Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of eastern North Africa, concentrated

along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of E
gypt. The civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification o
f Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh, and it developed over the next
two millennia. Ancient Egypt reached its pinnacle during the New Kingdom, after
which it entered a period of slow decline. Egypt was conquered by a succession o
f foreign powers in this late period, and the rule of the pharaohs officially en
ded in 31 BC when the early Roman Empire conquered Egypt and made it a province.
Egypt has left a lasting legacy for all to see. Its art and architecture has bee
n widely copied, and its antiquities have been carried off to the far corners of
the world. Egypt's monumental ruins have inspired the imaginations of travelers
and writers for centuries. A newfound respect for antiquities and excavations i
n the early modern period led to the scientific investigation of Egyptian civili
zation and a greater appreciation of its cultural legacy for the earth.
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The Nefertiti Bust is a 3300-year-old painted limestone bust of Nefertiti, the G
reat Royal Wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten and is one of the most copied
works of ancient Egypt. Due to the bust, Nefertiti has become one of the most fa
mous women from the ancient world as well as an icon of female beauty. It is bel
ieved to have been crafted in 1345 BC by the sculptor Thutmose.
A German archeological team led by Ludwig Borchardt discovered the Nefertiti bus
t in 1912 in Thutmose's workshop in Amarna, Egypt. It has been kept at several l
ocations in Germany since its discovery, including a salt mine in Merkers-Kiesel
bach, the Dahlem museum (then in West Berlin), the Egyptian Museum in Charlotten
burg and the Altes Museum. It is currently on display at the Neues Museum, Berli
n, where it was displayed before World War II.
The Nefertiti bust has become a cultural symbol
ancient Egypt. It has also been the subject of
t and Germany over the Egyptian demands for its
o controversies over the Body of Nerfertiti art
ns regarding its authenticity.

of Berlin, Germany as well as of

an intense argument between Egyp
repatriation. It was dragged int
exhibition and also by allegatio

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Did you know...
Sekhmet
... that more than seven hundred statues of Sekhmet (pictured) once stood in the
funerary temple of Amenhotep III?
... that pharaoh Psamtik I freed Egypt from the Assyrian Empire?
... that the egyptologist Jean-Philippe Lauer was considered to be the foremost
expert on pyramid construction techniques and methods at the time of his death?
More did you knows...

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Selected picture
Egyptian camel transport3.jpg
Credit: American Colony Jerusalem
Although the camel was known in ancient Egypt from the time of the New Kingdom,
it was not used as a beast of burden until the Late Period.
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Selected biography
Outline tracing of the figure representing Darius in the Behistun Inscription
Darius I, known as Darius the Great, was the third "king of kings" (emperor) of
the Achaemenid Empire. Darius held the empire at its peak, then including Egypt,
northern India, and parts of Greece. The decay and downfall of the empire comme
nced with his death and the coronation of his son, Xerxes I.
Darius ascended the throne by assassinating the alleged usurper Bardiya with the
assistance of six other Persian noble families; Darius was crowned the followin
g morning. The new emperor met with rebellions throughout his kingdom, and quell
ed them each time. A major event in Darius's life was his expedition to punish A
thens and Eretria for their aid in the Ionian Revolt and subjugate Greece. Dariu
s expanded his empire by conquering Thrace and Macedon, and invading the Saka, I
ranian tribes who had invaded Medes and had previously killed Cyrus the Great.
Darius organized the empire, by dividing it into provinces and placing governors
to govern it. He organized a new uniform monetary system, along with making Ara
maic the official language of the empire. Darius also worked on construction pro
jects throughout the empire, focusing on Susa, Pasargadae, Persepolis, Babylon,
and Egypt. Darius created a codification of laws for Egypt. He also carved the c
liff-face Behistun Inscription, an autobiography of great modern linguistic sign
ificance. After becoming aware of the Persian defeat at the Battle of Marathon,
Darius began planning another expedition against the Greek-city states. Darius h
ad spent three years preparing men and ships for war when a revolt broke out in
Egypt. This revolt in Egypt worsened his failing health and prevented the possib
ility of leading another army himself; soon, Darius was dead. In October 486 BC,
the body of Darius was embalmed and entombed in the rock-cut sepulcher which ha
d been prepared for him several years earlier.
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Ancient News
January 2011: Archaeologists discovered a tomb - KV64 - in the Valley of the Kin
gs. The coffin found in the tomb contained an intact mummy of Nehmes Bastet, a t
emple singer during Egypt's 22nd Dynasty.(1)
November 2010: The Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt says archaeologists h
ave unearthed 12 more sphinx statues along the ancient avenue connecting Luxor a
nd Karnak temples.(2)
April 2010: A new 19th Dynasty tomb in Tell el-Maskhuta is discovered. The tomb
belongs to a noble named Ken-Amun
March 2010: A new translation of the Philae Victory Stele reveals the name of Au
gustus in cartouches.

March 2010: More statues of Amenhotep III are found at Kom el-Hettan.
March 2010: The ruins of the pyramid o