An Overview of Life in Ancient Egypt

    The Dynastic Period in Egypt is usually dated from the unification of Egypt around 3000 BCE to the Greek conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE.  During this time, the region was ruled chiefly by native families, as well as neighboring groups such as the Hyksos, Kushites, and Persians.  Located at the crossroads of Asia Minor and Africa, Egypt was part of a vast network of material and cultural exchange that would last for thousands of years.

    NB: Uniquely Madison's video should be watched at 1.25 times normal speed.  Just click the gear icon at the bottom of the video and select "Playback speed" to change it.

General information
    Allen, James, and Marsha Hill. "Egypt in the Late Period (ca. 664–332 B.C.)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2018.
    Oppenheim, Adela. "Egypt in the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030–1650 B.C.)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019.
    Prakash, Tara. "Egypt in the Old Kingdom (ca. 2649–2130 B.C.)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019.
    Roehrig, Catharine H. "Egypt in the New Kingdom (ca. 1550–1070 B.C.)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000.

Architecture and engineering
    Hill, Marsha. "Art, Architecture, and the City in the Reign of Amenhotep IV / Akhenaten (ca. 1353–1336 B.C.)." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2014.
    Leedsmuseums. "Museum from Home: What were Ancient Egyptian Houses Like?" YouTube. Posted May 1, 2020.
    Smarthistory. "Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and Large Kneeling Statue, New Kingdom, Egypt." YouTube. Posted May 9, 2015.
    The British Museum. "Making a 3,000 year old bed I Curator's Corner S5 Ep9 #CuratorsCorner." YouTube. Posted October 21, 2019.
    The Great Courses. "This is How the Pyramids Were Built | Secrets of Ancient Egypt." YouTube. Posted June 21, 2023.

Clothing and fashion
    Hallay, Amanda. "THE ULTIMATE FASHION HISTORY - Ancient Egypt." YouTube. Posted November 29, 2015.
    The British Museum. "5,000-year-old tattoos from Ancient Egypt I Curator's Corner S3 Ep6 #CuratorsCorner." YouTube. Posted March 4, 2018.
    The British Museum. "Why did ancient Egyptians wear wigs?" YouTube. Posted May 11, 2015.
    Uniquely Madison. "The Real Fashion Of Ancient Egypt : Fashion Archaeology Ep.1." YouTube. Posted November 22, 2019.

Food and drink
    Archaeology Now. "Tiny Lecture: Feasting Like A Pharaoh - Dr. Salima Ikram." YouTube. Posted May 20, 2020.
    Smithsonian Channel. "Ancient Egyptian Tombs Were Crammed Full of Snacks." YouTube. Posted November 12, 2019.
    The British Museum. "How to make 5,000 year old beer I Pleasant Vices episode 3." YouTube. Posted May 23, 2018.

Games and entertainment
    Dunn-Vaturi, Anne-Elizabeth. "Board Games from Ancient Egypt and the Near East." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2018.
    Zwang, Danielle. "Senet and Twenty Squares: Two Board Games Played by Ancient Egyptians." The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Posted July 19, 2017.

Health and medicine
    Villanovauniversity. "Biology Seminar: Practicing Medicine in Ancient Egypt:." YouTube. Posted February 26, 2016.

Literature and education
    Capua, Rebecca. "Papyrus-Making in Egypt." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2015.
    Kamrin, Janice. "Telling Time in Ancient Egypt." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2017.
    Knott, Elizabeth. "The Amarna Letters." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2016.
    Smarthistory. "Decoding the Rosetta Stone (corrected version)." YouTube. Posted July 14, 2020.
    The British Museum. "Ancient Egyptian poetry: The Tale of Sinuhe." YouTube. Posted March 2, 2017.
    The Great Courses. "Decoding the Secrets of Egyptian Hieroglyphs | Ancient Egyptian Alphabet | Wondrium." YouTube. Posted December 12, 2016.
    The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures. "OI Ancient Literature Workshops, Session 1: Literature in Ancient Egyptian Society." YouTube. Posted February 13, 2021.

Painting and sculpture
    Riccardelli, Carolyn. "Egyptian Faience: Technology and Production." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2017.
    Schorsch, Deborah. "Gold in Ancient Egypt." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2017.
    Schorsch, Deborah. "Silver in Ancient Egypt." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2018.
    Schorsch, Deborah. "Turquoise in Ancient Egypt." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2018.
    The Met. "This wooden sculpture has motion and vitality unseen in most Egyptian art | Art, Explained." YouTube. Posted May 15, 2013.

Religion and folklore
    Arnold, Dorothea. "Tutankhamun’s Funeral." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2010.
    NationalMuseumsScotland. "Burial in Egypt's Golden Age." YouTube. Posted May 4, 2017.
    NationalMuseumsScotland. "Changing burial practices in a divided Egypt." YouTube. Posted May 4, 2017.
    Penn Museum. "Expedition - Anubis: Jackal in a God's Clothing." YouTube. Posted April 17, 2019.
    Smarthistory. "Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Three Daughters." YouTube. Posted July 29, 2012,
    Smarthistory. "Last Judgement of Hunefer, from his tomb." YouTube. Posted July 29, 2013.
    Stünkel, Isabel. "Ancient Egyptian Amulets." In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019.

Travel and transportation
    NOVA PBS Official. "Building Pharaoh's Chariot | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS." YouTube. Posted July 30, 2025.
    Smith, Joanna S. "Views from Land and Sea." Expedition Magazine, vol. 64, no. 3 (2023).
    Smithsonian Channel. "Why the Two-Wheel Chariot Was So Effective in Ancient Battles." YouTube. Posted March 30, 2020.

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