84: The Bald Falcon

Magical mystery cruise. King Sneferu was a legendary ruler. His three pyramids at Meidum and Dahshur mark the transition from Step Pyramids to True Pyramids. But his legacy is more than stone. The King left other records and hints of his personality. We go in search of the ruler who loved beauty... Episode details: Recorded 2022. Date: c. 2650 BCE.  Texts: The Westcar Papyrus (translation by Mark-Jan Nederhof). Pyramids: The Meidum Pyramid, Bent Pyramid, and Red Pyramid (see all at wikimedia). Logo image: Sneferu's pyramid at Meidum via Wikimedia. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Audio editing and processing by yourpodcastpal.com. Select Bibliography: N. Alexanian and F. Arnold, ‘The Complex of the Bent Pyramid as a Landscape Design Project’, in M. Ullmann (ed.), 10. Ägyptologische Tempeltagung (2016), 1—16. Online. N. Alexanian et al., ‘Untersuchungen am unteren Aufweg der Knickpyramide in Dahschur’, Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo 68 (2012), 1—30. F. Arnold, ‘A Ceremonial Building of King Snofru at Dahshur’, in M. Bietak and S. Prell (eds.), Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Palaces (2018), 113—124. Online. G. Dormion and J.-Y. Verd’hurt, La chambre de Meidoum : analyse architecturale. 1, Texte (2013). F. Monnier, ‘New Light on the Architecture of the Bent Pyramid’, Nile Magazine 20 (2019), 44—50. Online. F. Monnier, ‘A New Survey of the Upper Chambers of Snefru’s Pyramids at Dahshur’, Journal of Ancient Egyptian Architecture 4 (2020), 1—17. Online. M-J. Nederhof, “The Westcar Papyrus,” translation online. L. Parys, Le récit du Papyrus Westcar : texte, traduction, interprétation (2017). C. Reader, ‘The Meidum Pyramid’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt (2015), 203—224. Online. D. Rosenow, ‘Dahschur, Ägypten. Die Arbeiten der Herbstkampagne 2019 und Frühjahrskampagne 2020’, Elektronische Publikationen Desdeutschen Archäologischen Instituts 2 (2020), 8—15. Online. M. Verner, The Pyramids: The Archaeology and History of Egypt’s Iconic Monuments (2020). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 Tammi 201334min

The wondrous monuments of King Sneferu. Around 2650 BCE, Egypt's Fouth Dynasty began. King Sneferu kick-started a golden age of pyramid building. Over thirty-plus years, the King's architects and labourers designed three magnificent monuments, eventually culminating in the first "true" pyramid. Date c.2620 - 2580 BCE www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the Show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. Select Bibliography: Nicolas Grimal, A History of Ancient Egypt, 1994 (Amazon). Erik Hornung, Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: the One and the Many, 1996 (Amazon). Mark Lehner, The Complete Pyramids, 2008 (Amazon). John Romer, A History of Egypt: from the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid, 2013 (Amazon). Toby Wilkinson, Early Dynastic Egypt, 2001 (Amazon). David Wengrow, The Archaeology of Early Egypt, 2006 (Amazon). Robert Wenke, The Ancient Egyptian State, 2009 (Amazon). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 Tammi 20131h 3min

Ambitious failures. Following the reign of Netjerykhet Djoser, the next generation would attempt to surpass his monuments. King Sekhem-khet tried, but failed, to achieve this. In this episode, we fill a lesser-known gap in the history of ancient Egypt's pyramids. At the same time, we tell the tale of a renowned archaeologist, Mohamed Zakariah Goneim, whose work and influence deserve greater recognition... Episode details: Episode written 2019/2020. Released to Patreon subscribers 2021. Released to public 2022. Date: c. 2670 — 2630 BCE Kings: Netjerykhet (Djoser); Sekhem-khet; Kha-ba. Logo: The entrance to Sekhemkhet's pyramid at Saqqara. See more at wikimedia. Music: Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net. Support the show via Patreon at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  References and images at www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Video: See modern stoneworkers reproducing ancient vessels, at Scientists Against Myths https://youtu.be/dC3Z_DBnCp8 Select Bibliography: Andrzej Ćwiek, “Date and Function of the So-Called Minor Step Pyramids,” Göttingen Miszellen 162 (1998): 39–52. Raphael Giveon, "A Second Relief of Sekhemkhet in Sinai," Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 216 (1974): 17-20. M. Zakaria Goneim, The Buried Pyramid, 1956. M. Zakaria Goneim, Horus Sekhem-khet: The Unfinished Step Pyramid at Saqqara, 1957. Jean-Philippe Lauer, "Le Complexe Funéraire De L'horus Sekhem-Khet Et La Seconde Pyramide A Degrés De Saqqarah," Revue Archéologique 2 (1959): 89-95. Ronald J. Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, 2013. Stephan J. Seidlmayer, "The Relative Chronology of Dynasty 3," in E. Hornung, R. Krauss, and D. Warburton (eds), Ancient Egyptian Chronology, 2006: 116-23.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Tammi 201359min

