The History of Egypt Podcast

In the annals of Egyptian history there is no one quite like Ramesses II. He is arguably the most famous, or infamous, of Egypt’s pharaohs. His reign would be long (67 years!) and his influence would be incalculable. In this episode, Ramesses "appears" as King, following the death of his father (III Shemu 27). He chooses his royal names (Usir-Ma'at-Ra, Ramesses Beloved of Amun). He buries Sety, in the Valley of the Kings. And he goes before the gods to receive blessings and power...Episode chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Ramesses II04:20 - Ramesses Accession Date & Royal Names12:56 - The Funeral of Sety I (Horus buries Osiris)20:50 - Ramesses goes before the gods43:22 - ConclusionFor the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, and Ramesses’ “coronation” scenes, see the following volumes:Nelson (1981). The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Volume 1, Part 1: The Wall Reliefs https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/oip/great-hypostyle-hall-karnak-volume-1-part-1-wall-reliefsBrand et al. (2018). The Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun at Karnak Volume 1, Part 2: Translation and Commentary. https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/oip/oip-142-great-hypostyle-hall-temple-amun-karnakThe History of Egypt Podcast:Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXU.We have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coffin of Sety I (now in the NMEC) was probably reworked from an earlier piece, during the reburials in DB320 (the royal cache). But how can we tell? Dr. Peter Lacovara explains.Dr. Lacovara's website https://peterlacovara.com/Video version available at Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcastVideo version available on YouTube https://youtu.be/6e1fauj4qPA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sety’s royal burial. Valley of the Kings tomb 17 (KV17) came to light in October 1817. Discovered by a team of Egyptian workers, employed by Giovanni Belzoni, the tomb is the most beautiful, and one of the largest, in the entire Valley.==Learn more about KV17:3D Tour by Mused: https://mused.com/tours/926/tomb-of-seti-i-valley-of-the-kings/Theban Mapping Project https://thebanmappingproject.com/tombs/kv-17-sety-iPhotos: Kairoinfo4u via https://www.flickr.com/photos/manna4u/albums/72157687439529835/KV17 at Wikimedia https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:KV17==The History of Egypt Podcast:Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.comSupport the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcastMake a one-time donation via PayPal payments https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXUWe have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Approach with caution. In March 2025, a group calling itself the “Khafre Research Project” posted visual information online about the pyramid of Khafra at Giza. The group claims that Synthetic Aperture Radar (or SAR) scans at Giza have revealed “structures” beneath the pyramids. Using digital modelling (and some AI), they suggest that Khafra’s pyramid and the Giza plateau hide many more chambers. There are a couple facets to this. The 2022 article publishing raw data about SAR scanning at Giza: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/20/5231Overview of claims and evidence: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pyramids-of-giza-new-discovery-structures/I don't usually do "debunking" content or engage with pseudoscience directly. If you'd like to learn more about the truth vs fiction, consider following these creators:Milo Rossi (Miniminuteman): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TgAp_Ry6dcMStefan Milo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=341Lv8JLLV4Flint Dibble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQMfGuKgTwU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News from the Field (2025) Part 2. The past excavationseason has been extraordinarily productive. Beyond the new royal tomb ofThutmose II we also have a SECOND royal tomb, at Abydos! The Grand EgyptianMuseum is finally opening in full. And archaeological teams throughout the landhave uncovered wonderful things. We also remember some prominent scholars whopassed away recently. Chapter times and links to discovery reports with photos:00:22 – New tombs at Asasif https://southasasif.wordpress.com/2024/11/01/discovery-announcement/.02:21 – New tombs at Dra Abu Naga https://www.facebook.com/tourismandantiq/posts/pfbid02eqYh7RAiCqrxxDir9Pvbhu4YV1samnfLLtdJUfgNqvNbF6mVHWYkMGHTWixL7efjl04:31 – Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple discoveries https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/538198.aspx09:08 – Karnak Treasure Hoard https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/541255.aspx10:50 – New tombs at Saqqara https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/537986.aspx12:29 – Bastet Tooth, ancient predator https://www.sci.news/paleontology/bastetodon-syrtos-13673.htmland https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.244247213:52 – Gold Mines in the Eastern Desert https://www.facebook.com/luxortimesmagazine/posts/pfbid024ATNP7GsdFwC35EgngA7Ys51MrwjrzsMPvPMXkty4oMt1SLC46g1tmRBVSEfpyXEl15:28 – The Grand Egyptian Museum OPENING https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/1238/539361/Egypt/Tourism/A-world-gem-Grand-Egyptian-Museum-set-for-grand-op.aspx20:18 – Obituaries 2024 & 2025.31:24 – Breaking News: New Royal Tomb at Abydos https://www.egyptindependent.com/royal-cemetery-from-second-intermediate-period-and-pottery-workshop-discovered-in-sohag/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a reign of approximately eleven years, the Horus Men-Ma’at-Ra (Sety I) passed to the west. He died in reasonably good health, and studies of his mummy reveal a tall, physically robust individual. So, what killed him? We explore these questions, and the history of his Memorial Temple, where the King’s body lay in state ready for burial…Music by Bettina Joy de Guzman www.bettinajoydeguzman.com.Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.Music by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.Additional music “Sety’s Funeral” by Ihab Mahna https://www.instagram.com/imahna/. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SOLD OUT FOR 2025. It's time to visit Egypt again. In November 2025, we are doing a 9-day visit to Luxor for the "Glories of Thebes!" Starting in Cairo (with the GEM) we head south to visit the Valley of the Kings, Memorial Temples, Deir el-Medina, Abydos, Karnak, and so much more.Note: Future tour groups will be smaller than previous years (because I don't have to travel so far, from NZ, anymore). Places are limited, so get in touch!If you're interested and want to add extra days in Cairo for pyramids, Saqqara, etc, let AWT know in your contact email. Things can always be arranged!Logo image: Scene from the tomb of Thutmose III, which we visit on a special permit.The November tour is now sold out. Please stay tuned for future trips! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News from the Field 2025, Part 1. In February 2025, the breaking news was the discovery of a royal tomb. An archaeological mission working in Luxor are confident they have located the grave of King Thutmose II. The tomb itself was discovered in late 2022, and the team announced it publicly in 2023. I reported on that initial find in the news roundup for that year. Now, another season has passed, and the team’s work has come to fruition...I am also joined by Dr. Chris Naunton, former Director of the Egypt Exploration Society, who was discussed the new find on his blog, and joins us to share some wider context and speculation.Music interludes by Keith Zizza and Luke Chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paser, servant of Sety I and Ramesses II (c.1300--1270 BCE). In the later years of his reign, King Sety promoted one of his servants to the highest political/government office. Paser, the Vizier, enters our story...Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest today is Prof. Elizabeth Frood, Associate Professor of Egyptology and Director of the Griffith Institute at the University of Oxford, UK. In a lively discussion, Dr. Frood shares her insights into ancient lives and how people living in the non-royal sphere approached their immortality. Statues, texts and graffiti show us the minds of these people and how they depicted their concerns, beliefs and ideas. It's a great conversation and I think you'll really enjoy it!Prof. Frood's book: Biographical Texts from Ramessid Egypt, 2007.Academic pages: https://www.orinst.ox.ac.uk/people/elizabeth-frood https://oxford.academia.edu/ElizabethFrood Prof. Frood's story: http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/arts-blog/returning-egypt-acquired-disability-and-fieldwork# https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2281439122175384 https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-oxfordshire-42739901/the-infection-which-took-my-nose-and-legs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices