18 Ancient Tombs Unearthed Near Alexandria Reveal How Egyptian and Hellenistic Cultures Blended - GreekReporter.com

https://greekreporter.com/2026/07/07/ancient-tombs-egypt-alexandria-hellenistic/

18 Ancient Tombs Unearthed Near Alexandria Reveal How Egyptian and Hellenistic Cultures Blended

By Nisha Zahid

July 7, 2026

Human skeletal remains uncovered during excavations at Marina El Alamein. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered 18 ancient tombs, a granite sarcophagus and dozens of rare burial objects at Marina El Alamein, offering new insight into the city’s role as a cultural crossroads between ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean world.

The discovery was made by an Egyptian archaeological mission working at the ancient city on Egypt’s northwestern Mediterranean coast. Excavations also uncovered surface burials, coffins and a wide range of archaeological objects.

The team also revealed previously unknown sections of the ancient city, including additional architectural remains. With the latest discoveries, the total number of tombs uncovered at Marina El Alamein since the site was first discovered in 1986 has reached 44.

Sealed burials preserve ancient traditions

One of the newly discovered tombs at Marina El Alamein. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the cemetery includes 11 rock-cut tombs, known as hypogea, with an average depth of about eight meters (26 feet), along with seven limestone surface tombs.

The vertical shaft leading into one of the rock-cut hypogea. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Several burial chambers remained sealed beneath large stone slabs since ancient times. Archaeologists also uncovered surface burials surrounding the tombs, reflecting the city’s social diversity. The excavation further revealed a water well that was later converted into a burial site, showing that ancient Egyptian funerary traditions continued during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

Artifacts reveal cultural exchange

Decorated oil lamps and other artifacts. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Researchers recovered a large collection of artifacts, including complete and nearly complete pottery vessels, amphorae, oil lamps, plates, limestone altars, stone basins, and architectural elements linked to the tombs.

Dr. Hisham Hussein, head of the Central Administration for Lower Egypt Antiquities, said one of the most significant discoveries was a limestone offering altar with a facade resembling the ancient Egyptian “false door.”

Glass tear bottles recovered from the cemetery. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The team also uncovered an unfinished marble statue believed to depict the goddess Aphrodite, a limestone funerary stele showing a seated man holding a bird, and several glass tear bottles used in burial rituals.

A limestone funerary stele depicting a seated figure. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The discoveries reflect the blending of Egyptian and Hellenistic artistic and religious traditions that shaped life in Marina El Alamein.

Granite sarcophagus and golden tongues stand out

A granite sarcophagus remains sealed inside one of the newly excavated tombs. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Dr. Iman Abdel Khalek, head of the archaeological mission, said archaeologists uncovered a 2.5-meter-long (8.2-foot) granite sarcophagus with its original lid still sealed. Human skeletal remains found inside are now undergoing scientific analysis.

Nearby, the team discovered fragments of a plaster sphinx statue, providing further evidence that Egyptian religious and artistic influences remained strong during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Fragments of a plaster sphinx statue. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Another major discovery was a group of 24 gold pieces placed inside the mouths of some of the deceased. Known as “golden tongues,” the objects were linked to beliefs about the afterlife. One piece was crafted in the shape of the “Eye of Horus,” one of the best-known protective symbols in ancient Egyptian belief.

Gold “tongues” and an Eye of Horus-shaped gold piece. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Ancient city linked Egypt and the Mediterranean

Marina El Alamein lies about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Alexandria and is widely believed to be the ancient city of Leukaspis, mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabo. The city flourished from the Hellenistic period through the Byzantine era and reached its peak during the first three centuries A.D. as an important commercial and urban center.

Since its discovery in 1986, excavations have revealed one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient coastal cities. Archaeologists have uncovered a planned street network, homes, public buildings, a harbor, commercial districts, and extensive cemeteries.

Site prepares to welcome visitors

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, said the discoveries will help researchers better understand the cultural identity of Marina El Alamein’s ancient residents and the city’s role in connecting Egypt with the Mediterranean world.

