225: Nefertari Beloved-of-Mut
Around 1300 BCE, King Sety I selected a group of "beauties" for his son, to marry and produce children. One of these was Nefertari (Nefret-Iry, "She Has Become Beautiful"). A…
Abu Simbel: Temple of Nefertari and Ramesses’ Nubian Empire
Sections from a Livestream in November 2025, about the Small Temple of Nefertari (dedicated to Nefertari and Hat-Hor of Ibshek) and the larger political-religious context of these monuments. Part 1:…
Posted inGeneral Topics Mini Episodes
Dinosaurs of Egypt (2026 Revised Version)
In the Cretaceous Period (c.100 million years ago) Egypt and North Africa were radically different environments. With vast tidal flats and mangroves, and a shallow sea, the continent fostered numerous…
Posted inNews & Updates
News from the Field (Winter 2025-2026, Part 1)
The winter 2025/26 excavation season is underway, and lots of news is coming forth already. Let's explore the major finds! https://open.spotify.com/episode/0MQnoGst2vYBuDby0G6nCV?si=5cc5a9d72e70478e Chapters: The GEM is open 00:30. Scans at Menkaura's…
224: Ozymandias (or, Shadow of the Colossus)
Divine intermediaries. Ramesses II commissioned many statues, some of which are among the largest ever quarried. From the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum, to the bedrock of Aswan, we…
223: Ramesses and Hattusili Best Friends Forever
Egyptian-Hittite Diplomacy. In the aftermath of the Treaty, Ramesses II and Hattusili III got down to business establishing their brotherhood. From prospective summits in Canaan, to fabulous gift-exchanges by Nefertari…
War & Peace with Prof. Peter Brand
The ultimate pharaoh makes the ultimate agreement. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand offers us his insights on the cultures of Egypt and Hatti around the time of the Year…
222: Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?
The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty. In regnal year 21 (c.1272 BCE), Ramesses II announced a treaty with Hattusili III. The two kings united in "peace and brotherhood, forever," and agreed to a…
221: Raiders of Syria
The later wars of Ramesses II (Years 8 to 15). Following Kadesh, Ramesses led or despatched further campaigns into Canaan and Syria. These battles are documented on his temple walls,…
220: Dead Sea to Galilee
Moves and counter-moves. In the aftermath of Kadesh, Muwattalli (King of Hatti) apparently consoldiated his hold over Syria. Border territories like Amurru fell to Hittite influence. At home, Ramesses spent…
