Articles tagged with Egyptology
A new study by Yale Ancient Pharmacology Program reveals evidence of opium use in ancient Egyptian society, suggesting it was part of daily life. The discovery also raises the possibility that alabaster jars found in King Tut's tomb contained opium as part of an ancient tradition.
Researchers from Uppsala University uncovered the earliest occupation and creation myth links of the Karnak Temple, establishing a 4000-year history of human settlement. The team's analysis suggests that the temple was built on an island of high ground formed by river channels, reflecting Ancient Egyptian cosmogony.
The study establishes the earliest occupation at Karnak as around 2520 BCE, coinciding with the Old Kingdom period. Researchers also found a link between the temple's location and an Ancient Egyptian creation myth, where the high ground on which Karnak was built may have been seen as a manifestation of the creator god Ra-Amun.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding ancient Egyptian writing practices in the Fayum Basin, with a focus on temple administration and cultural exchange. The study has shed light on the importance of Greek language in Egypt during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
A USF study has confirmed the existence of hallucinogenic cocktails in ancient Egyptian fertility rituals, using a Bes mug as evidence. The concoction, flavored with honey and other ingredients, was likely used to induce dream-vision in magic rituals reenacting Egyptian myths.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports identified degenerative joint changes in the skeletal remains of 30 adult male scribes buried between 2700 and 2180 BCE. These changes were more common among scribes compared to men with other occupations, suggesting prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks may have led to their degeneration.
Researchers analyzed two ancient skulls and found cutmarks suggesting surgical interventions related to cancerous cells. The study provides new insights into the limitations of ancient Egyptian medical knowledge, highlighting their efforts to explore cancer treatments.
The study reveals that the pyramids were concentrated in a narrow desert strip due to a former river branch, known as Ahramat, which is now buried beneath farmland and desert. The findings suggest that the river branch was used for transporting construction materials and could help prioritize archaeological excavations along its banks.
Researchers found compelling evidence that the Milky Way highlighted Nut's divine presence, tracing her backbone across the heavens. The study also connected Egyptian beliefs with those of other cultures, showing similarities in how different societies interpret the Milky Way.
A new study published in PLOS ONE provides detailed insights into the timing of events in ancient Gezer, a city known from Egyptian, Assyrian, and Biblical texts. The radiocarbon dates suggest that some proposed correlations between the archaeological record and ancient texts are plausible.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute have recreated an ancient Egyptian woman's scent used in her mummification, revealing complex ingredients and trade connections. The 'scent of eternity' blend includes beeswax, plant oil, and exotic resins, highlighting sophisticated mummification practices and long-distance trade.
The analysis of balms used to preserve ancient Egyptian noblewoman Senetnay's organs reveals a complex composition with imported ingredients, indicating her high social status. The presence of specific compounds, such as larixol and dammar, suggests that different balms were used for different organs.
MagEIA, a new Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, will research magical text traditions of the ancient Near East, Egypt, and neighbouring regions. The project aims to develop new methods of textual analysis and models of cross-cultural comparison.
Researchers analyzed six sealed copper alloy animal coffins using neutron tomography, identifying bones, textiles, and lead fragments that shed light on ancient Egyptian mummification techniques and ritual purposes.
The 'Golden boy' mummy is a 2,300-year-old undisturbed body equipped with 49 amulets of 21 different types, including golden and semiprecious stones. CT scans reveal these amulets were placed to protect the body and give it vitality in the afterlife.
Researchers from Egypt used 3D CT scanning to 'digitally unwrap' the mummy of Pharaoh Amenhotep I, dispelling a theory that 21st dynasty restorers reused old royal burial equipment. The study revealed that the priests lovingly repaired injuries inflicted by tomb robbers and preserved the pharaoh's jewelry and amulets.
The 'Wadi Abu Dom Itinerary' project has made its archaeological findings from Sudan available online, allowing the public to explore and compare data with other researchers. The project's geoinformation system enables users to view point data and area data for all recorded structures and access additional information.
A new long-term project will systematically record and digitally inventory hieratic and cursive hieroglyphic characters from selected sources. The database will provide search options and facilitate international cooperation, while also offering metadata on sources.
New research suggests that Tutankhamen fathered twins, based on analysis of the mummified remains found in his tomb. The study, led by Professor Robert Connolly, confirms that the two foetuses are likely to be twins and were born to the teenage Pharaoh.