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy said redevelopment plans include a visitor center, routes for electric vehicles and pedestrians, a museum storage facility, an administrative building and an open-air theater. The project is expected to be completed during the first half of next year, helping transform Marina El Alamein into a major archaeological and cultural tourism destination.

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Egypt opens the spectacular, 3,400 year old tomb of one of its greatest pharaohs - Futura-Sciences

https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/egypt-just-reopened-the-3400-year-old-tomb-of-one-of-its-greatest-pharaohs-after-20-years_35232/

Egypt opens the spectacular, 3,400 year old tomb of one of its greatest pharaohs

Category : History

July 6, 2026

4 min

Egypt just reopened the 3,400-year-old tomb of one of its greatest pharaohs after 20 years © fredmantel

By Pia Gray

Visitors can now descend 46 feet underground into the newly reopened tomb of Amenhotep III, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful rulers. Closed to the public for over two decades, the 3,400-year-old site officially reopened just ahead of the historic debut of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

A king who ruled at Egypt’s peak

Amenhotep III ascended the throne as a teenager and ruled for nearly 38 years, from around 1390 to 1350 BCE, during the height of the 18th Dynasty. His reign left behind temples, palaces, and statues that historians still study today. Among these monuments are the Colossi of Memnon near Luxor, a pair of large stone figures that once guarded his mortuary temple.

READ ALSOWhen Paris Froze: How the City Survived a Shocking –24°C Winter Day→

The official reopening of the site took place on October 4, 2025, strategically timed just weeks ahead of the long awaited debut of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids on November 1, 2025.

French engineers Prosper Jollois and Édouard de Villiers du Terrage first located the tomb in 1799 during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. British archaeologist Howard Carter later conducted a full excavation in 1915. By then, however, looters had stripped the chamber bare centuries earlier.

“The tomb was discovered in 1799, then rediscovered in 1915. It was found empty, having been looted before.”

— Mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, during the launch. 

 

The restoration was carried out in three meticulous phases.
© TRT Afrika and agencies

What survived the looting

Even without its original treasures, the tomb still shows remarkable splendor. Vibrant, weathered paintings line the walls alongside sacred hieroglyphs drawn from the Book of the Dead. These texts were intended to guide the pharaoh safely into the afterlife.

“The tomb is a fascinating wonder.”

— Ismail.

“You can still see the frame of the stolen sarcophagus box, with its lid preserved in the place where it once rested.”

The restoration ran in three distinct phases over more than 20 years, with teams working from 2001 to 2004, 2010 to 2012, and 2023 to 2024. A collaboration of Egyptian, Japanese, and international teams led the effort. They focused on cleaning, conservation, and repairing the damaged wall paintings, which depict Amenhotep III alongside his royal consort, Queen Tiye.

“Two hundred and sixty representatives over these 20 years — researchers specialized in conservation, technicians with particular skills. I think this is a special achievement,” said Nuria Sanz, UNESCO‘s regional director in Egypt.

 

Egyptian Antiquities
© TRT Afrika and agencies

Inside the burial complex

A 36 meter (118 foot) passage slopes downward into a network of three connected chambers. One belonged to the king, while the other two belonged to his queens, Tiye and Sitamun. The wall scenes show Amenhotep III standing among the gods, surrounded by ritual inscriptions invoking eternal life. Unlike some other tombs in the valley, this one was never fully decorated.

The pharaoh’s mummy no longer rests inside the complex. Ancient priests long ago moved it to the tomb of his grandfather, Amenhotep II, for protection. Today, it is displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo alongside 16 other royal mummies.

Tourism looks to a bigger opening

Egypt’s tourism ministry is counting on this addition to the Valley of the Kings, combined with the active first year of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, to continually draw international visitors.

“We are continuing to grow at a rate of 20 percent,” said Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities, regarding the seasonal trajectory.

The tomb’s availability comes at a critical moment as the country works to build steady tourism revenue. Unlike a new discovery, this initiative relies on careful restoration work to offer travelers a direct link to Egypt’s golden age.

