Egyptologist Answers Ancient Egypt Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED
TLDRIn 'Egyptology Support,' Professor Laurel Bestock explores various facets of ancient Egyptian civilization, addressing the timeline of its beginning, the Sphinx's damaged nose, Egyptian language and hieroglyphs, medical advancements, social life, and the art of mummification. She dispels myths about pyramid construction, discusses the significance of Cleopatra, and highlights the contributions of figures like Imhotep and Hatshepsut. The video also delves into the deciphering of hieroglyphs, the Book of the Dead, and the status of women, offering a rich tapestry of Egypt's cultural and historical legacy.
Takeaways
- ๐บ The beginning of Ancient Egypt is marked by the reign of its first king around 3000 BC, making it over 5,000 years old.
- ๐ญ The Great Pyramid of Giza was built around 2400 BC, and there's more time between Cleopatra and the pyramids than between Cleopatra and the present day.
- ๐ก The Sphinx's nose was deliberately destroyed by an individual in the 15th century, not by Napoleon's army as sometimes claimed.
- ๐ญ Ancient Egyptians spoke a language that evolved into Coptic, which is still used in the Coptic Church, and its sound can be phonetically reconstructed.
- ๐คฐ Ancient Egyptian medicine was advanced, with practices like brain surgery and a unique pregnancy test using barley and wheat seeds.
- ๐ป While there were no bars in Ancient Egypt, social drinking of beer and wine was common, often taking place in homes and tombs during festivals.
- ๐ฎ The video game 'Assassin's Creed: Origins' accurately portrays the landscape and monuments of Ancient Egypt, including the Bent Pyramid.
- ๐ช King Tutankhamun's popularity stems from the intact discovery of his tomb, filled with treasures, despite not being well-known in his own time.
- ๐ Modern technology could recreate the Egyptian pyramids, but the choice not to do so is a social decision rather than a technological limitation.
- ๐ Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh who ruled as a king, is considered a favorite due to her significant reign and depiction in art as a male monarch.
- ๐ Pyramids in Egypt and Mexico share a similar form due to the constraints of ancient construction techniques, rather than any direct connection.
Q & A
When did Ancient Egypt begin according to Professor Laurel Bestock?
-According to Professor Laurel Bestock, Ancient Egypt began around 3000 BC with the first king of Egypt.
How does the time of Cleopatra relate to the beginning of Ancient Egyptian Pharaonic history and the present day?
-Cleopatra lived closer to the present day than to the beginning of Ancient Egyptian Pharaonic history. There is even more time between Cleopatra and the pyramids at Giza than between Cleopatra and us.
What is the story behind the Sphinx's missing nose?
-The best evidence suggests that the Sphinx's nose was deliberately shot off by someone who was upset about people revering the monument. This person was later lynched by locals who revered the Sphinx.
How did ancient Egyptians sound like, and how can we know?
-We know a great deal about what Egyptian sounded like through the last stage of the ancient Egyptian language, Coptic, which was written in Greek letters and is still used in the Coptic Church.
What medical practices did the ancient Egyptians have that are still relevant today?
-Ancient Egyptian medicine was advanced; they performed surgeries, including to relieve pressure on the brain, and had pregnancy tests using barley and wheat seeds which respond to human growth hormone.
Did ancient Egypt have social gathering places similar to modern bars?
-Ancient Egypt did not have bars, but they were social and alcohol was part of their social lives, often consumed in homes and tombs during festivals.
How accurate is the representation of ancient Egypt in the video game Assassin's Creed: Origins?
-The game is quite accurate in its representation of the landscape and monuments, such as the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur.
Why is King Tut so popular?
-King Tut is popular because his tomb was found intact, filled with treasures and artifacts that provide a unique insight into ancient Egyptian culture.
Can modern technology recreate the Egyptian pyramids?
-Yes, we have the technology to recreate the pyramids. The challenge lies in the social choice and the resources required, not in the technological capability.
Who was the best Pharaoh according to Professor Laurel Bestock?
-While many might say Khufu, Professor Laurel Bestock's personal favorite is Hatshepsut, a woman who reigned as a king.
Why do the pyramids in Egypt and Mexico look similar?
