Best Colleen Chambers Podcasts (2025)

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News from the Field (2025-2026 Part 1) 19:44

Play Pause

2d ago19:44

19:44

The winter 2025/26 excavation season is underway, and lots of news is coming forth already. Let's explore the major finds! Chapters: The GEM is open 00:30. Scans at Menkaura's pyramid: 04:12. Discovery at Tanis: 07:31. Alexandria ship: 08:49. Amarna Plague? 10:39. Thera Tempest? 12:41. Karnak Re-Dated: 14:43. New Temple Discovery: 16:05. Sources: M…

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Thanks for listening (End-of-Year Wrap-up 2025) 3:13

2d ago3:13

3:13

A quick message to say thanks for listening in 2025, and what's coming up on the podcast... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Dominic Perry

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Egyptology & Podcasting: Interview with Science Factory (Preview) 6:00

4d ago6:00

6:00

I recently did an interview with the Science Factory YouTube channel. This is a short preview of the conversation. Find the full video at the Science Factory on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K731D4bfMw and on their podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Dominic Perry

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Livestream: Sat 20 Dec - Abu Simbel 2:20

8d ago2:20

2:20

Howdy folks, it's time for another Livestream lecture! This time, I want to take you on a tour of Abu Simbel. To explain the design, decoration, and history of the monument. Along the way, we'll introduce Nefertari and her special temple, and the myriad royal children whom Ramesses displayed on his monuments. Livestream will be on YouTube https://w…

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224: Ozymandias (or, Shadow of the Colossus) 36:50

16d ago36:50

36:50

Divine intermediaries. Ramesses II commissioned many statues, some of which are among the largest ever quarried. From the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum, to the bedrock of Aswan, we follow the King's development of a remarkable project. Colossal statues of the king, bearing distinct names and even their own priests, provided Ramesses' subjects …

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223: Ramesses & Hattusili Best Friends Forever 34:46

23d ago34:46

34:46

Egyptian-Hittite Diplomacy. In the aftermath of the Treaty, Ramesses II and Hattusili III got down to business establishing their brotherhood. From prospective summits in Canaan, to fabulous gift-exchanges by Nefertari and a prince, the Egyptian and Hittite courts negotiated their new bonds. Alas, things weren't always rosy, and the issue of Urhi-T…

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Let's visit Egypt? Tour 2026 November, "Roaming with Ramesses" 14:49

30d ago14:49

14:49

In November of 2026, I’d like to take you on a tour I’m calling “Roaming with Ramesses.” Themed around the 19th Dynasty, and the days of the Ramessid pharaohs, we’ll explore multiple sites across northern and southern Egypt. The tour is organised by my long-time collaborators, Ancient World Tours. They’ve been in the business for over 30 years, and…

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Ramesses II War and Peace with Prof. Peter Brand 52:19

1M ago52:19

52:19

The ultimate pharaoh makes the ultimate agreement. In this interview, Prof. Peter Brand offers us his insights on the cultures of Egypt and Hatti around the time of the Year 21 Treaty. From the background details of diplomatic correspondence, to the larger context of empires at war, we deep-dive the history of this important treaty. Learn more abou…

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222: Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty 36:25

1M ago36:25

36:25

The Egyptian-Hittite Treaty. In regnal year 21 (c.1272 BCE), Ramesses II announced a treaty with Hattusili III. The two kings united in "peace and brotherhood, forever," and agreed to a raft of provisions regarding their territories, vassals, rules-of-succession, and more. As the first (surviving) treaty between the two Great Powers, the year 21 ag…

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221: Ramesses II Raiders of Syria 26:38

2M ago26:38

26:38

The later wars of Ramesses II (Years 8 to 15). Following Kadesh, Ramesses led or despatched further campaigns into Canaan and Syria. These battles are documented on his temple walls, preserving some details of the geopolitical situation. From the death of a rival, to the plundering of Syria's heartland, we go in search of these "lost campaigns." Mu…

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220: Ramesses II Dead Sea to Galilee 24:58

