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Egyptian chariot like Nefertiti's chariot

Nefertiti’s Chariot

Writing historical fiction–even with some fantastical elements thrown in–requires careful use of accurate historical detail. I loved this discussion of Egyptian chariots and the surprisingly abundant evidence for women using chariots. So handy for my fiction!

Ramses exhibit gold mask

Ramses Exhibit, Gold of the Pharaohs

I spent a happy day at the exhibit, Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs. I have some thoughts to share which I hope you’ll enjoy. Read on for Ramses, Egyptian gold, and taking a nuanced view of history and museum exhibits.

Fingerprints and archaeology

Fingerprints and Archaeology

We think of fingerprints as a tool of modern crime detection, but police experts are interpreting ancient fingerprints for archaeologists. I was surprised both by the range of projects and the information they could surmise.

Burning of Troy, Collapse of Late Bronze Age Empires

Collapse of Late Bronze Age Empires

1200 BCE is the general date historians attribute to the fall of the Bronze Age. Empires in flames, widespread destruction of countless cities. Or maybe not. Getting history right is a subtle and complicated process. How much does physical destruction underlie the collapse of empires?

Djoser Pyramid

Egyptian Tomb of “Top Secret” Dignitary

What makes another Egyptian tomb discovery interesting? The importance of the person buried inside certainly enters into it, so here’s the recently begun excavation of a dignitary with access to royal “top secrets.”

Book cover image The Hidden Palace

Review of The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker

With The Hidden Palace, follow-up to her historical fantasy The Golem and the Jinni, Wecker returned with a layered novel of many complex characters, including even richer developments of the golem and jinni, completely intriguing magical beings. Here’s my review of this enticing book.

Cleopatra from 1917 movie

Cleopatra’s Tomb: Archaeological Wishful Thinking?

The location of Cleopatra’s tomb is a longstanding mystery. Is a determined archaeologist narrowing in on uncovering this famed secret or should she appreciate a newly uncovered engineering marvel for its own sake?

Golden mask, part of King Tutankhammun's burial treasure

The Burial Treasures of King Tutankhamun

In this 100th year since the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, here’s a good answer to that burning question, “Why did Tut have so much more treasure than any of the other Pharaohs?” It’s way beyond escaping the usual plundering.