New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period

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.

c. 1550–1070 B.C.E.

Beginner's Guide

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The New York Obelisk, Cleopatra’s Needle
The New York Obelisk, Cleopatra’s Needle

Why is this ancient Egyptian obelisk in New York City?

The White Chapel
The White Chapel

The quality of the carvings on the Middle Kingdom White Chapel is exceptional.

New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period, an introduction
New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period, an introduction

An introduction to the New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period in ancient Egypt

Bronze statuette of Thutmose IV
Bronze statuette of Thutmose IV

A surviving metal statue of an ancient Egyptian ruler

Canopic Jar with a Lid in the Shape of a Royal Woman’s Head
Canopic Jar with a Lid in the Shape of a Royal Woman’s Head

"It seems to me that aesthetically this goes well beyond meeting the need of surviving into the afterlife."

Barry X Ball on an Egyptian fragment of a queen’s face
Barry X Ball on an Egyptian fragment of a queen’s face

"It's balanced between this incredible idealization and humanity."

A bottle and a toy: Objects from daily life
A bottle and a toy: Objects from daily life

Egyptian archaeological finds tend to be remnants of the rich—little remains from the rest of society.

Paintings from the Tomb-chapel of Nebamun
Paintings from the Tomb-chapel of Nebamun

Scenes show Nebamun’s family at work and play, giving vibrant insight into the lives of ancient Egyptian elites.

Paintings from the tomb of Sebekhotep
Paintings from the tomb of Sebekhotep

Painted scenes placed in Sebekhotep's tomb illustrate his importance as an official, and represent his relationship with the king

The tomb-chapel of Nebamun
The tomb-chapel of Nebamun

These lush wall paintings have been called “antiquity’s equivalent to Michelangelo.”

<em>Head of Tutankhamun</em>
Head of Tutankhamun

At only 6 years old, Tutankhamun is crowned pharaoh by the god Amun-Ra.

<em>Hunefer’s Judgement in the presence of Osiris</em>
Hunefer’s Judgement in the presence of Osiris

Did Hunefer live an ethical life? See the judgment of the Egyptian gods—who weigh Hunefer’s heart.

Selected Contributors