyptian Cat Mummy, Archaeologists Find the Remains of 3 Cats

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

Scans of the inside of an ancient cat mummy revealed that the 2,500-year-old feline supposedly resting within wasn't a single animal.

Cachette of the Priests mummies discovered.

30 Perfectly Preserved Coffins Holding Ancient Egyptian Priest Mummies Discovered

By Owen Jarus

Archaeologists have unearthed 30 sealed wooden coffins with mummies inside at "El-Assasif," an ancient necropolis near Luxor, Egypt.

Valley of the Kings discoveries

2 Mummies Unearthed in Ancient Egyptian Cemetery Where King Tut and Other Royalty Were Buried

By Owen Jarus

Two mummies have been unearthed in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, the cemetery holding the tomb of King Tut and other Egyptian royalty.

Excavations for a sewer system inadvertently unearthed a 2,200-year-old temple in Egypt.

Ancient Egyptian Temple from Reign of King Ptolemy IV Unearthed Along Nile River

By Stephanie Pappas

Excavations for a sewer system inadvertently unearthed a 2,200-year-old temple in Egypt from the reign of King Ptolemy IV.

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