Nile Magazine

Inside this issue... 

Women of Power and Influence: Part 2
The second article in a three-part series on the remarkable royal women of ancient Egypt who, out of duty or ambition, stepped beyond the ancient world’s traditional roles and shaped Egypt’s history.

A New Temple at Abydos
This issue’s ARCE Update highlights the discovery of a temple palace of Ramesses II, which forever changes the archaeological landscape of Abydos.

River Spirit
The incredible photography of Chester Higgins highlights some of the shared cultural legacies between the ancient people who made up the empires of Aksum (modern Ethiopia), Kush (Sudan) and Kemet (Egypt).

New Light on the Bent Pyramid
A new photogrammetric survey of Sneferu’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur was carried out in 2018. The data collected provided significant and valuable new information about the construction of the monument.

A Royal Affair
The Ptolemies were as ruthless as they were incestuous. In this particular dynasty, the end always justified the means. Diana T. Nikolova looks at Ptolemies VI and VIII (and Cleopatras II and III), and their cosy-yet-murderous relationships.

The Enigmatic Mummy from KV 55: Part 1
When tomb KV 55 was discovered in 1907, a crumbling mummy was found inside that has perplexed Egyptologists ever since. Who was it? The answer promises to identify the father of Tutankhamun.

Tutankhamun's Treasures
After wowing sellout crowds in Los Angeles, Tutankhamun’s world tour continues. This time, the blockbuster exhibition hits Paris. We take a close look at more of the stunning pieces from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Women of Power and Influence
The first article in a three-part series on the remarkable royal women of ancient Egypt who, out of duty or ambition, stepped beyond the ancient world’s traditional roles and shaped Egypt’s history.

Queens of Egypt
A new National Geographic exhibition in Washington, D.C., showcases Egypt’s powerful women: from the founding queen of the New Kingdom, Ahmose-Nefertari, to Egypt’s last queen and reigning pharaoh, Cleopatra.

A New Tomb & A New Queen
Excavations at South Saqqara have unearthed a fabulously-decorated 5th Dynasty tomb.  The Egyptian-Czech mission has also discovered the owner of a large pyramid there; it belongs to a previously unknown queen!

Bubastis
The history and development of the city of Bubastis, the main cult centre of the cat goddess Bastet.

Hatnub and the Great Pyramid
How research by Roland Enmarch led to a discovery that could offer clues to how the Great Pyramid was constructed.

Marsh Birds of the Gods
The last article in a four-part series on bird symbolism in ancient Egypt. Lesley Jackson takes a look at the waterbirds that inhabited Egypt’s marshes.

Plus, the Nile Crossword and lots more! Enjoy!

2018's Top Discoveries
Ancient Egypt made plenty of headlines last year: from the Big Black Sarcophagus, to the revelation that there was no hidden chamber in Tutankhamun's tomb after all. But what were the most significant discoveries of the year?

Discovering Abu Simbel
A brilliantly-illustrated, guided tour.

Is Ramesses III overrated?
Ramesses III is sometimes described as Egypt’s last great pharaoh. So why did his reign end in murder and an attempted coup?

The Bent Pyramid
It’s one of Egypt’s oldest pyramids, and still one of the least understood. Why the bend? Why the two entrances? Some of the answers are in this issue.

Animals in Magic and Medicine
The ancient Egyptians were famous for their medical knowledge. Did they learn it initially from observing animals  (and sacrificing them)?

Ptolemy I
The Ptolemaic Dynasty is famed for its last ruler, Queen Cleopatra VII. But what do we know about the man who created it?

Plus, the Nile Crossword and lots more! Enjoy!

Finding Nefertiti
What if we told you that Nefertiti WAS buried in Tutankhamun's tomb after all? But what happened to her burial—and where is her mummy now? Discover also the identity of the elusive Smenkhkare, and why the mummy that some think is Nefertiti, isn't

The Antiquities Museum in the Library of Alexandria
It's fitting that while building the new Library of Alexandria, a number of fabulous antiquities were unearthed that became part of the collection! The director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Antiquities Museum shows us some of his favourite pieces.

The Benu & the Phoenix
Love hieroglyphs? There are LOTS in this article. Meet Benu—the Egyptian bird of resurrection—through the hieroglyphic texts of the ancient Egyptians themselves. And find out if the Benu was the inspiration for the legendary phoenix.

Gods of Egypt
Images to make you go wow! "Gods of Egypt" is a new exhibition now showing at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden. Explore some of the most spectacular ancient artworks from across Europe.

Tanis
In this first chapter of a five-part series on royal residences in the eastern Nile Delta, Egyptologist Dr. Nicky Nielsen explores Tanis; its fascinating history, its abandonment and rediscovery.

Inside: 

Tomb Robbery and Coffin Reuse
Was a coffin really meant for eternity? Was all tomb robbery a lawless abhorrence? We look at Kara Cooney’s study into “legal” coffin reuse. (Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of it!) 

Kleopatra Selene
The melodrama of Cleopatra VII’s political and not-so-private life has been well explored. What is less well known is that Cleopatra and Mark Antony had three children, including a daughter, Kleopatra Selene. 

The Unlucky Mummy
So, you think you know the story of the Unlucky Mummy? Think again. We explore the myths and the surprising truth about THAT mummy board. 

Spirit Birds
Not only could Egypt’s birds represent a specific deity, but also a number of concepts that were crucial to the Egyptians enjoying a successful afterlife. 

The Royal Tombs
In this final abridged instalment of Aidan Dodson’s The Royal Tombs of Ancient Egypt, the New Kingdom pharaohs embrace Senwosret III’s innovation, separate their tombs and temples, and head underground. 

What's New?
Alexandria’s “Big Black Sarcophagus” surprises with some impressed gold sheets, and the world’s oldest cheese yet discovered turns out to be the real evil.

Plus, The Nile Crossword (NEW!), Looking Back and lots more. Check out your free sample at www.nilemagazine.co.uk.

Enjoy your Nile time!