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https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/07/lost-byzantine-city-rediscovered-in-egypts-dakhla-oasis/158514

Image Credit : Supreme Council of Antiquities

By: Mark Milligan

Date:

July 3, 2026

Archaeology

Lost Byzantine city rediscovered in Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis

Archaeologists have unearthed a well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in the Dakhla Oasis, offering new insights into urban life in Egypt during the fourth and fifth centuries AD.

The settlement, excavated at the Ain Al-Sabil archaeological site in the New Valley Governorate by a mission from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, has a well-organized street network, a Christian basilica, two watchtowers, a fortified structure and numerous mud-brick houses.

According to archaeologists, the city was built around broad north-south streets intersected by east-west roads, creating open public spaces. At its centre is a fourth-century Christian basilica, overlooking one of the city’s main streets, which is a key focal point as a religious and community centre.

The excavation also revealed domestic infrastructure such as bread ovens, kitchens and grain-grinding installations, providing a detailed picture of everyday life. The most notable buildings are the home of a priest named Tisos and another of Tabibos, which the researchers think may have been an early church before the basilica was built.

Image Credit : Supreme Council of Antiquities

One of the most important finds is nearly 200 ostraca—pottery fragments used as writing surfaces inscribed in Coptic and Greek. Commercial contracts, business transactions and personal correspondence are all contained in those texts, and they provide rare evidence of the city’s economic and social organization.

Researchers also found a large collection of well-preserved bronze coins with portraits of Byzantine emperors and gold coins dating back to Constantius II’s reign, helping to establish the occupation chronology of the site.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities said the discovery represents one of the most significant Byzantine settlements found in Egypt’s Western Desert, and is evidence of life in the Dakhla Oasis during a key time in the history of the country.

Sources : Supreme Council of Antiquities

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The eccentric pharaoh and the ‘Wikileaks of the Bronze Age’ | National Geographic

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/stones-bones-eccentric-pharaoh-wikileaks-bronze-age

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Ancient Egyptian settlement from the Second Intermediate Period with tombs and silos found at Tell el-Ku'a | Archaeology News Online Magazine

https://archaeologymag.com/2026/07/egyptian-settlement-with-tombs-and-silos-at-tell-el-kua/

Ancient Egyptian settlement from the Second Intermediate Period with tombs and silos found at Tell el-Ku’a

by Dario Radley

July 1, 2026

Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a large settlement from the Second Intermediate Period at Tell el-Ku’a in Egypt’s eastern Nile Delta. The site includes tombs, homes, storage areas, ovens, and work spaces. Together, these finds offer a rare look at daily life during a time of political change.

Excavations at the site. Credit: Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The excavation took place at Tell el-Ku’a in the Wadi Tumilat corridor of Ismailia Governorate. This route linked the eastern Delta with Egypt’s eastern border and served as a major trade and travel route. The new finds help explain how people lived as Egypt moved from Hyksos rule into the early New Kingdom.

Archaeologists uncovered ten mudbrick tombs dating to the Fifteenth Dynasty. The tombs differ in size and design. Some follow the rectangular mastaba style. Others include decorated facades and more detailed building features.

Near the cemetery, the team found a planned residential area measuring about 30 by 60 meters. A mudbrick wall about 1.5 meters thick surrounded the settlement. Inside were halls, rooms of different sizes, and an orderly street plan. East of the homes, archaeologists found ovens and storage silos used for food and other supplies.

One of the tombs uncovered at Tell el-Ku’a. Credit: Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The layout shows a well-planned community where people lived, worked, stored goods, and buried their dead in one place. The site paints a clear picture of a self-supporting settlement with homes, workshops, storage areas, and burial grounds.

Excavations produced many artifacts, including scarabs, bronze tools, pottery vessels, alabaster kohl containers, and Tell el-Yahudiya flasks, a pottery type linked with the Second Intermediate Period. Some pottery pieces carry production marks and seals. These marks point to active trade and suggest Tell el-Ku’a served as a trading and distribution center.

Human remains found at the site add more detail to the story. Early study shows adults between 25 and 40 years old. Burial positions differ from one grave to another, showing several burial customs. Archaeologists also found large amounts of animal bones, likely left from meals and food offerings placed with the dead.

