Egypt ,The Historical & Modern Land

06/05/2025

Cleopatra the last queen of Egypt
Cleopatra VII was the last queen of Egypt, ruling from 51 to 30 BCE. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, descended from Ptolemy I Soter, a general of Alexander the Great.

05/04/2025

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7QHX5ai93ZY&si=MJcfYVfyM4rTFjSr

You won’t believe what they just discovered under the Great Pyramid! 😲 Yep, scientists found hidden secret chambers that have been sealed off for thousands ...

05/05/2024

Happy Easter 🙏🙏🙏

06/01/2024

Ancient Egyptian Mummy Study Identifies Childbirth Death

According to a Live Science report, a new study of the mummified remains of a teenager recovered in Egypt in 1908 has revealed that she died while giving birth to twins. The girl is thought to have stood about five feet tall and weighed between 100 and 120 pounds at the time of her death. The remains of one fetus, bandaged and placed with the placenta between the girl’s legs, was discovered during an initial examination in 1908. The second fetus was first spotted in the mummy’s chest cavity in 2019, when archaeologist Francine Margolis took a CT scan of the remains. She and David Hunt of George Washington University have now X-rayed the mummy for another look. “When we saw the second fetus we knew we had a unique find and a first for ancient Egyptian archaeology,” she said. The researchers concluded that the teen died in labor, when the head of the first fetus became trapped in the birth canal. The remains of the second fetus are thought to have shifted into the chest cavity during the mummification process. The mummy’s head is missing, although photographs taken of it in 1908 are available. “If we found her head and her teeth are present, destructive testing on teeth and hair could provide information on her diet and metabolic stress she was experiencing during her life,” Margolis said. Read the original scholarly article about this research in International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. To read about noninvasive CT scanning of Egyptian mummies, go to "Inside a Pharaoh's Coffin," one of ARCHAEOLOGY's Top 10 Discoveries of 2022.

06/01/2024

Old Kingdom Tomb Discovered in Saqqara

CAIRO, EGYPT—
Ahram Online reports that a tomb dated to between 2649 and 2150 B.C. has been discovered in Saqqara by a team of Japanese and Egyptian archaeologists. Mustafa Waziri of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities said that the remains of an adult, who was interred wearing a colored mask, and the burial of a small child were found in the rock-cut tomb. In this area of the necropolis, the researchers also uncovered burials from Egypt’s Late Period (712–332 B.C.) and the Ptolemaic period (304–30 B.C.), as well as an 18th Dynasty (1550–1295 B.C.) coffin containing a well-preserved alabaster vessel. Two terracotta statues of the goddess Isis; a terracotta statue of Harpocrates, a child deity; amulets; pottery models; and ostraca bearing hieratic inscriptions were also recovered. To read about another discovery from Saqqara, go to "Old Kingdom Tomb," one of ARCHAEOLOGY's Top 10 Discoveries of 2019.

10/12/2023

The moment of discovery in 2004 of an approximately 3,500-year-old burial mask. From the tomb of Djehuty, Karnak, Egypt.

10/12/2023

New discovery in Saqqara, Giza, Egypt, and looking as it was painted yesterday....

10/12/2023

Ancient Egyptian rock crystal ring carved in the shape of a sphinx dates back to 1295-1069 BC. The age and origins of the Great Sphinx of Giza remain a subject of debate among experts.
While many Egyptologists believe it was constructed during the Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BC), there are no inscriptions from that era mentioning the Sphinx.
Geologist Robert Schoch proposed that water erosion on the Sphinx suggests it could be much older, possibly around 10,000 BC, dating back to the end of the last Ice Age. Schoch also questioned the head of the Sphinx, suggesting it might not be the original head and could have been placed there later.
Egyptologist Zahi Hawass countered Schoch's hypothesis, stating that no artifacts or inscriptions predate Egyptian civilization by more than 5,000 years.
Regarding erosion, some geologists suggest it could result from Nile river flooding, while others point to Haloclasty, a process involving moisture and salt crystals within limestone that can cause erosion when heated.

