Unsolved problems in Egyptology

From The Book of THoTH (Leaves of Wisdom)

The following are unsolved problems in Egyptology and modern knowledge of ancient Egypt. The items are in the form of a list of unsolved problems and includes a list of ancient Egypt mysteries.

Contents

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Problems and mysteries

There are many open problems concerning Ancient Egypt, and some of them may never be solved. Egyptian archaeology is in a state of constant transition, with much of the terminology and chronology in dispute. The archeological record is incomplete, with some relics and artifacts missing or destroyed. New archaeological discoveries can call into question previous conclusions about Ancient Egypt. Furthermore, there are internal problems of overall cohesion of various dynasties and there are problems reconciling the Egyptian civilization with other concurrent civilizations.

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Origins

Ancient Egypt appeared as a unified state no later than 3300 BC. It survived as an independent state until about 300 BC. Archeological evidence suggest that a developed Egyptian society may have existed for much longer.

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The Pharaohs

  • Persona: Was King Cheops (Khufu) a good ruler or a tyrant, as later tradition described him?
  • Persona: Where is the body of Akhenaten? Was Akhenaten killed or exiled? What did Akhenaten believe?
  • Persona: Who was Tutankhamun? How did Tutankhamun die?
  • Persona: What happened to Hatshepsut? Was Senenmut the lover of Hatshepsut?
  • Persona: Was Khababash of the Thirtieth dynasty of Egypt a proper Pharaoh? Where did Khababash come from?
  • Customs: Was the Pharaoh really seen as a god or the position he held just viewed as divine?
  • Event: What kind of reign was Pharaoh Smendes I's rule? Was Egypt split during his governance?
  • Event: Did Ramesses III defend Egypt against the Sea People because they were invading or were they people fleeing to Egypt in the middle of a war?
  • Event: Was Ramesses III assassinated?
  • Event: Was Amenemhat I assassinated?
  • Event: What happened to Nefertiti? What caused the disappearance of Nefertiti?
  • Event: Did Necho II really send out an expedition which sailed from the Red Sea around Africa back to the mouth of the Nile?
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Temples and pyramids

Many Egyptian temples are still standing today. Others are in ruin from wear and tear, while others have been lost entirely. The Egyptian structures are among the largest man-made constructions ever conceived. They constitute one of the most potent and enduring symbols of Ancient Egyptian civilization.

  • Pyramids: What were the origins of the Egyptian pyramids? When and where was the concept of pyramids conceived? What were the pyramids used for? How were the pyramids built? When and why did the era of pyramid building end?
  • Pyramids: Why did Snofru build multiple pyramids? Are the "proper" pyramids (like the Red Pyramid) really his?
  • Pyramids: Does Abydos contain the last royal pyramids? Why was it built? Why does it have a pyramid?
  • Temples: How old is the Sphinx? Does the Sphinx date to the predynastic period or the Old Kingdom? What was the purpose of the Sphinx? Which pharaoh was the Sphinx meant to resemble?
  • Temples : Was the Labyrinth at Heracleopolis a myth or real?
  • Temples : Who built the Osireion at Abydos?
  • Temples : Is the Hall of Records real? If so, where is it? Is it under the Great Pyramid? Is it under the Sphinx?
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Burial and tombs

Mummification of the dead was not always practised in Egypt. Once the practice began, an individual was placed at his/her final resting place through a set of rituals and protocol. The Egyptian funeral was a complex ceremony including various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in the dead's honor.

  • Customs: Why did the Egyptians mummify the deceased? When did the process of mummification originate? How was the "Myth of Osiris" tied to mummification?
  • Customs: Were there human sacrifices at royal tombs, or is this just blood libel?
  • Customs: What was the meaning of the royal boats at Abydos?
  • Customs: Where are the Apis bull burials?
  • Tomb: Where is the royal tomb of Amenhotep I? Why was Amenhotep's body moved?
  • Tomb: Who are the individuals that are buried at Qurneh?
  • Tomb: Was the tomb of the sons of Ramesses II refounded by Amenhotep II?
  • Tomb: Where are the Third Intermediate Dynasty tombs at Tanis?
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Biblical

The ancient Egyptians are featured in the Old Testament, and played a prominent role in the early Hebrews' life, from Joseph's capture to the departure of the Hebrews from Egypt, and later interaction with the Kingdom of Israel.