General view of the site, where archaeologists uncovered tombs, homes, silos, and production areas. Credit: Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

One find stood out from the rest. Several people were buried outside the mudbrick tombs. Some lay in a crouched position, a burial style never found before at Tell el-Ku’a. Researchers plan further study to learn why these people received different treatment.

Pottery from the settlement shows heavy daily use. Tableware appears most often, followed by cooking pots. These finds give a simple picture of food preparation and daily household life.

Evidence shows people lived at Tell el-Ku’a until the middle of the Eighteenth Dynasty. The long period of use covers the shift from Hyksos control to the rise of the New Kingdom. This makes the site an important record of life during one of ancient Egypt’s biggest political changes.

Tell el-Ku’a covers about 55 feddans on the southern edge of the Wadi Tumilat corridor. Earlier excavations found buildings and tombs from the same period. The latest work adds a fuller picture of a busy settlement whose people took part in trade, local production, and everyday life for many generations.

More information: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

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Burials discovery in Minya sheds new light on Ancient Egyptian funerary architecture - Ancient Egypt - Antiquities - Ahram Online

https://english.ahram.org.eg/UI/Front/Inner.aspx?NewsContentID=571225

Burials discovery in Minya sheds new light on Ancient Egyptian funerary architecture

Nevine El-Aref , Saturday 20 Jun 2026

A new archaeological discovery at Gabal El- Teir in Minya Governorate is offering fresh insights into the evolution of funerary architecture in ancient Egypt, following the unearthing of two Early Dynastic tombs alongside burials dating to the Predynastic and Late Periods.

 

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy described the find as a significant because it provides important evidence for tracing the development of funerary architecture across different historical periods.

The first early Dynastic tomb represents a rare architectural model distinguished by its unique geometric design, while the second tomb closely mirrors it in layout and is notably better preserved.

Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), explained that preliminary studies show similarities between the newly discovered tombs and the well-known tomb of King Den in Abydos.

This resemblance underscores the archaeological importance of the Gabal El-Teir site and reinforces its status as a major necropolis used continuously from the Predynastic through to the Late Period.

He added that the first tomb features a distinctive architectural approach based on the gradual variation in wall thickness, thicker at the base and tapering toward the top.

Such a design may represent an early stage in the evolution of engineering concepts that eventually led to the construction of the step pyramids and later, the true pyramids.

He also indicated that the tomb appears to have been subjected to quarrying activities in later periods to extract stone blocks.

Despite this, the remaining sections have preserved valuable evidence of ancient construction techniques, including oxide lines that reveal precise stone-cutting methods, as well as large wooden supports used to reinforce the walls.

 Some of these supports extend along the entire wall length, while others appear as separate straight segments.

The second tomb, located further south, is nearly identical in architectural design but was not exposed to quarrying, which has helped preserve its structural elements more effectively.

Mohamed Abdel Badei, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector revealed that the mission also uncovered part of a Predynastic cemetery.

The burials were found in a crouched position and wrapped in remnants of decomposed plant matting, with some accompanied by black-topped pottery vessels dating to the Naqada II and III periods.

In addition, a number of individual and collective burials were discovered, some within the remains of deteriorated wooden coffins believed to date to the Late Period. These findings confirm the long-term use of the site as a burial ground across successive historical eras.

Excavations are ongoing at Gabal El-Teir, with archaeologists expecting further discoveries that will continue to illuminate the site’s historical and cultural significance.

Short link:

 

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5,000-year-old tombs found in Minya rewrite the origins of Egyptian pyramid architecture | Archaeology News Online Magazine

https://archaeologymag.com/2026/06/5000-year-old-tombs-in-egypt-origins-of-pyramids/

5,000-year-old tombs found in Minya rewrite the origins of Egyptian pyramid architecture

by Dario Radley

June 21, 2026

Archaeologists working at Jabal al-Tayr in Egypt’s Minya Governorate have uncovered two Early Dynastic tombs along with burials dating from the Predynastic and Late Periods. The finds provide new evidence about how ancient Egyptian funerary architecture developed during the centuries before pyramids appeared on the landscape.

