Old Kingdom Warfare, 2024 Edition
Before the Fall (c.2600—2200 BCE). Early Egyptians were fierce and active warriors. Our evidence for the Old Kingdom “army,” however, is scattered and fragmentary. Sifting through the pieces, however, we…
Decline & Fall of the Old Kingdom (Part 2), 2024 Edition
Why did it all go so wrong? We’ve explored the historical overview of Old Kingdom decline; but what was driving it? There are three major factors that caused this fall.…
Decline & Fall of the Old Kingdom (Part 1), 2024 Edition
Why did the Old Kingdom disappear? Was it an overnight "collapse," or something more long term? In this episode, and the next, we explore the question in overview. This episode…
The Complete Pyramid Texts
Unas the Skywalker.The Pyramid Texts are Egypt’s oldest surviving corpus of religious literature. Appearing c.2350 BCE, in the monument of King Unas, the texts describe the King’s journey to the…
Mini: Menkaure’s Lost and Found
Restoration, Recovery, Wreckage.Around 2520 BCE, King Men-kau-ra ruled Egypt. In his time, royal artists produced high quality sculpture and art; and builders constructed another magnificent pyramid at Giza. But while…
Mini: 30 Years of Khufu?
The Great Pyramid: New Information.For centuries, popular perceptions of the Great Pyramid’s construction have hinged on Herodotos reference to “twenty years.” While historians have debated that, hard evidence on the…
Mini: The Mystery & Treasures of Hetep-Heres
A crime scene with no crime.In 1925, archaeologists working at Giza uncovered a remarkable monument. The tomb chamber of Queen Hetep-Heres (c.2630-2580 BCE) contained a wealth of beautiful, high-quality items.…
Remaster 06b: The Diary of Merer
An Inspector and the Great Pyramid.In the last years of Khufu’s reign, work on the Great Pyramid was nearing completion. From this period, the Diary of Merer provides unexpected testimony:…
Remaster 05b: Sneferu’s Beauties
Gardens and Girls.Previously unreleased. King Sneferu ("One Who Makes Beautiful Things") was a legendary ruler. His three pyramids at Meidum, Dahshur South, and Dahshur North, mark the transition from step…
Remaster 04b: Buried Pyramids
Lost and Found.Following the death of Netjerykhet Djoser (episode 4), Egyptians had achieved something magnificent. The Step Pyramid at Saqqara loomed over the horizon, in a palatial complex that rivalled…
