New Kingdom pharaohs controlled vast wealth. Thebes was the religious center of the period, and Pharaohs built mortuary temples here and were buried in huge rock-cut tombs. These massive building projects demonstrate the power and wealth of the New Kingdom.
c. 2030 - 1070 B.C.E.
Full of spells, prayers, and incantations, the Book of the Dead helped on the journey to the afterlife.
Egyptian archaeological finds tend to be remnants of the rich—little remains from the rest of society.
Scenes show Nebamun’s family at work and play, giving vibrant insight into the lives of ancient Egyptian elites.
These lush wall paintings have been called “antiquity’s equivalent to Michelangelo.”
From temples on the east bank of the Nile to the Valley of the Kings, Thebes was a wonder of Egyptian Civilization.
This hippopotamus, found in a tomb, carries symbols of life and death, regeneration and chaos—why was it broken?
Did Hunefer live an ethical life? See the judgment of the Egyptian gods—who weigh Hunefer’s heart.
Tiye was a powerful figure, but her royal life was complicated, as demonstrated through this changing statue.
Found in an artist’s studio, this stunning bust exemplifies a change in style, and may have been an early prototype.
Upon becoming pharaoh, Akhenaten revolutionized the religion and artistic style of Egypt—at least until his death.
This massive temple complex was a major religious center—and its architecture mirrors ancient Egyptian creation myths.