View of the structures uncovered at Jabal al-Tayr in Minya, Egypt. Credit: Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The excavation was carried out by an Egyptian mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The site, located on the eastern bank of the Nile, appears to have served as a burial ground for thousands of years. Evidence from several different eras shows people continued using the area from the Predynastic period through the Late Period of ancient Egyptian history.

Researchers say the two tombs are among the most important parts of the find. Early studies show strong similarities between their design and the tomb of King Den at Abydos, one of the best-known rulers of Egypt’s First Dynasty. Those similarities suggest builders in different regions shared architectural ideas during the early stages of Egyptian state formation.

The first tomb stands out because of the way its walls were built. The walls are thicker at the bottom and gradually become thinner toward the top. Archaeologists believe this design reflects an early engineering approach aimed at improving stability. Similar principles later appeared in larger monuments, including step pyramids and the true pyramids built centuries afterward.

View of the structures uncovered at Jabal al-Tayr in Minya, Egypt. Credit: Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Although parts of the first tomb were damaged when stone blocks were removed for reuse in later periods, important details survived. Excavators found traces of oxide lines on stone surfaces, evidence linked to ancient cutting and extraction techniques. Large wooden supports were also built into the structure. Some extended across the full length of the walls, while others were installed as separate reinforcing sections. These remains provide rare information about construction methods used more than 5,000 years ago.

The second tomb lies south of the first and follows almost the same architectural plan. Unlike the neighboring structure, though, stone robbers left much of the building untouched. Because of its better state of preservation, archaeologists have been able to study original features in greater detail.

Finds from the necropolis. Credit: Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The team also uncovered part of a Predynastic cemetery. Several individuals were buried in a crouched position and wrapped in plant mats that have largely decomposed. Black-topped pottery vessels found beside some of the burials date to the Naqada II and Naqada III periods, which preceded the unification of Egypt.

Additional burials belong to the Late Period. Archaeologists identified both individual and collective graves, including some containing the remains of wooden coffins. These finds show the cemetery remained in use long after the Early Dynastic tombs were constructed.

Taken together, the discoveries paint a picture of a burial landscape used across multiple phases of Egyptian history. The site preserves evidence of changing funerary practices, architectural ideas, and construction techniques spanning several millennia. Excavations at Jabal al-Tayr are continuing, and archaeologists expect further finds from a location that still holds many unanswered questions about ancient Egypt’s earliest builders.

More information: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

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https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/06/new-architectural-elements-of-ancient-temple-uncovered-in-egypts-bahariya-oasis/158400

Image Credit : Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

By: Mark Milligan

Date:

June 19, 2026

Archaeology

New architectural elements of ancient temple uncovered in Egypt’s Bahariya Oasis

Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered new architectural remains of an ancient temple dating to the 26th Dynasty at the Old Palace archaeological site in the village of Al-Qasr within the Bahariya Oasis, providing fresh insights into the region’s religious and administrative importance during the Late Period of ancient Egypt.

The discovery was made by an Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities during the latest excavation season at the site, which has been under investigation since 2014.

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, said the discoveries enhance understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation and reinforce Egypt’s status as a leading destination for cultural tourism.

According to archaeologists, the latest excavations revealed additional architectural elements of the temple, including the remains of a sandstone structure and several carved stone blocks bearing the names and royal titles of Psamtik I, who ruled during the 26th Dynasty.

Dr Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the finds are helping researchers reconstruct the temple’s original layout and better understand its development through time. He described the discovery as further evidence of the historical significance of the Old Palace site, which served as an important religious and administrative centre for centuries.

Excavations have shown that construction of the temple began during the reign of Psamtik I and continued under his successors, including Apries and Amasis II.

One of the most important discoveries at the site is a large hypostyle hall containing 16 sandstone columns, along with a series of adjoining rooms and chambers. Archaeologists also uncovered decorated reliefs and hieroglyphic inscriptions mentioning several Egyptian deities, including Amun, Mut and Khonsu.

