Djoser, also spelled Zoser, ((also known as Netjerikhet) was the second King of the 3rd Dynasty (c. 2650–c. 2575 BCE) of ancient Kemet, who undertook the construction of the earliest important stone building in Kemet. His reign, which probably lasted 19 years, was marked by great technological innovation in the use of stone architecture. His minister, ImH๏τep, a talented architect and physician, was himself deified in later periods.

Very little is known of Djoser’s youth or family life. His name Netjerikhet means “divine of body” and ‘Djoser’ is derived from the Djed symbol of stability. He succeeded his father, Khasekhemwy, the last king of the Second Dynasty, and his mother was the queen Nimaathap. His wife was Hetephernebti who was probably his half-sister. Although it was common for the pharaoh to have a queen and lesser wives, Djoser took no other women besides Hetephernebti.

The funerary complex of King Djoser at Saqqara, with its Step Pyramid, is the most extraordinary architectural complex of the Old Kingdom. Its architect was worlds first genius, the Great ImH๏τep who would be deified by the Greeks 2,500 years later. Hippocrates would study in Memphis at the Temple of ImH๏τep. The Greeks in turn saw in him their healing god Asclepius. In the third century B.C.E. the Hellenistic historian Manetho repeated the traditional belief that ImH๏τep had invented the art of building in stone during Djoser’s reign.

In 1926, in a dump south of the entrance colonnade at the complex, the Antiquities Service found a statue base and fragments of a statue of King Djoser on which is engraved, next to the king’s Heru (Horus) name, that of ImH๏τep with the following тιтles: “Seal Bearer of the king of Lower Kemet, first after the king of Upper Kemet, Administrator of the Grand Palace, hereditary noble, high priest of Heliopolis, ImH๏τep, builder and sculptor. …” The dedication allows this godlike man to step out of legend and ᴀssume his place in history.

Were Ancient Egyptians Black? Let’s Look at the Evidence

Ancient Egyptians were sophisticated and culturally rich, but how much do we know about what they really looked like?

maiherpri papyrus black egyptian king tut mask

Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating periods in our human history, and it has been studied for thousands of years. Although we have many surviving artefacts from this time period, there is still much speculation about what Ancient Egyptians actually looked like. In Western drama productions Egyptians are often portrayed with white or brown skin. But is this actually accurate? Or were ancient Egyptians black? Let’s look into the history of Ancient Egypt to find out more.

Ancient Egyptians Were Likely To Be Ethnically Diverse

Ancient Egyptian portraits MEN WOMEN — Egyptian mummy portraits, 1st c. B.C.E. – 1st c. C.E., image courtesy of People of Ar

Historical evidence from Egyptian texts, artworks and mummies suggests ancient Egypt was always ethnically diverse, so could not be classed as belonging to any one racial category. But it is worth noting that the skin-colour distinctions we have today didn’t exist in ancient Egypt. Instead, they simply classified themselves by the regions where they lived. Scholarly research suggests there were many different skin colours across Egypt, including what we now call white, brown and black. But this is still a subject of much debate. Many believe skin colours varied between different regions of Egypt, such as Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt and Nubia. Because Ancient Egyptians were around for about 3,000 years, it is also highly likely that changes in ethnicity took place throughout this long timespan.

Evidence Reveals There Were Many Black Ancient Egyptians

Kemet people ancient Egypt — Kemet people of Ancient Egypt, image courtesy of The African History

Some historians, archeologists and writers over the years have argued that ancient Egypt was a predominantly black civilization, populated by Sub-Saharan Africans. Their research shows how ancient Egyptians once called the land of Egypt and the entire African continent Kemet, meaning “land of the black people.” Some scholars even argue that all black people are descended from ancient Egypt – Michael Jackson’s 1991 music video for Remember the Time is one of the most popular and widespread allusions to this interpretation of history.

Prominent Black Ancient Egyptians

Maiherpri Egyptian papyrus — Papyrus of Maiherpri revealing his dark hair and skin tone, image courtesy of the Egypt Museum

There is much evidence showing how ancient Egypt was ruled and governed by various prominent black leaders. One is the powerful nobleman Maiherpri, who was alive during the reign of Thutmose IV. After his death he was buried in the Valley of the Kings. We know of his skin colour from his mummy and from illustrated manuscripts, in which he appears darker skinned than the more widely circulated images of Egyptians. It is believed he may be Nubian or of Nubian descent. Queen Ahmose-Nefertari is also often identified as black, and according to contemporary Egyptologist Sigrid Hodel-Hoenes, her skin colour was worshipped because it echoed the “colour of both the fertile earth and the netherworld and death.” It is thought Lady Rai, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Nefertari was also black. Her mummy is in remarkably good condition and reveals her dark skin and braided hair.