The Circle Of History

The Ancient Egyptian Tomb of Sheikh Abd el-

Qurna cache holds riches of information for 

archaeologists. Among the mess of the 

mummies, it holds wooden pieces with names 

of Princesses inscribed. Except that’s not what 

they were called.


“King’s Daughter” was the royal title of some 

princesses, as though her identity was built by 

using bricks of paternal power.

Nebetia was one such daughter, born to 

Prince Siatum. He was the son of Thutmose 

IV, who remains preserved in the Valley of the 

Kings.


Her father has scarce documentation. And 

yet, she carries a title derived from him. While 

the endlessly captivating time of Ancient 

Egypt was just to women for their time, this 

nickname for a princess is a subtle head 

turner.


Maybe this concept is relevant even in today’s 

world. Younger siblings scoff at being called 

by their sister’s name because the teacher has 

that child imprinted in their mind and can’t 

help but compare. It’s a fight to stamp your 

individual name onto your work, without it 

being connected to another’s.


And so is the beauty of history. We scavenge 

through the past and end up understanding 

the present. Mere pieces of names scratched 

onto wood is enough to give us insights. Now 

would you believe that this Tomb that helped 

us grasp the past was actually robbed before it 

was found? To historians, however, its 

presence remains a treasure all the same.

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