Researchers also recovered a stone stela dating to the reign of Amenhotep II, suggesting that the Bahariya Oasis maintained close ties with the Egyptian state as early as the New Kingdom period. Additional artefacts from the reign of Ramesses II indicate that religious and settlement activity at the site predates the construction of the 26th Dynasty temple.

Previous excavation seasons yielded a number of significant finds, including a metal seal that revealed the temple’s ancient name, “Ip-Set”, meaning “Headquarters of the Heart”. Archaeologists also uncovered bronze statues and amulets associated with the gods Osiris and Ra-Horakhty, as well as the head of a statue believed to represent a senior priest or official connected to the oasis.

Evidence recovered from the site further demonstrates that it remained occupied during the Greek and Roman periods and into the fourth and fifth centuries AD. Archaeologists found Coptic and Latin inscriptions, together with industrial installations, storage facilities and basins used in the production of wine and oils.

The Old Palace site is considered one of the most important archaeological locations in the Bahariya Oasis, having served as the region’s capital during the Late Period. Researchers believe the latest discoveries will contribute significantly to understanding the oasis’s role within ancient Egypt and its continued importance through successive historical eras.

Sources : Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

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More than monuments: Christian Langer uncovers the Egypt that time forgot - UGA Research News

https://research.uga.edu/news/more-than-monuments-christian-langer-uncovers-the-egypt-that-time-forgot/

More than monuments: Christian Langer uncovers the Egypt that time forgot

By Olivia Randall

Entering his third year at the University of Georgia, Christian Langer is the only Egyptologist in Franklin College’s Classics Department. His work revolves around lesser-told stories from ancient Egypt, particularly the experiences of people affected by forced migration, labor, and the building of empire.(Photo by David Mitchell)

Christian Langer has been fascinated with ancient Egypt since he was 3 years old. His parents read to him all manner of books cultural and scientific, and as time went on, he became captivated by stories of millennia-old pharaohs and mummies.

So when he decided to study Egyptology in college, it was a shock for him to learn there was much more to the Land of Pyramids than, well, pyramids.

“I think people don’t have an understanding that all these topics like Tutankhamun, gold, tombs, temples, pyramids, etc.—that is only a tiny fraction of what Egyptologists are doing,” said Langer, an assistant professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Classics. “It’s less about the consumption or discussion of these grand discoveries and grand monuments and, really, largely painstakingly learning how to translate Egyptian sources.”

Langer’s research focuses on the effects of forced migration and deportation in ancient Egypt during the late Bronze Age, expanding beyond monuments and the elite to focus instead on the lives of people history often leaves out.

A stereotypical introduction

Langer grew up in Germany, where much of the history taught in schools focused on some of the darker parts of the country’s history: World War II, the Cold War, and the like.

He had a great interest in global history, however, particularly stories of ancient people who built societies and structures that still stand today.

“My voyage starts pretty much in the stereotypical way. As a kid, I had an early exposure to ancient Egyptian themes or ancient Egyptian contents in pop culture and animated series, like ‘DuckTales,’ for instance, which frequently visited ancient Egyptian aesthetics in one way or another,” he said.

When Langer went to college, he set out to be a lawyer, but that didn’t satisfy him intellectually. So, he began to look back at what drew his interest when he was in school.

“The University of Marburg in central Germany just so happened to still have an Egyptological institute, and that’s how it all started,” Langer said. “I started studying Egyptology, and I stuck with it.”

One of the first things Langer learned was that the field is less about exploring ancient ruins and more about learning a new language and writing system. The Egyptians kept very detailed records, so knowledge of ancient language and writing systems is vital to study. The complexity of the language, Langer reasoned, is why many students are intimidated by the field.

As his studies continued, Langer was surprised to learn how much of ancient Egypt was still unknown.

“There is very little we know for certain,” he said. “And so much left to explore.”

Uncovering lost voices

One of Langer’s central projects examines a side of ancient Egypt that rarely appears in popular imagination: the state’s use of forced migration, and the role deported people played in building Egyptian power.

