The History of Egypt Podcast

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

The Place of Beauties (Ta-Set-Neferu). In the reigns of Ramesses I and Sety I (c.1304—1292 BCE), the Valley of the Queens finally earned its moniker. Having been a burial ground for royal children and courtiers, the wadi south of Deir el-Medina now began to host ruling women. In the days of Sety I, the Queen Mother Sitra and the Queen Tuya both received new tomb constructions in this site. Their monuments include evocative passages from the Book of the Dead (Chapter 17), and hints of the wonders to come in future generations…Tombs discussed in this episode: Princess Iah-Mes / Ahmose: Museo Egizio, Turin and Theban Mapping Project. Queen Sitra: Theban Mapping Project. Queen Tuya: Theban Mapping Project. Queen Nefertari: Theban Mapping Project and digital reconstruction at Nefertari Tomb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Tamara Siuda, author of "The Complete Encyclopedia of Egyptian Deities", dives into the rich tapestry of ancient Egyptian religion. She discusses the fascinating evolution of deities like Osiris and Antinous, revealing how they adapted through political changes. The conversation explores lesser-known figures such as Medjed and reflects on the persistence of these beliefs in modern times, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Siuda shares insights on her crowdfunding journey to publish her comprehensive work, highlighting the importance of understanding these ancient gods without modern biases.

The Book of the Sky Cow. In the waning years of the 18th Dynasty (the reign of Tut’ankhamun) royal artisans began decorating tombs and funerary equipment with a new text. Sometimes known as “The Destruction of Mankind,” the book tells of a distant age, when Ra ruled on earth. But as the sun-god aged, a group of humans perceived his weakness, and plotted rebellion. Faced with an uprising, Ra marshalled his supporters and sent forth an enforcer. The goddess Hat-Hor (and her alter ego Sakhmet) began to wreak havoc upon the lowly, wayward humans…The Book of the Sky Cow: Part I and Part II, and the Shrines of Tutankhamun, available in Piankoff, The Shrines of Tut-Ankh-Amon. Available at Internet Archive Open Access. Part I and Part II available in Simpson, The Literature of Ancient Egypt, pages 289—298. Available at Internet Archive Open Access. Part I (the Rebellion) available in Lichtheim Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume II: The New Kingdom. Available at Academia.edu. The 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.Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices