The last stage

One of the challenges in establishing a chronology or a list of ancient Egyptian kings lies in the sources that have been passed down to us. These sources are essential for understanding the historical reality. However, they can also present complications due to their age, potential biases, or incomplete nature. For this reason, we find that Egyptologists and specialists have differing opinions on the years of reign for each king, as well as the existence or non-existence of certain kings and the chronological order of their reigns. Why does this discrepancy occur? It is because the sources available to us are stelae and documents of various origins with differing lists. It must be understood that the history of ancient Egypt spans a very long period, during which the transmission of knowledge and the desire of some kings to modify or erase records influenced the creation of these lists. A king who ascended to power under dubious circumstances or whose name was intended to be forgotten...

The Djed pillar, often seen as a symbol of stability, is subject to various interpretations. One prevalent theory suggests that it represents the spine of Osiris, which, according to myth, was magically restored by Thoth and Isis after Osiris's altercation with Seth, thereby granting him renewed use of his legs. Aaron G. Filler posits that this myth could be indicative of the first neurosurgical procedure in history. This interpretation is further supported by the frequent depiction of the pillar on the rear of sarcophagi. Another hypothesis associates the Djed pillar with the column inside which Osiris's sarcophagus was secured in Byblos. While some researchers propose a connection to a tree, the true origin and representation of the Djed remain uncertain. Initially, it may have been an agrarian symbol linked to the deities Sokar and Ptah, which Osiris later adopted. Additionally, there are more speculative theories, such as those suggesting ancient Egyptian contact with extra...

Contrast of the red (left) and white (right) crowns in an image of a lintel from the Medamud temple currently in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Image credits: Hirmer Fotoarchiv, Munich Crowns are among the most significant and recognizable symbols of the Kemet rulers. The tradition of using crowns to signify authority extends deep into prehistory. To visibly distinguish authority, the head was chosen as it is the most visible part of the body even from afar. From the moment the first leader donned a crown to assert power over a group, crowns have been emblematic of monarchy, as well as military and religious leadership. In Ancient Egypt, crowns symbolized the king's power, who, alongside the gods, was entitled to wear it. Various crowns have been utilized throughout the nation's history. This brief overview will cover the most renowned and emblematic crowns, alongside an analysis and examination of numerous other crowns referenced in The Pyramid Texts that merit attentio...

The phrase "the key to life" may sound appealing and profound, and while it garners attention, it's often used colloquially and can be misleading, especially when used to attract tourists or propagate misconceptions. It's important to note that in Kemet (Ancient Egypt), literacy was limited to select groups such as priests and scribes. There were various scripts employed, with hieroglyphics being the most recognized by the public. In this script, words and letters are depicted through symbols or ideograms, similar to other languages like Chinese. For instance, the hieroglyph for 'life' is denoted by a specific symbol: ☥  The term "ankh" is often read as "anj" in Spanish. This discrepancy arises from the varied transliterations used across different languages, such as "anch" in German. The pronunciation "anj" does not imply that "ankh" is an incorrect transcription, nor that it should be pronounced as "ank....