-The similarity in appearance is due to the constraints of ancient construction techniques, not because of a direct connection between the two cultures.
Why did ancient Egypt fall?
-Ancient Egypt fell when it was incorporated into the Roman Empire after Cleopatra lost her throne.
Was Cleopatra Greek or Egyptian?
-Cleopatra was of Greek descent, part of a Greek family that had been ruling Egypt for about 300 years after Alexander the Great's conquest in 332 BC.
What transformative inventions did the ancient Egyptians contribute to the modern world?
-The ancient Egyptians invented the mobile writing platform of papyrus and their mud brick architecture, which influenced the English word 'adobe'.
Has the ancient Egyptian language been deciphered?
-Yes, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs have been deciphered, allowing scholars to read virtually any inscription found.
Why did ancient Egyptians paint people in profile but with some features front on?
-They chose to show the most perfect aspect of each part of the body, combining different perspectives to capture the essence of a person in a more eternal way.
Why did the ancient Egyptians mummify their dead?
-They mummified their dead because they believed that in the afterlife, people needed their bodies to continue eating, drinking, speaking, breathing, and engaging in social relations.
How did the ancient Egyptians remove the brain during embalming?
-They used metal hooks to scramble the brain into a liquid state and then extracted it through the nose, as they considered the heart, not the brain, to be the seat of intelligence.
Did the ancient Egyptians have a concept of cookies or similar sweet baked goods?
-Ancient Egyptians did not have cookies as they did not have sugar. Their staple food was bread, which was also used as a form of currency.
Who deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs and how?
-French scholar Champollion deciphered hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone, which had inscriptions in Egyptian hieroglyphs, demotic script, and Greek.
What is the significance of the Egyptian Book of the Dead?
-The Book of the Dead contains spells and instructions to help the deceased successfully navigate the afterlife, acting as a 'cheat sheet' for a successful afterlife.
What were the practical uses of scarabs in ancient Egypt?
-Most Egyptian scarabs were used as ring bezels with an inscribed flat bottom that served as a seal, symbolizing the daily rebirth of the sun.
What was the status of women in ancient Egypt like?
-Women in ancient Egypt had a rare status in the ancient world; they could own property, decide inheritance, and had certain rights during menstruation, such as husbands doing housework.
What was the ancient Egyptian view on sex?
-The ancient Egyptians had a positive view on sex, considering it a normal and enjoyable part of life without stigmatization. They even had a euphemism for it, 'to spend a pleasant day'.
Do all ancient Egyptian deities have animal heads?
-Not all, but many ancient Egyptian deities have animal heads, often representing aspects of their roles or associations with certain animals.
How have recent discoveries of new queens and mummies been made?
-Technological advancements like aerial photography and X-ray fluorescence have allowed for the discovery of new archaeological sites and artifacts, including queens and mummies.
Outlines
๐ Ancient Egypt's Origins and Mysteries
Professor Laurel Bestock introduces 'Egyptology Support', addressing the beginning of Ancient Egypt around 3000 BC, marking 5,000 years of history. The Sphinx's nose damage is attributed to a 15th-century act of vandalism, debunking Napoleon's army myth. The Sphinx represents King Khafre, and the script delves into the sounds of the ancient Egyptian language, its relation to Coptic, and the influence on modern media. The segment also covers Imhotep's role as the architect of the first pyramid and touches on Egyptian medicine's advancements, including brain surgery and a unique pregnancy test involving barley and wheat seeds.
๐ป Social Life and Misconceptions in Ancient Egypt
The script clarifies that Ancient Egypt had no bars but a rich social life involving beer and wine, often enjoyed in homes and tombs during festivals like the Beautiful Feast of the Valley. It also addresses the accuracy of Ancient Egypt's portrayal in Assassin's Creed: Origins, highlighting the Bent Pyramid and its construction challenges. King Tut's popularity is explained by the intact discovery of his tomb, contrasting his ancient Egyptian obscurity due to his association with the heretic king Akhenaten and the return to polytheism.