2M ago24:58

24:58

Moves and counter-moves. In the aftermath of Kadesh, Muwattalli (King of Hatti) seems to consoldiated hold over Syria. Border territories like Amurru fell to Hittite influence. At home, Ramesses spent at least one year regrouping before launching his reponse. Soon, pharaonic armies were marching into northern Canaan (around Galilee) and east, into …

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219: Abu Simbel, Ramesses' Great Temple 45:32

2M ago45:32

45:32

Holy mountain. Around 1286 BCE, builders started work at Abu Simbel. Sacred to a local form of Horus, this sandstone mountain would become one of the most famous monuments in the Nile Valley. It was called the “House of Ramesses, Beloved of Amun,” and provided a home for dozens of deities. Within, sunlight illuminated its sanctuary on certain days,…

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218: Give Me Back My Donkey! and Other Tales 29:45

3M ago29:45

29:45

Daily Life in Ramessid Egypt (Part 1). Starting around 1300 BCE, the (surviving) corpus of written documents from Egypt begins to increase dramatically. It's not clear why, but papyrus and ostraca are far more abundant for this era than anything before. Thanks to these records, we get many glimpses of daily life and personal concerns, from the soci…

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217: The Art of Kadesh (Livestream) 1:14:15

3M ago1:14:15

1:14:15

Our final part of the Kadesh story is Ramesses' art. Wall carvings, on major temples, present the pharaohs' summary of Kadesh and the conflict. They include many fun details, including enemy combatants, and comparing some scenes with artefacts allows us to imagine aspects of the ancient battle. Video version available on my YouTube channel https://…

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Ancient Historical Fiction with Dr. Colleen Darnell 1:01:40

3M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

My guest today is Dr. Colleen Darnell, who will speak to us about New Kingdom literature (featuring rulers like Ramesses, Thutmose III, Seqenenra, and more). It’s a fun discussion, ranging from the calamitous death of Seqenenra Tao, to the triumphs of Thutmose III and Ramesses II, to the divine glamour of chariots, and how pharaohs became literary …

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216b: Kadesh, the ROCK Musical (Preview) 3:38

3M ago3:38

3:38

Heavy Metal Hittites. This is a preview of my "rock musical" version of Kadesh. Full version available at patreon.com/c/egyptpodcast. Song produced by Hermanubis (aka Luke Chaos https://chaosmusick.bandcamp.com/). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Dominic Perry

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216: How Ramesses Described Kadesh 36:28

4M ago36:28

36:28

The war of the words. Following his strategic defeat at Kadesh, Ramesses set about putting his version of the story into wide circulation. Today, art and texts of this conflict survive at the temples of Abu Simbel, Karnak, Luxor, Abydos, and the Ramesseum. Among those texts, we have the “Literary Record” or “Kadesh Poem.” A lengthy, dramatised vers…

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Kadesh: What Was It Good For? with Prof. Peter Brand 1:35:48

4M ago1:35:48

1:35:48

Why is the Battle of Kadesh so famous, compared to other ancient conflicts? What can we take away from Ramesses' account in terms of "truth" vs "rhetoric." And what did it all up to, really? Prof. Peter Brand returns to discuss the battle in great detail, from the blow-by-blow moments to the larger strategic and political context. Along the way, we…

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215: Ramesses II Taking Hands, Healing Wounds 46:22

4M ago46:22

46:22

Who won? In the aftermath of battle, Ramesses and Muwattalli withdrew from Kadesh. We discuss the short- and long-term fallout and consider the "score card" for the respective armies. Then, we spend time with the wounded soldiers, using the Edwin Smith Papyrus to understand diagnoses and treatments used by ancient Egyptian physicians (swnw). Finall…

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214: Ramesses II The Battle of Kadesh 1:59:17

5M ago1:59:17

1:59:17

In June of 1287 BCE (approximately), one of antiquity’s great conflicts unfolded in southern Syria. Meeting near Kadesh (Qidsha), the armies of Egypt and Hatti fought each other in a spectacular engagement. The events of that battle are recorded, somewhat grandiosely, by Ramesses II in temple art and extended hieroglyph narratives. With those as ou…

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213: Ramesses II Seven Nation Army 50:09

