The Egyptian Woman______________________________

Archaeological Excavation in an Interactive Powerpoint

She’s an archaeologist leading an excavation near Cairo, Egypt.

With determination, resourcefulness, and pure luck she has stumbled across a tremendous discovery.

Julie’s so excited to have recruited YOU to help her complete the excavations and draw conclusions about the artifacts included in her findings.

I would like to introduce you to Julie

Julie is confident that she has discovered the royal chambers of an unknown Egyptian Queen, a true woman of her time.

Julie is the primary archaeologist and site coordinator for your dig team. She has used appropriate dating techniques, and has executed a flawless excavation.

Julie has asked YOU to analyse the artifacts that she has uncovered and to draw conclusions about them.

“What do you think we can conclude from the discoveries?” she asked.

Assume that this is a Queen’s chamber. What kind of conclusions can we draw about the roles of women in ancient Egyptian society based on these artifacts.

Here is the dig site, as it was excavated and recorded by Julie.

Click on each of the artifacts to study them in more depth.

Egyptian Woman’s Wig

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-Wigs were worn by both men and women. They were made of braided linen strips glued with beeswax.

-Women often wore false braids to fill out their own hair. Coverings of fine linen protected hair from the always-present dust and sand.

Cosmetics Box

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-Egyptians spent a great deal of time making themselves attractive.

-Cosmetics were not only an important part of Egyptian dress but a matter of personal hygiene and health.

-Egyptians may have invented make-up.

-No one, rich or poor, would go without some kind of make-up.

Bronze Mirror

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-Part of a woman’s daily routine was the application of make-up and hair.

-Bronze and silver were often polished to a high shine to create a mirrored surface

Cosmetic Spoon and Cosmetics

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-black eye paint used to reduce the glare of the sun and improve appearance.

-Hairdressers, and make-up artists, are used regularly by wealthy Egyptian women

-Role as “Lady of the House” for wealthy women resulted in a life of leisure and pampering.

Statue of Nefertiti

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-Nefertiti, Queen to Akhenaton, contributed to the success of the Amarna Revolution, fulfilling her role as Queen and “Gods Wife”

- this religious position brought with it tremendous political power, second only to the king.

-“Gods Wives” lead a cult of female priestesses, and earned livings as professional mourners, and funerary priests.

Statue of Woman Rolling Dough

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-common women fulfill many roles in society, but primary role involved maintenance of the house, and child rearing

-Servants were thought to be important for wealthy people in the afterlife. Women often filled the roles of domestic servants.

-Servant models were often placed in tombs of the wealthy

-Female servants often tended to the every need to wealthy Egyptian women, and looked after her children.

-Laundry was increasingly done by men in Egypt.

Portrayals of Hatshepsut

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-She took the title "King of Upper and Lower Egypt". She had herself portrayed in all the trappings of the kings including a false beard. Within the same inscription she is often referred to as king and queen

- Hatshepsut was one of the first women rulers in history and one of only a handful of female Egyptian kings. Her reign was generally peaceful and she increased the trade borders of the country.

Couples Statuettes

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-Egyptians were thought to be relatively enlightened in their approach to sexual equality.

-There is no evidence for any kind of legal or religious marriage ceremony in ancient Egypt.

-Equality in many other areas of society was enjoyed by women

Isis (Maat) Statuette

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-Egyptians viewed their universe as a complete duality of male and female

- the goddess Isis (also known as Maat) gave balance and order to all things, and was the symbol of cosmic harmony by whose rules the pharaoh must govern.

-Isis also represents fertility, motherhood, and the important bond of mother and child.

Statue of Queen Tiy

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-rose from her life as a commoner to become “great royal wife” of Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BCE).

Other Queens:

-Ahhotep’s bravery was rewarded with full military honors at her burial

-Khentkawes status as both daughter and mother of kings resulted in 4th largest pyramid constructed at Giza