๐บ Pyramid Construction and Egyptian Cultural Impact
Dispelling the myth that modern technology cannot recreate pyramids, the script explains the tools and techniques used by the Egyptians, such as stone balls, copper chisels, and plumb bobs for alignment. It emphasizes the social choice not to build pyramids today. The discussion continues with the best pharaoh debate, favoring Hatshepsut for her reign as a female king. The script also tackles misconceptions about pyramid similarities between Egypt and Mexico, attributing them to ancient construction limitations rather than cultural connections.
๐ Cleopatra's Heritage and Ancient Egypt's Legacy
The script confirms Cleopatra's Greek heritage, detailing her role in maintaining her kingdom through alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. It also discusses Egypt's contributions to the modern world, such as the papyrus and the architectural influence evident in the word 'adobe.' The decipherment of hieroglyphs by Champollion using the Rosetta Stone is highlighted, as is the cultural insight gained from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which includes rituals like the heart weighing ceremony.
๐จ Art, Mummification, and Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
The script explores the unique artistic style of Ancient Egypt, which favored a composite view of the human body to capture the essence eternally. It explains the process and purpose of mummification, the use of linen and salts, and the significance of removing and separately mummifying internal organs. The discussion also covers the extraction of the brain during embalming and the dietary staples of Ancient Egyptians, including bread and vegetables, and the cultural significance of lettuce as an aphrodisiac.
๐ Technological Advances in Archaeology and Social Norms
The script discusses technological advances in archaeology, such as aerial photography and X-ray fluorescence, which reveal hidden patterns and chemical signatures in pigments. It also touches on the social status of women in Ancient Egypt, their property rights, and the cultural acceptance of sex without stigma. The script concludes with insights into Egyptian deities, the significance of animal-headed gods, and the ongoing discoveries in the field of Egyptology.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กAncient Egypt
๐กPharaonic
๐กCleopatra
๐กSphinx
๐กHieroglyphics
๐กImhotep
๐กMummy
๐กKhufu
๐กPapyrus
๐กChampollion
๐กBook of the Dead
Highlights
Ancient Egypt's timeline starts from 3000 BC with the first king, marking over 5000 years of history.
Cleopatra lived closer to us than to the beginning of Pharaonic history, and there's more time between her and the pyramids than between her and the present.
The Sphinx's nose was deliberately destroyed by an individual in the 15th century, not by Napoleon's army as rumored.
The Sphinx represents King Khafre, who built the second largest pyramid at Giza.
Coptic, the last stage of the ancient Egyptian language, helps in reconstructing how ancient Egyptians spoke and is still used in the Coptic Church.
Ancient Egyptian medicine was advanced, with practices like brain surgery and unique pregnancy tests using barley and wheat seeds.
Ancient Egyptians had a social life involving alcohol consumption, often in homes and tombs, with special festivals like the Beautiful Feast of the Valley.
Assassin's Creed: Origins accurately represents ancient Egyptian landscapes and monuments, including the Bent Pyramid.
King Tut's popularity stems from the intact discovery of his tomb, filled with treasures and nested shrines.
Modern technology can recreate the Egyptian pyramids; the choice not to do so is a social decision, not a technological limitation.
Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh, is highlighted for her unique reign as a king rather than a queen in a male-dominated role.
The pyramids in Egypt and Mexico differ significantly in structure and purpose, with the former being tombs and the latter temple bases.
Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, was of Greek descent and played a crucial role in maintaining her kingdom through alliances.
Ancient Egypt contributed significantly to modern society with inventions like papyrus and the concept of a writing platform.
Hieroglyphs were deciphered by Champollion using the Rosetta Stone, enabling scholars to read ancient Egyptian inscriptions.
The Egyptian Book of the Dead provides spells for a successful afterlife, including the famous 'weighing of the heart' ceremony.
Scarabs were used as seals and symbolized rebirth, linking the owner to the daily rebirth of the sun.
Women in ancient Egypt had a high status, with property rights and the unique cultural practice of husbands doing housework during their wives' periods.
Ancient Egyptians had a positive and open view of sex, without the stigma associated with the concept of virginity.
Not all Egyptian deities had animal heads, but many were depicted with them, symbolizing various aspects of life and the afterlife.
Technological advancements in archaeology, such as aerial photography and X-ray fluorescence, reveal new insights into ancient Egyptian culture and trade.
Transcripts
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