The History of Egypt Podcast

In April 2021, Egyptologists working in Luxor announced a major discovery. A new “lost” city, associated with Amunhotep III (and probably Akhenaten as well). In this brief roundup, we discuss the details, the context, and the significance of the find. Date c.1350 BCE and 2021 CE. Music by Keith Zizza. Music by Ancient Lyric. Photo links: Site location by Vicky Jensen on Egyptology Forum (image). E...

Splendour and Ceremony. On April 3rd, 2021, Egypt hosted a magnificent celebration. Royal mummies, including Kings and Queens, departed their old home and made for a new one. In future, these rulers will reside in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Moving the royal mummies was a complex, grandiose event. I report on the parade, and the historical background of these famous mummies… Reco...

A complicated career. In the reigns of Akhenaten and Tut'ankhamun, one of Egypt's top religious officials was Mery-Neith ("Beloved of Neith"). This man served in the temples, first as a Steward, then as the High Priest of Aten in Amarna. Along the way, Meryneith had to navigate the difficult political waters. To survive in Akhenaten's court, he even had to change his name... Date c.1360 – 1340 BCE...

I'm bringing ma'at back. One of Tutankhamun's famous projects is the Restoration, a country-wide program of repairs and gifts for major temples. After the excesses of Akhenaten, the boy king and his government invested massive amounts of resources. Their goal? Renew the temples, replenish the priesthood, and curry favour with both the gods and the elites of Egyptian society...   Date c.1341 BCE. W...

Tut-Ankh-Amun. Early in his reign, the young pharaoh Tut-ankh-Aten changed his name to Tut-ankh-Amun. Why did he do this? What did it mean? And how much control did this young ruler have over his own identity? Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Keith Zizza https://www.keithzizza....

A famous reign. Following the death of Nefer-neferu-aten, a new ruler came to the throne. Tut-ankh-Aten was young, perhaps nine years old. He inherited power at a tumultuous point in history... Date c. 1343 BCE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Keith Zizza. Additional music by...

What does a mummy smell like? Prof. Ann Rosalie David is a pioneering researcher in mummies and ancient pathology. Having led many studies on Egyptian bodies, Prof. David helps reconstruct the lifestyles of the past. In this interview, she helpfully answers questions about ancient diseases, the Amarna royal mummies, and some left-field topics as well. Learn more about Ann Rosalie David and her wor...

Powerful, but vanished. Following the death of Akhenaten, several prominent women disappear from history. Meritaten, the King’s Eldest Daughter; Kiya, one of his wives; and two mysterious daughters, the “Tasherits” present unresolved questions. What happened to them? We explore this question… Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a...

A Hidden Monument? In recent years, the public has thrilled to reports that hidden chambers, in the tomb of Tutankhamun, might contain the burial of Nefertiti. But the question of Nefertiti's tomb is complicated. In fact, it's possible she never even received a kingly/royal burial. In this episode, we explore the results of many studies... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show...

A Short-Lived Reign. By 1344 BCE, Nefer-neferu-Aten (Nefertiti) was in her mid-thirties. She did not have long to live. In her third regnal year, the King of Egypt died. Her death is mysterious: was it natural, an accident, or murder? Studying Nefertiti's last years, and the mummy that might belong to her, we go in search of answers. How did Nefertiti die? Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com....

Nefer-neferu-Aten. Following the death of Akhenaten, Queen Nefertiti may have become a King. Modern research suggests that, following her husband's death, Nefertiti became the new pharaoh. Her reign, and policies, are a shadowy but fascinating chapter in the royal history... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation...

Recorded 2024. The daughters of Akhenaten and Nefertiti were not just "ornaments" for their parents. Like many princesses, they also participated in the religious rituals and royal pageantry of the Egyptian government. In this interview, Courtney Marx (MA, George Mason University) joins us on behalf of the American Research Center in Egypt, to discuss the Amarna princesses and their role as priest...

