Egypt: From the Middle Kingdom to the New Kingdom, 2050-1050 BCE

Egyptian Timeline

• Old Kingdom (2700-2150)– Hieroglyphics and religion develop

– pyramids built

• Middle Kingdom (2050-1750)– extension of Egypt into Nubia

• New Kingdom (1570-1075)– militaristic - Hebrews enslaved

– mummification perfected

Middle Kingdom 2050-1750 BCE

• End of civil wars, farming and trade return

• move capital south to Thebes

• public improvements– drain swamps, canal to Red Sea

• belief in afterlife expands to include common people

• tombs instead of pyramids– better protection for mummies.

Hyksos Invasion

Ahmose I leading Egyptians against the Hyksos

Process

1. Announcement of Death

• Messenger Sent out to the streets to announce the dead.

2. Embalming the Body

• Dead body brought to special tent for embalming

The body is now covered and stuffed with natron which will dry it out. All of the fluids, and rags from the embalming process will be saved and buried along with the body.

After forty days the body is washed again with water from the Nile. Then it is covered with oils to help the skin stay elastic.

The dehydrated internal organs are wrapped in linenand returned to the body. The body is stuffed with dry materials such as sawdust, leaves and linen so that it looks lifelike. Finally the body is covered again with good-smelling oils. It is now ready to be wrapped in linen.

3. Removal of Brain

5. Drying out Process

• Method: Body placed on slab and covered with Natron Salt

• 40 Days

6. Wrapping the body

• Hundreds of Yards of Linen

• Body covered with “Mummia” to glue everything together.

7. Final Procession

• People were paid to cry to show the gods the person was well loved

• The more people crying, the better.

Ritual #1: Opening of the Mouth

Ritual #2: Weighing of the Heart

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Hatshepsut

Senenmut

Deir el Bahari

Conclusion

• Hatshepsut has left a legacy of architectural elegance.

• Great pharaoh, great ruler, builder and warrior

• But her name was erased by later Egyptian rulers