When Langer entered the field, little research had been done on Egypt’s forced migration practices during the Late Bronze Age, which coincided with Egypt’s New Kingdom. Between the years 1500 and 1000 B.C.E., Egypt expanded southward into a region then known as Nubia, as well as along the Mediterranean coast toward the Levant.

“This expansion is accompanied by the forced removal or deportation of people from these locations back into Egypt,” he said. “These people were put in service of Egyptian temples, where they worked in agriculture, crafts, textile production, cattle herding, and other physically demanding labor.”

While many people imagine Egyptology is about finding lost tombs and relics, much of Langer's work involves translating Egyptian sources. In this picture from 2014, Langer gets a close-up look at ruins in Tanis, Egypt, located in the Eastern Nile Delta. (Photo provided by Langer)

Some also became slaves to Egypt’s elite, who put them to work on their private estates or sold them. Langer emphasizes that this was not incidental, but structurally important to Egypt’s growing empire. The neighboring societies were weakened by these expansions and deportations, while Egypt became wealthier and even more powerful.

This project was especially important to Langer for two reasons. First, few scholars had examined forced migration in ancient history beyond the Assyrian Empire’s deportations after 1000 B.C.E. In fact, Langer’s research proved that the systematic practice of forced migration was much older than that.

His other goal was to recover the voices of these forced migrants, three millennia later.

“These are people largely left out of the story,” he said. “The affected people, the deportees, servants, slaves, however you want to call them, are invisible. They have no voice of their own, and you need to reconstruct it indirectly.”

This reflects Langer’s broader argument that most popular understandings of ancient Egypt focus only on elites. Imperial records and other documents tended to be kept for the elite; because of this, only the perspective of Egypt’s ruling class has endured.

“These temples had vast landholdings where deportees and other workers were cultivating the fields, harvesting orchards, taking care of cattle, or preparing textiles,” he said. “A papyrus dated around 1150 B.C.E. listed temple landholdings and donations across the country that added up to a workforce of more than 100,000.”

A global research perspective

Langer frames himself as a researcher shaped by four different academic systems.

He earned his doctorate from Freie Universität Berlin but spent a year studying at University College London’s Institute of Archaeology.

Later, he moved to Beijing, China, to work as a postdoctoral fellow at Peking University’s School of Arts. In 2024, Langer found a new home in Franklin College’s classics department.

“Your perspective on a research subject depends on your point of view,” he said. “Your approach might also differ depending on the academic system you’re moving in. Not every academic system is equally interested in the same research problems.”

Langer trained in four different countries’ academic systems, giving him a very global perspective while approaching his subject. In this 2025 photo, Langer analyzes a relic at the University College London’s Petrie Museum of Egyptology. (Photo courtesy of Langer)

These international experiences have given Langer a more “global understanding of research questions,” he said. While studying in London, he found many of the researchers there approached Egyptology with a more theoretical perspective, while Germany let the “source material speak for itself.” In China, scholars often approached the material through questions about China’s own history.

Langer would like to broaden the field of Egyptology, examining ancient Egypt through a more global lens. One advantage of the U.S. academic system, he said, is that Egyptology is already embedded in fields like history and classics.

To this end, his latest research project revolves around the adoption of the originally Egyptian form of the obelisk in modern China. Rather than treating the obelisk as a static ancient symbol, Langer is interested in how it has been adapted and transformed in modern China, while also comparing it to how it is viewed in more Western cultures.

“If you look at Washington D.C., you have the Washington Monument. It’s a modern obelisk, the biggest obelisk on earth, and serves as a memorial for George Washington,” he said. “While in China, these obelisks take on a different role as martyrs’ monuments, where they are tied to darker subject matter, such as war and violence. They became especially popular in the 19^th and 20^th centuries to signify the collapse of the monarchy in China, civil war, or Japanese invasion during World War II.

“What keeps me going,” he said, “is this untapped potential to develop new perspectives and branch out, to make things, I hope, more meaningful in a way that helps create an Egyptology that reflects the very global nature of the early 21st century.”

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