In the city of Akhet-Aten (Amarna) a small tomb hides a noteworthy story. Here, we find the life and work of a police officer. Mahu, Chief of the Medjay in Akhet-Aten, managed the guards who patrolled the Horizon of Aten. Mahu, and his troops, were responsible for guarding the outposts and apprehending fugitives. Possibly, they were also involved in criminal punishments. Some of those practices we...

Fatma Keshk is an Egyptologist, archaeologist and researcher in Egyptian heritage. She leads the outreach project "The Place and the People," working to strengthen ties between archaeologists and local Egyptian communities. It is my pleasure to welcome Fatma to the History of Egypt Podcast; I hope you enjoy the conversation. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www...

Aaron de Souza is an archaeologist specializing in the material culture of Egypt and Nubia. He earned his PhD at Macquarie University, Sydney, in 2016, and is now a Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellow at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, in Vienna. In the field, Aaron works with ceramics and material culture, particularly in cemetery contexts. He has published several articles and a book, titled New Hor...

Heba Abd el Gawad is an exhibition curator, public outreach specialist and researcher in Egyptian heritage within museum contexts. She is the postdoctoral researcher for the project ‘Egypt’s Dispersed Heritage: Views from Egypt’ at the Institute of Archaeology, University College of London, in addition to many other important works. Heba joins the History of Egypt Podcast to discuss public outreac...

An unofficial history, just for fun. In distant ages, and forgotten realms, a mighty civilization once flourished on the banks of a great river. The people of Nehekhara and their great kings are now a memory… but they are not dead. Not quite. Today, we dive into the lore of a fantasy civilization, inspired by ancient Egypt… Date c.2,500 Before the Imperial Calendar (I.C.). Includes non-canonical m...

Legacy and Summary. Today, we look back at Akhenaten's reign, and I ramble for a while about his importance in history, both ancient and modern... Date c. 1346 BCE and 20th Century CE, Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. Music by Ancient Lyric www.b...

Side-episode. Today we discuss some "extra" items from Akhenaten's tomb. Also, we return to KV55, that elusive monument in the Valley of the Kings, to see some reasons why it *might* be Akhenaten. Date c.1346 BCE Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com M...

A controversy comes to its end. King Akhenaten died in his 17th year on the throne. Surprisingly, we know a lot about his passing and his burial. From the date of his death, to his sarcophagus, shabti figurines and his innovative tomb, we can get a sense of how this controversial ruler finally met his end... Date c.1346 BC. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www....

Erasing a God. Sometime in his reign, Akhenaten initiated a project that has made him infamous. The King’s agents, sculptors and masons travelled throughout the country, visiting major temples and shrines. Their job? Hack away the name and figure of Amun, King of the Gods, wherever they found it. This project is the most controversial of Akhenaten’s reign. Today, we dig into what happened, and why...

Interview. Chris Naunton is the former head of the Egypt Exploration Society and the elected President International Association of Egyptologists (2016-2019). With decades of experience, he is an enthusiastic and engaging scholar, with a particular talent for outreach and communication. Dr. Naunton sat down to discuss the city of Amarna, its exploration, and the evidence that helps us connect with...

How it was made, how it was discovered, and how it wound up in a museum far from its home. Date c.1347 BCE and 1912 CE. Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Follow the show on social media www.facebook.com/egyptpodcast and www.twitter.com/egyptianpodcast. Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza...

The Queen becomes King. Throughout Akhenaten’s reign, the Great King’s Wife Neferet-Iti (Nefertiti) grew more and more prominent. By regnal year 16 (1437 BCE), she seemed to be an equal to her husband. Eventually, the Queen may have transitioned to a new role, and become a co-regent alongside Akhenaten. In this episode, we explore the evidence for Nefertiti as a King… Chapter two begins at 22:38 D...

A Short-Lived Ruler. In 1349 BCE, Egypt had two kings. But not for long. The young ruler, Smenkhkare, was destined to die early. In this episode, we explore the strange case of Akhenaten's co-king... Date c.1349 BCE Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Social media www.facebook.com/egyptpod...