Ancient Egypt
Towards the end of the fourth millennium BC several
independent city-states were unified to form a single state,
marking the beginning of over 3,000 years of pharaonic civilisation
in the Nile Valley. Fertile earth left behind after the yearly Nile
flood provided the basis for Egypt’s agricultural prosperity, a key
factor in the longevity of the civilisation.
Impressive monuments were erected in the name of kings, from
monumental temples for the gods to the pyramids marking the burials
of rulers.
The British Museum collection includes statuary and decorated
architecture from throughout pharaonic history, often inscribed
with hieroglyphs. Many other aspects of ancient Egyptian culture
are represented: coffins and mummies of individuals, but also
furniture, fine jewellery and other burial goods. These reflect the
practice of lavish burials for the wealthy, which included the
royal family, government officials and the priesthood.
Texts preserved on papyrus help reveal the complex
administration of the country, but also include magical, medical
and mathematical works and poetry. Pottery vessels and a variety of
tools and agricultural equipment hint at the day-to-day lives of
ancient Egyptians.
At certain periods, Egypt’s empire extended over neighbouring
areas, from Upper Nubia to the Euphrates river. But Egypt was also
linked to other countries through trade, and many foreigners came
to reside in Egypt, producing a cosmopolitan society.
Egypt did endure several periods of foreign domination, by
Palestinian, Nubian, Persian, Greek and Roman rulers. Yet
throughout, temples to the Egyptian gods continued to be built in
the traditional style and aspects of Egyptian religion spread
throughout the ancient world.
By the fourth century AD, Christianity had become the dominant
religion along the Nile, with Islam first introduced in the seventh
century AD.
Image caption: Papyrus from the Book of
the Dead of Any
From Thebes, Egypt. 19th Dynasty, around 1275 BC