10/12/2023

In 1974 the mummy of Rameses II was to be sent to Paris for preservation and maintenance work. Because of French law, Egypt was forced to issue a passport for the mummy, 3000 years after he died. The date of birth reads 1303 B.C and his occupation was listed as "King (deceased).”

10/12/2023

Full Moon Illuminating the Obelisk of Luxor Temple, Egypt
The Obelisk of Luxor Temple stands tall and proud, a magnificent monument that has withstood the test of time. Located in the heart of Luxor, Egypt, this ancient obelisk is a symbol of the grandeur and majesty of the pharaohs who ruled over the land thousands of years ago. With its towering height and intricate carvings, the obelisk serves as a testament to the advanced architectural and artistic skills of the ancient Egyptians.
The obelisk was originally erected in the 13th century BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great. It was one of a pair, with its twin now gracing the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. These obelisks were carved out of a single piece of red granite and transported from the ancient city of Thebes (modern-day Luxor) to their current locations.
Standing at a height of approximately 25 meters (82 feet) and weighing an estimated 230 tons, the Obelisk of Luxor Temple is an impressive sight to behold. The precision and craftsmanship involved in creating such a massive structure without the aid of modern machinery are awe-inspiring. The obelisk tapers towards the top and is adorned with intricate hieroglyphic carvings that depict religious and historical scenes.
These carvings provide valuable insights into the beliefs, rituals, and achievements of the ancient Egyptians. They depict scenes of Ramses II making offerings to various deities, including the sun god Ra, and engaging in battles and triumphs. The hieroglyphics also include inscriptions glorifying Ramses II's reign and his divine right to rule as a pharaoh.
In addition to its artistic and historical significance, the Obelisk of Luxor Temple also holds astronomical significance. The ancient Egyptians had a deep understanding of celestial movements, and the obelisk served as a giant sundial, casting a shadow that moved throughout the day, allowing them to measure time accurately.
The journey of the obelisk from its original location to Luxor Temple is a remarkable feat in itself. The transportation process involved cutting the obelisk from the bedrock, carefully shaping it, and then using sledges and ropes to move it to the banks of the Nile River. From there, it was floated on barges to Luxor, a distance of about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles). The sheer logistical challenges involved in such a task demonstrate the engineering prowess of the ancient Egyptians.
Today, the Obelisk of Luxor Temple continues to captivate visitors from around the world. It stands proudly as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the ancient Egyptians, who left behind an enduring legacy of art, architecture, and culture. Its presence in Luxor, surrounded by the remnants of other grand temples and structures, transports visitors back in time, allowing them to glimpse the magnificence of ancient Egypt.
Visiting the Obelisk of Luxor Temple offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past and appreciate the achievements of one of the world's most fascinating civilizations. As you stand before this colossal structure, you can't help but marvel at the skill and dedication it took to create such a masterpiece. It serves as a reminder that while time marches on, the legacy of the ancient Egyptians lives on, continuing to inspire and intrigue us to this day.

10/12/2023

The image below is what the Pyramid of Khafre looked like right after it was completed in 2560 BCE. The original was encased in white limestone, and the peak was made of solid gold.
For thousands of years, the pyramid stood nearly unchanged. However, in 1303, a powerful earthquake struck the area, dislodging much of the limestone. This earthquake also triggered tsunamis that caused severe damage and loss of life in Crete and Alexandria.
The local inhabitants used their rudimentary tools to take apart the limestones, which were now easier to pull out due to the damage they had sustained from the earthquake.
The limestones that were stripped from the pyramid were used to build mosques and fortifications on the order of a local Sultan. The gold cap at the peak of the pyramid was also taken away, never to be seen again.
With the absence of its white limestone shell, the pyramid was no longer able to reflect the sun, making it visible from miles away.