News — Egyptology

Ushabtis, also known as shabtis or shawabtis, are ancient Egyptian funerary figurines that were placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife. These figurines were part of the funerary practices and beliefs in ancient Egypt, which included preparing the deceased for the journey to the afterlife. The primary purpose of ushabtis was to perform labor on behalf of the deceased in the afterlife, specifically in the Field of Reeds, an idealized version of Egypt where the deceased would live eternally. It was believed that in the afterlife the deceased would continue their duties as they did in life...

The Valley of the Kings is a famous archaeological site located on the western bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. It is renowned for being the burial place of many ancient Egyptian pharaohs, including some of the most well-known rulers from the New Kingdom period (approximately 1550–1070 BCE).  The valley's location was carefully chosen by the ancient Egyptians due to its secluded nature, which provided a level of protection for the tombs against tomb robbers and natural elements. The valley contains around 63 known tombs, though the exact number might vary as new discoveries are made over time....

Egyptian Bes is a deity from ancient Egyptian mythology. He is often depicted as a dwarf with a lion-like mane, sticking out his tongue, and displaying other grotesque features. Bes was considered a protector deity, associated with households, childbirth, and fertility.  Bes was known for his role in warding off evil spirits and protecting people from harm. He was believed to be particularly effective against malevolent forces that might harm children or mothers during childbirth. Many amulets and talismans featuring Bes were used by ancient Egyptians as protective charms. Bes was also associated with music, dance, and joy. He was...

In Egyptian mythology, it was believed that after death, a person's soul would undergo a series of trials and judgments before reaching the afterlife. Here's an overview of the judgment scene known as the "Weighing of the Heart" or the "Judgment of Osiris." According to Egyptian mythology, after death, the deceased would enter the underworld, also known as the Duat. In the Duat, the soul would face the "Weighing of the Heart" judgment before the god Osiris, who was the ruler of the afterlife. The judgment scene involved the deceased's heart being weighed against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess...

On a recent trip to Egypt, I had a long lay-over in northern Italy and visited the Egyptian Museum in Torino (Museo Egizio). It was a delightfully surprising collection. I have heard about the museum for many years, but little did I know that it is considered the second largest collection (more than 30,000 items) of Egyptian antiquities, and also it is considered the oldest Egyptian museum, more than 250 years old! Although it was midway through a Tuesday afternoon, the museum was filled with visitors; turns out it is one of the most visited in all of Italy.   The tour of...