5M ago50:09

50:09

Ramesses, Muwattalli, and the Trojans(?). In June of 1287 BCE, the Great Kings of Hatti and Egypt were on the verge of a major confrontation. Ramesses, marching across Sinai and into Canaan, made careful preparations for his assault on Kadesh. Alas, even the best-planned campaign could not be hidden from a watchful enemy. In Hatti, Muwattalli II se…

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212: Ramesses II The Arsenal of Pharaohcracy 32:37

5M ago32:37

32:37

Preparing for Kadesh. In 1287 BCE (late in his fifth regnal year) King Ramesses II departed Egypt on campaign. His target? The city of Kadesh / Qidsha in southern Syria. The Kadesh campaign is famous, as one of history’s “great battles.” Today, we “set the scene,” and explore the preparations for this war. We have a surprisingly detailed picture of…

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Kadesh: The 200 Year Enemy with Prof. Peter Brand 49:54

5M ago49:54

49:54

Leading up to the Battle of Kadesh (c.1287 BCE) betwen Ramesses II of Egypt and Muwatalli II of Hatti, we need to understand the background. Why was this city the epicentre of such a major conflict? How did the rulers of Kadesh (Kadeshians?) persistently frustrate pharaohs dating back two centuries to Thutmose III (c.1480 BCE). Today, Prof. Peter B…

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Ancient Egyptian Curse / Swear Words 14:32

5M ago14:32

14:32

We learn how to insult someone in ancient Egyptian, based on the surviving texts... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Dominic Perry

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Ramesses' Wild West with Prof. Steven Snape 1:07:49

6M ago1:07:49

1:07:49

Heart of Darkness at Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham. Far from the Nile Valley, on Egypt’s northern coastline, Ramessid soldiers and civilians constructed a significant fortress to control the maritime roads. This remote garrison faced off against Libyan tribes coming from the far west (e.g. the Meshwesh of Cyrenaica), traded with Mediterranean merchants, po…

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NSFW Not Safe for Water (Did Pharaohs Masturbate into the Nile?) 14:30

6M ago14:30

14:30

Explicit content. There's a factoid floating around on the internet. It claims that, to ensure fertility and good harvest, pharaohs would annually masturbate into the River Nile. This claim is total bubkis, but where did it come from? Which deities and myths were most closely associated with such concepts? In this mini episode, we explore the facto…

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Hapi Days (or, Ramesses in DeNile) 20:15

6M ago20:15

20:15

Hapi was Egypt. The life-giving waters of the annual flood (inundation) were his work; and thanks to these waters, Egypt flourished, its people were fed, the gods received their offerings, and the social order was maintained. From the New Kingdom, papyrus and ostraca record songs/poems to the river god, called "Praise (dua) of Hapi." From the days …

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Scent of a Mummy: Smells and Pleasure in ancient Egypt, with Dora Goldsmith 40:50

6M ago40:50

40:50

What did ancient Egyptians like to smell? Did they use any narcotics in their day to day lives? And what do mummified bodies smell like? Today, I'm pleased to welcome Dora Goldsmith to the podcast. Dora Goldsmith is a PhD-candidate at the Freie Universitat in Berlin, Germany. Specialising in ancient smellscapes, Dora explores how the ancient Egypti…

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Writing Kadesh and the Podcast on YouTube 3:51

6M ago3:51

3:51

We're joining YouTube! After many years of on-off effort, I'm finally putting podcast episodes in video form up on my YouTube channel. Also, a quick update on the narrative as a I prepare the Battle of Kadesh... Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@ancientegypthist Massive thanks to Amr Saleh for taking on the editing duties. I hope you…

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Egypt Tour 2026 March, Come Sail Away with Me (and Ramesses) 12:09

7M ago12:09

12:09

Hello everyone, it’s that time again! In March of 2026, we’re offering a new itinerary in the Nile Valley. This one is called the New Kingdom Cruise. It lasts for ten days, with a special focus on the south, the monuments of Elephantine (Aswan) and Lake Nasser. We ride a cruise boat, organised by Ancient World Tours, and visit monuments of Thutmose…

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211: Ramesses II The First Campaign of Victory 30:01

7M ago30:01

30:01

Ramesses II defends his borders. In the early years of his reign, Ramesses focussed on home defence. His army established new forts at remote locations along the western Delta and Mediterranean Coast (Marmarica). Traces of this work can be found at famous locations like el-Alamein, Mersa Matruh, and Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, the latter of which has be…

