Ancient Egypt

Egyptian pyramids and sphinx
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

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.

Latest about Ancient Egyptians

This is the largest relief found at the tomb of Panehsy in Saqqara.

3,300-year-old ancient Egyptian tombs and chapel with 'amazing' decorations unearthed at Saqqara

By Owen Jarus published

Newfound tombs from ancient Egypt at Saqqara include the burials of a temple overseer, royal treasury artist and an unknown individual.

A metal coffin shaped like a lizard.

Hidden contents of 6 ancient Egyptian coffins, sealed for thousands of years, revealed

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Scientists used neutron tomography to see inside six sealed ancient Egyptian coffins that were used to bury animals.

Here we see three images against a white background. Each image has several hand skeletons that are colored digitally in purples, greens and browns.

Severed hands buried in ancient Egyptian palace were likely 'trophies' exchanged for gold

By Owen Jarus published

Twelve severed hands found buried at an ancient Egyptian palace were likely cut from enemies and exchanged for gold in a ceremony known as "gold of honor," a new study finds.

Egypt scene on the back of a throne of King Tut and his wife Ankhesenamun.

Which ancient Egyptian dynasty ruled the longest?

By Owen Jarus published

The 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt, which reigned from about 1550 B.C. to 1292 B.C., was the longest lasting.

The sarcophagus (coffin) of the famed pharaoh Tutankhamun (King Tut) is on display at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, Egypt.

Who ruled ancient Egypt after King Tut died?

By Owen Jarus published

When the pharaoh Tutankhamun died young, his widow may have tried to remain on the Egyptian throne, ancient letters reveal.

The ram skulls neatly lines up in rows.

2,000 mummified rams' heads were gifted to long-dead ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II

By Harry Baker published

Researchers have discovered a vast cranium collection that was likely left as an offering to Ramesses II, a much-loved pharaoh who died around 1,000 years before the skulls were embalmed.

This head of a sphinx statue shows Ramesses II, a ruler who expanded Egypt's empire.

Ancient Egyptian pharaoh-sphinx statues unearthed at sun temple

By Owen Jarus published

Archaeologists have discovered broken pharaoh-sphinx statues at an ancient Egyptian sun temple.

This zodiac sign depicts Sagittarius. While the zodiac signs at Esna were known before cleaning was done the work allows them to be seen more clearly. Here we see a centaur with a scorpion's tail aiming a bow and arrow.

Ancient zodiac paintings on Egyptian temple see the light of day after 2,200 years

By Owen Jarus published

A restoration project has revealed ancient Egyptian zodiac paintings and inscriptions at the Temple of Esna.

This sphinx has a face which some archaeologists believe depicts Roman emperor Claudius.

Newfound ancient Egyptian sphinx statue may depict Roman emperor Claudius, but not everyone agrees

By Owen Jarus published

A sphinx found at an ancient Egyptian temple may depict the face of the Roman emperor Claudius, but not everyone agrees with this interpretation.

A digital reconstruction of a Giza pyramid by Australian insurance company Budget Direct.

What did the ancient Egyptian pyramids look like when they were built?

By Patrick Pester published

The ancient Egyptian pyramids have stood for thousands of years and are among the world's most enduring monuments. But what did the pyramids look like when they were first built?

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