Africa - The History Files

The Tomb of Queen Nefertari: Shedding Light on the Importance of Burial and Burial Practices in New Kingdom Egypt

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Queen Nefertari, whose name meant “Beautiful Companion” was the Great Royal Wife and Queen of Ramesses II, the third Pharaoh of the 19th dynasty. She is probably one of the most well known Queens of ancient Egypt, and her tomb is one of the largest and most lavishly decorated tombs of the period. Belief in the divine and the afterlife was an integral part of everyday life in ancient Egyptian society, and Nefertari’s tomb allows us a tantalizing glimpse of just how life and death were interwoven, as well as the ancient Egyptian’s beliefs about the journey between death and …

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Any company that generates an artistic creation, and directly influences the chip. Measure the influence of various factors is given by their place in human community. In ancient Egypt, outside the natural environment – soil, climate, resources, raw materials, etc.,two institutions have made their mark on the society decisively, including art. These two institutions were religious power and political power. The close interdependence of the evolution of Egyptian art in this fundamental institution of civilization is an essential feature of ancient Egypt. It is hard to distinguish how far art has been influenced by religious and political institutions which began authority. This is because the old concept Egyptian Pharaoh “gets this power (the king n.ns.) ascent to the throne during the ceremony. Then performs the recognition by the gods of his divine nature … making him king. But the enthronement of King relies on a prerequisite: in his veins flows a divine blood “(Drioton Etienne, Pierre du Bourguet, Art Pharaohs. A complete history of Egyptian art. Pharaohs, conquerors of Art, Bucharest, 1972, vol I, p. 38).

To what extent was Akhetaten (el-Amarna) a religious cult centre rather than an urban entity and political capital?

The city of Akhetaten, with the modern name of Tell el-Amarna, which was built by the heretic pharoah Amenhotep IV, who is better known by the name of Akhenaten, was both a religious centre and political capital although for only a short period of time during one of the most interesting dynasties of ancient Egypt. As Matthew Dillon proposes el-Armarna could be considered a religious cult centre due to the temples, chapels and shrines decorated with scenes of Akhenaten, with and without his family, worshipping and offering to the Aten¹ However with the discovery of the Amarna Letters it is obvious that it was a diplomatic capital as well. The Aten cult was a major shift in religious thought and practice² that shattered centuries of tradition³ endangered the economic stability of the Empire, and undermined Egypt’s political status⁴

People often create a change in lifestyle in order to make life more interesting. The classic vacation or holiday – the idea of getting away from routine life or one’s home for fun, change or relaxation has been a cherished lifestyle ideal for ages. While the residents of hot regions like India or the Middle East tend to go to alpine locations such as the Himalayas or the Alps for enjoyment, those residing in colder areas like Europe usually want to go south for a warmer experience. Getting away from the norm for a holiday is what most groups of …

The Egyptians are very historical nation and are famous due to their extraordinary inventions, similarly they produced colors by using different artificial technologies to obtain different colors. Two of the best colors produced out of ancient Egypt were known as verdigris and lead-white. A shiny surface is brought about when copper plates and exposed to acid billows and corrosion. A blue-green tincture could be brought about by the use of corrosion and verdigris. The effect of corrosion is long lasting since the strongest tart available in ancient Egypt was vinegar. Lead white is a color produced by from feedback from …

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King Tutankhamun or king Tut was an Egyptian pharaoh, who is famous as the boy king. It is believed that he was an eighteenth dynasty pharaoh, whose rule is estimated to be between 1333 BC – 1324 BC. One of the most interesting facts about king Tut is that he became a ruler at the age of nine. Even though, king Tut’s tomb was discovered in 1922, his life and death still remains a mystery. Read on, for some amazing king Tut facts. King Tut’s Birth Nothing was known about the parentage of king Tut, since his tomb was discovered …

As we look back through history, we find that there are certain people who simply stand out, they came into the spotlight for some reason or another. There are different reasons for this, but one of the most common ones is the fact that the person in question did something for the betterment of society and in many cases the betterment of mankind in general. Of course, there were the ones who tried to destroy humanity and that is why they are remembered. The person that we want to look at today gave the best he had in him to …

“O’er Egypt’s land of memory floods are level,And they are thine, O Nile! and well thou knowestThe soul-sustaining airs and blasts of evil,And fruits, and poisons spring where’er thou flowest.” – Percy Bysshe Shelley We have all heard of the phrase that Egypt is the “gift of the Nile“. Yes it is a fact that Egypt would not have been inhabitable in the absence of River Nile. The Nile has flooded and still floods the land in Egypt and deposits black sediment, which is why Egyptians called it “Ar” which means “black”. The river was named Nile since there is …

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Egyptian civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in the world that grew along the banks of the river Nile. Ancient Egypt began sometime during 3150 BC. The Initial years of ancient Egypt was a golden period during the rule of the pharaohs. The civilization of ancient Egypt declined once the rule of the pharaohs ended in 31 BC and it was conquered by the Roman Empire. This is one civilization that thrived on conditions and flow of the River Nile. The river Nile controlled not only the agriculture but also the culture and social life of the people. Memphis …

I have always found Egypt as a mesmerizing place with a mystical appeal to it. A study of the daily life of the people of ancient Egypt unfolds many interesting stories. People that lived during the ancient Egyptian civilization were rather advanced in their thought process. This is prevalent by the various construction techniques used for building pyramids, their use of medicines, the techniques employed for the agriculture processes and many other features. The one thing that has always interested me was ancient Egyptian fashion. With soaring temperature, the people of ancient Egypt always had to use lightweight material for …

The Tomb of Queen Nefertari: Shedding Light on the Importance of Burial and Burial Practices in New Kingdom Egypt

Pharaoh Political Institution and Its Influence On Art

Akhetaten – a religious cult centre, urban entity and a political capital?

To what extent was Akhetaten (el-Amarna) a religious cult centre rather than an urban entity and political capital?

Things To Do In Egypt: a Land of Wonders

The invention of Colors by Egyptians

King Tut Facts: Birth, Life, Death

Imhotep: Everything You Need To Know

Nile River Facts

Pharaohs, Queens and Pyramids of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian Fashion