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Feed Swap: The Ancient World - Ages 52:35

7M ago52:35

52:35

Fellow podcaster Scott Chesworth, from The Ancient World has a new season. I’m excited to introduce “The Ancient World – Ages”, a series covering the Early Bronze Age Collapse (c. 2200 BC) and the remaking of Southwest Eurasia. In this feed swap, you’ll hear episode A3 – The Kings of Kish. It covers the period c.2900 BCE and 2350 BCE, also known as…

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210: Ramesses II The Eyes of Ra, The House of Life 29:39

7M ago29:39

29:39

Ramesses goes back to school. Luxor Temple is a magnificent monument, in a city full of them. The sanctuary you visit today is, in large part, the work of Ramesses' early reign. New pylons, colossal statues, obelisks, and dedicatory texts provide the testament to the young pharaoh's work. Exploring these, we also get a surprising insight into templ…

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209: Ramesses II vs the Sea Peoples 24:54

7M ago24:54

24:54

Delta raiders. Decades before their famous migrations, the "Sea Peoples" were already active and visible in the eastern Mediterranean; and Ramesses II had his own dealings with these groups. In year 2 of his reign, Ramesses II (Usir-Ma'at-Ra) dealt with a coastal raid by the Sherden, who came from the "islands in the midst" of the sea (which the Eg…

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Thutmose III & Hatshepsut: The New Kingdom Defined with Prof. Aidan Dodson 1:30:54

8M ago1:30:54

1:30:54

The new royal tomb, and how two 18th Dynasty rulers defined the "New Kingdom" as we know it. Prof. Aidan Dodson is a dedicated and prolific scholar, whose research covers many facets of ancient Egyptian history (and even WW1 warships!) His latest book, Thutmose III & Hatshepsut: Pharaohs of Egypt - Their Lives and Afterlives looks at how these two …

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208: Ramesses II The Oracle & The Sphinx 29:00

8M ago29:00

29:00

A death at Karnak, and a lion amongst men. In regnal year 1 (c.1292 BCE), Ramesses II was at Abdju / Abydos. While there, he appointed a new First Priest of Amun (Hem Netjer Tepy en Imen). He chose his candidate by consulting the deity directly, engaging in an oracle with Amun to choose the best option. Shortly after, Ramesses departed Abdju and co…

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207: Ramesses II Shadow of Two Fathers 43:01

8M ago43:01

43:01

Ramesses had a lot to plan for, in his first year of rule (c.1292 BCE). Staying in Waset / Luxor, the new pharaoh began building work on his tomb (KV7) and his memorial temple (The Ramesseum). Archaeological records testify to both of these projects. Then, the King immortalised his late father, the Osiris Sety I, in scenes of worship at Karnak. Fin…

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206: Ramesses II Usir-Ma'at-Ra 47:18

8M ago47:18

47:18

In the annals of Egyptian history there is no one quite like Ramesses II. He is arguably the most famous, or infamous, of Egypt’s pharaohs. His reign would be long (67 years!) and his influence would be incalculable. In this episode, Ramesses "appears" as King, following the death of his father (III Shemu 27). He chooses his royal names (Usir-Ma'at…

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Sety's Borrowed Coffin with Dr. Peter Lacovara 12:02

9M ago12:02

12:02

The coffin of Sety I (now in the NMEC) was probably reworked from an earlier piece, during the reburials in DB320 (the royal cache). But how can we tell? Dr. Peter Lacovara explains. Dr. Lacovara's website https://peterlacovara.com/ Video version available at Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast Video version available on YouTube https://youtu.be/6…

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205: Sety I The Finest Tomb 1:33:13

9M ago1:33:13

1:33:13

Sety’s royal burial. Valley of the Kings tomb 17 (KV17) came to light in October 1817. Discovered by a team of Egyptian workers, employed by Giovanni Belzoni, the tomb is the most beautiful, and one of the largest, in the entire Valley. == Learn more about KV17: 3D Tour by Mused: https://mused.com/tours/926/tomb-of-seti-i-valley-of-the-kings/ Theba…