As Egypt's "Third Dynasty" began, a new monument took shape. King Netjerykhet Djoser and his architect, Imhotep, created something unusual. The Step Pyramid rose on the western horizon, ushering in a new era of monument building... Time Period: circa 2700 – 2650 BCE Kings: Netjerykhet (Djoser) Notable sites: Saqqara, Iunu (Heliopolis) Episode Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. The History of Egypt Podcast website www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.com. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Select Bibliography: Erik Hornung, Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: the One and the Many, 1996 (Amazon). Mark Lehner, The Complete Pyramids, 2008 (Amazon). John Romer, A History of Egypt: from the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid, 2013 (Amazon). Toby Wilkinson, Early Dynastic Egypt, 2001 (Amazon). David Wengrow, The Archaeology of Early Egypt, 2006 (Amazon). Robert Wenke, The Ancient Egyptian State, 2009 (Amazon). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Tammi 201341min

Atum Creates the Universe. The stories of how ancient Egypt (and the world) came into existence are beautiful. In this episode, we explore three Creation myths: the tale of Atum and the primeval Ocean; the tale of Ptah and the divine word; and the story of the Ogdoad, the Council of Eight Gods. Each tale gives its own spin on the origins of life, the universe, and everything... Date c.4.5 billion years ago - 10,000 BCE Website: https://egyptianhistorypodcast.com Support the Show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Follow the show on social media www.facebook.com/egyptpodcast and www.twitter.com/egyptianpodcast Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 Tammi 201319min

Warring gods, divided dynasties. Following the First Dynasty of rulers, the Egyptian royal family seems to divide. Shadowy records hint at civil conflicts, and archaeological information reveals climate change and economic decay. These troubles shattered royal unity, but they may have had a larger legacy: inspiring tales of the gods Horus and Seth, who waged a decades-long battle for the kingship of Egypt... Time period: 2850 – 2700 BCE. Kings: Peribsen, Khasekhemwy. Notable sites: Saqqara, Abydos. Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. The History of Egypt Podcast website www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.com. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Select Bibliography: Erik Hornung, Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: the One and the Many, 1996 (Amazon). John Romer, A History of Egypt: from the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid, 2013 (Amazon). Toby Wilkinson, Early Dynastic Egypt, 2001 (Amazon). David Wengrow, The Archaeology of Early Egypt, 2006 (Amazon). Robert Wenke, The Ancient Egyptian State, 2009 (Amazon). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Tammi 201341min

Egypt's earliest monarchs are a curious bunch. Powerful figures like Aha and Merneith left their mark on this "First Dynasty," with lavish tombs and extensive records. Egyptians led campaigns and trading expeditions to foreign lands. Along the way, they achieved a form of immortality... Time period: circa 3000-2900 BCE Kings: Aha, Djer, Wadjet, Mer-Neith, Den. Notable sites: Abdju (Abydos), Nekhen (Hierakonpolis), Saqqara (necropolis of Memphis). Gods: Horus, Neith Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. The History of Egypt Podcast website www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.com. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.  Select Bibliography: Erik Hornung, Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: the One and the Many, 1996 (Amazon). John Romer, A History of Egypt: from the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid, 2013 (Amazon). Toby Wilkinson, Early Dynastic Egypt, 2001 (Amazon). David Wengrow, The Archaeology of Early Egypt, 2006 (Amazon). Robert Wenke, The Ancient Egyptian State, 2009 (Amazon). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Tammi 201340min

Five thousand years ago, a kingdom emerged on the banks of the Nile. The "Two Lands" of Southern and Northern Egypt slowly unified, and rulers like Narmer established their authority. The origins of the kingdom are murky, but archaeology can uncover secrets. In this episode, we meet the first ruler of the land, get a sense of Egypt and its people, and introduce the podcast as a whole. Welcome! Date: circa 3050 – 3000 BCE. Kings: Narmer, Scorpion (epilogue). The History of Egypt Podcast website. Support the show at www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Episode Music by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.com. Select Bibliography: Kathryn A. Bard, An Introduction to the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt, 2nd edition, 2015. Eugenia D’Atanasio et al., “The Peopling of the Last Green Sahara Revealed by High-Coverage Resequencing of Trans-Saharan Patrilineages,” Genome Biology 19.20 (2018): 1–15. Gunter Dreyer, “Tomb U-j: A Royal Burial of Dynasty 0 at Abydos,” in Emily Teeter (ed.) Before the Pyramids: The Origins of Egyptian Civilization, 2011: 127-36. A.J. Spencer, Early Egypt: The Rise of Civilization in the Nile Valley, 1993. Barry J. Kemp, Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization, 3rd edition, 2018. David O’Connor, Abydos: Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris, 2011. John Romer, A History of Ancient Egypt from the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid, 2013. Alice Stevenson, “Material Culture of the Predynastic Period,” in Emily Teeter (ed.) Before the Pyramids: The Origins of Egyptian Civilization, 2011: 65-74. David Wengrow, “Landscapes of Knowledge, Idioms of Power: The African Foundations of Ancient Egyptian Civilization Reconsidered,” in David O’Connor and Andrew Reid (eds) Ancient Egypt in Africa, 2003: 121-36. David Wengrow, The Archaeology of Early Egypt: Social Transformations in North-East Africa, 10,000 to 2650 BC, 2006. Robert J. Wenke, The Ancient Egyptian State: The Origins of Egyptian Culture (c. 8000 – 2000 BC), 2009. Toby A.H. Wilkinson, Early Dynastic Egypt, 1999. Bruce B. Williams, “Relations Between Egypt and Nubia in the Predynastic Period,” in Emily Teeter (ed.) Before the Pyramids: The Origins of Egyptian Civilization, 2011: 83-92. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Tammi 201333min