Egyptology Q&A Session with Professor Laurel Bestock

Introduction

• Professor Laurel Bestock answers internet questions on Egyptology.

When Did Ancient Egypt Begin?

• Ancient Egypt began around 3000 BC with the first king.
• The pyramids at Giza are about 2400 BC.
• There's more time between the pyramids and Cleopatra than between Cleopatra and us.
• Ancient Egypt was ancient even in ancient times.

How Did The Sphinx's Nose Break?

• Best evidence: A 15th-century Arabic historian claims someone deliberately shot the nose off.
• There are myths about Napoleon's army, but they are likely incorrect.
• The Sphinx depicts King Khafre of the 4th Dynasty.

What Did Ancient Egyptians Sound Like?

• Knowledge of the language comes from Coptic, written in Greek letters.
• The Mummy movies provide a phonetically accurate representation.

Ancient Egyptian Medicine and Tools

• Advanced medicine: performed brain surgery, had pregnancy tests using barley and wheat.
• Modern tests confirm some ancient methods are effective.

Social Life and Alcohol

• No bars, but alcohol (beer and wine) was central to social life.
• Festivals involved drinking in tombs.
• Large-scale breweries existed before 3000 BC.

Ancient Egyptian Appearance in Media

• Accurate landscapes and monuments in Assassin's Creed Origins.
• Bent Pyramid in Dashur represented.

King Tut's Popularity