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Scan Technology Reveals Hidden Chambers at Giza? 10:02

9M ago10:02

10:02

Approach with caution. In March 2025, a group calling itself the “Khafre Research Project” posted visual information online about the pyramid of Khafra at Giza. The group claims that Synthetic Aperture Radar (or SAR) scans at Giza have revealed “structures” beneath the pyramids. Using digital modelling (and some AI), they suggest that Khafra’s pyra…

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Another Royal Tomb! Abydos | Hatshepsut | Bastet Tooth and more discoveries 36:32

9M ago36:32

36:32

News from the Field (2025) Part 2. The past excavation season has been extraordinarily productive. Beyond the new royal tomb of Thutmose II we also have a SECOND royal tomb, at Abydos! The Grand Egyptian Museum is finally opening in full. And archaeological teams throughout the land have uncovered wonderful things. We also remember some prominent s…

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204: Sety's Last Journey 39:01

10M ago39:01

39:01

After a reign of approximately eleven years, the Horus Men-Ma’at-Ra (Sety I) passed to the west. He died in reasonably good health, and studies of his mummy reveal a tall, physically robust individual. So, what killed him? We explore these questions, and the history of his Memorial Temple, where the King’s body lay in state ready for burial… Music …

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Egypt's New Royal Tomb Discovery with Dr. Chris Naunton. What's next? 41:06

10M ago41:06

41:06

News from the Field 2025, Part 1. In February 2025, the breaking news was the discovery of a royal tomb. An archaeological mission working in Luxor are confident they have located the grave of King Thutmose II. The tomb itself was discovered in late 2022, and the team announced it publicly in 2023. I reported on that initial find in the news roundu…

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203: Rise of a Vizier 26:53

10M ago26:53

26:53

Paser, servant of Sety I and Ramesses II (c.1300--1270 BCE). In the later years of his reign, King Sety promoted one of his servants to the highest political/government office. Paser, the Vizier, enters our story... Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPa…

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Ramessid Biographies with Prof. Elizabeth Frood 37:51

11M ago37:51

37:51

Elizabeth Frood is Associate Professor of Egyptology and Director of the Griffith Institute at the University of Oxford, UK. In a lively discussion, Dr. Frood shares her insights into ancient lives and how people living in the non-royal sphere approached their immortality. Statues, texts and graffiti show us the minds of these people and how they d…

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202: A Valley of the Queens & The Womb of Hathor 36:31

11M ago36:31

36:31

The Place of Beauties (Ta-Set-Neferu). In the reigns of Ramesses I and Sety I (c.1304—1292 BCE), the Valley of the Queens finally earned its moniker. Having been a burial ground for royal children and courtiers, the wadi south of Deir el-Medina now began to host ruling women. In the days of Sety I, the Queen Mother Sitra and the Queen Tuya both rec…

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A Memory of Gods with Dr. Tamara Siuda 1:34:48

11M ago1:34:48

1:34:48

Understanding the deities requires us to move beyond inherited preconceptions and prejudices. Fortunately, there are many gods worthy of the effort. From the deified Sphinx Horemakhet, to the meme-lord Medjed, to the deified lover-boy Antinous, the pantheon is rich in variety and personalities. It is a subject that today’s guest, Dr. Tamara L. Siud…

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201: When Hathor Destroyed the World (The Book of the Sky Cow) 51:31

12M ago51:31

51:31

The Book of the Sky Cow. In the waning years of the 18th Dynasty (the reign of Tut’ankhamun) royal artisans began decorating tombs and funerary equipment with a new text. Sometimes known as “The Destruction of Mankind,” the book tells of a distant age, when Ra ruled on earth. But as the sun-god aged, a group of humans perceived his weakness, and pl…

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Dendera: Temple of Time with José M. Barrera 1:12:52

12M ago1:12:52

1:12:52

Hathor's temple at Dendera is one of the best in Egypt. Constructed in the late 1st Millennium BCE (but with roots stretching back to the Old Kingdom), Hathor’s house preserves amazing art, hieroglyphs, and secrets. It is a temple that today’s guest, José M. Barrera, devoted a great deal of energy to documenting. The result is a wonderful study of …