There are several unanswered question as to the precise influence each had on the other.

  • Persona: Was Joseph the vizier to Amenhotep III? If so, was he in fact Vizier Yuya, or Osarseph?
  • Persona: Is there a connection between Moses and Akhenaten (see Osarseph)?
  • Persona: Who was Labaya? Was he a biblical figure (such as Saul)?
  • Persona: What Pharaoh gave Solomon his daughter to marry?
  • Event: Was the Exodus of the Israelites mythological or historical? If it was historical, under which Pharaoh did it occur? How many Hebrews were in Egypt? How many left in the Exodus?
  • Event: Was King Solomon involved in Egyptian religious practices, such as Atenism?
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Technology

Certain artifacts and records do not fit with conventional technological development systems. There is a question as to the sophistication of ancient Egyptian technology.

  • Methods: How did the Egyptians shape, form, and work granite?
  • Methods: When did Egyptians start producing glass?
  • Methods: Why is there not a neat progression to an Egyptian iron age? Why did the Egyptians take so long to utilize iron?
  • Methods: Were the Egyptians capable of long distant navigation in their boats? When did they become knowledgeable seamen?
  • Knowledge : Did Egyptians have some form of understanding of electricity? Did the Egyptians use batteries? What is the relief at Dendera?
  • Knowledge: What was the Saqqara Bird? Did Egyptians have some form of understanding of aerodynamics? Did Egyptians have kites or gliders?
  • Knowledge: What does the Tulli Papyrus describe? Did it come from the reign of Thutmosis III?
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Language and the arts

  • Literature: Were Egyptian hieroglyphs the first written language? Why did the Egyptians use hieroglyphs?
  • Literature: Why were hieroglyphs forgotten?
  • Literature: Was the Story of Sinuhe a myth or real? If it was real, did Sinuhe abandon his duty or was he a hero?
  • Customs: Who were the Egyptian priests and magicians? What kind of magic and spells did they use?
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Miscellaneous

  • Geography: Where was the land of Punt? Why was it referred to as "God's Land"?
  • Geography: Was Alashiya the island Cyprus?
  • Geography: Where was the area of Yam?
  • History: Did the "Nubian Dark Age" really occur in the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt?
  • History: Was the First Intermediate Period of Egypt really a Dark Age?
  • History: Who was the victor at the Battle of Kadesh?
  • History: Why did Plato write about Atlantis as described by Sonchis, Egyptian priest of Thebes? Who was Solon and why did he visit Egypt? Did Solon meet Sonchis or is it a fable?
  • History: Why were there Minoan paintings in Avaris? What was the relationship between Minoan civilization and Egyptian civilization?
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See also

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References

  • Manley, Bill (ed.), The Seventy Great Mysteries of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0500051232
  • Mysteries of Egypt National Geographic Society, 1999. ISBN 0792297520
  • Knapp, Ron, Tutankhamun and the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Messner, 1979. ISBN 0671330365
  • Jacq, Christian, Magic and mystery in ancient Egypt. Souvenir Press, 1998. ISBN 0285634623
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Further reading and other publications

  • Archibald's guide to the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Swfte International, Ltd., 1994.
  • Bauval, Robert, and Adrian Gilbert, The Orion Mystery : Unlocking the Secrets of the Pyramids". 1994. ISBN 0517884542
  • Childress, David Hatcher, Technology of the Gods: The Incredible Sciences of the Ancients. Adventures Unlimited Pre, 2000. ISBN 0932813739
  • Mertz, Barbara. Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt. Dodd Mead, 1978. ISBN 0396075754
  • Mertz, Barbara. Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt. Bedrick, 1990. ISBN 0872262235
  • Morris, Margaret, The Egyptian Pyramid Mystery Is Solved. ISBN 0972043403
  • Rhys-Davies, John, Riddles of the monument builders : Who built the Sphinx Time-Life Video, 1995.
  • Sitchin, Zecharia, The earth chronicles expeditions : journeys to the mythical past. Bear & Co., 2004. ISBN 1591430364
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External links and other resources

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