King Khafre, who’s name translates to “the one who is radiant” was the fourth ruler of the Fourth Dynasty of ancient Kemet. Khafre is a significant figure in the history of the Old Kingdom, primarily known for his monumental contributions to Kemetic (Egyptian) architecture and the cultural landscape of his time. His reign, which is estimated to have occurred around 2570 BCE, is most famously ᴀssociated with the construction of the second-largest pyramid at Giza, often referred to as Khafre’s Pyramid, and the enigmatic Great Sphinx, which is believed to bear his likeness.
The Old Kingdom of Kemet, often referred to as the “Age of the Pyramids,” was characterized by the centralized power of pharaonic kings who effectively maintained control over their realm prior to the numerious foreign incursions. This stability can be attributed to several factors, including the moral code of Maat which was the foundation of Kemetic civilization, as well as its strong, centralized administration that the pharaohs established, which facilitated the organization of vast resources and labor for monumental building projects.
The pharaohs, were viewed as divine rulers, who reinforced social cohesion and a sense of national idenтιтy. The natural geographical barriers, such as deserts and the Mediterranean Sea, provided protection from external threats, allowing the kings to focus on internal development and consolidation of power without the constant worry of foreign invasions. This environment of relative peace and stability fostered incredible advancements in art, architecture, and culture, which became hallmarks of the Old Kingdom era.
The Great Pyramid Complex at Giza, was called “Ikhet,” which translates to “Glorious Light.” The indigenous name for “pyramid” is “Mer,” which translates to “place of ascension”. According the the ancient Kemites the place of ascension served as a ritual center for the Per Ankh schools of initiation known as the Mystery Schools to the Greeks. The Kings and Queens chambers were designed to harness resonance frequencies to induce higher states of conciousness. The structure of the pyramid was designed using sacred geometry which allowed them to tap into the energies of the earth and cosmos. The ancients harnessed this enegery for a number of purposes.
It is said that the pharaohs would use the Mer structures which were incased in highly reflective white limestone, capped with solid gold to “Turn night into day” illuminating the surrounding land with a radiance that symbolized their divine connection to the gods. This dazzling display was not merely for show; it served as a beacon of power and spiritual authority, reinforcing the pharaoh’s role as a mediator between the earthly realm and the divine. The reflective surfaces of the pyramid, coupled with its precise orientation to the cardinal points, allowed for an intricate interplay of light and shadow, creating a sacred space where the physical and spiritual realms converged.
Rituals conducted within these hallowed halls were believed to facilitate communication with the celestial bodies, enhancing the spiritual journey of the initiates. The alignment of the pyramid with the stars, particularly Orion, further emphasized its purpose as a gateway to the afterlife, where the pharaohs would ascend to join the gods among the stars. This profound understanding of the universe, combined with advanced architectural techniques, illustrates the remarkable sophistication of the ancient Kemites and their deep reverence for the mysteries of existence.
Khafre was the son of Pharaoh Khufu, the builder of the Great Pyramid, and he continued the legacy of monumental building projects that characterized the Fourth Dynasty. The Great Sphinx, indeginousnly known as Heru-em-akhet which translates to “Heru on the Horizon”, is positioned near Khafre’s pyramid, is another testament to his reign. With the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, the Sphinx symbolizes strength and wisdom, serving as a guardian of the Giza plateau. According to traditional Egyptology the Sphinx is believed to reflect Khafre’s image.
It is believed the original structure had the head of a lion. The lion head theory was a theory developed by Archaeo-Astronomer Thomas Brophy and Robert Bauval who co-wrote the book “Black Genesis”. Robert Boaval is the man responsible for discovering the celestial alignments of the great pyramid complex.
Their research suggested that the Sphinx originally featured a lion’s head, which was aligned with the constellation of Leo. According to Brophy and Bauval, the Sphinx was not merely a guardian of the tombs but also a monumental representation of celestial phenomena. They posited that the original alignment of the Sphinx coincided with the constellation Leo, particularly during the summer solstice around 10,500 BC. This dating suggests that the Sphinx and the Pyramids were constructed during a time when ancient Kemetyu (Egyptians) had a profound understanding of astronomy and its significance in their religious and cultural practices. This theory has sparked much debate among historians and archaeologists, as it challenges the traditional timeline of Nile Valley civilization.
King Khafre’s legacy is characterized by his monumental building projects, most notably the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx, which symbolize his divine authority and the cultural sophistication of the Fourth Dynasty. His reign marked a continuation and evolution of the architectural and artistic traditions of ancient Kemet, during a time of peace and prosperity prior to any foregin incursions. Through his contributions, Khafre solidified the pharaoh’s role as a central figure in both the spiritual and political realms.
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?
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
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 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
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.
Some Ancient Egyptians Were From the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East
Tutankhamun’s Death Mask from Ancient Egypt
In recent times, scientists have made a series of radical breakthroughs about ancient Egyptians by studying the DNA sequences of mummies. Their discoveries suggest many ancient Egyptians were closely related to the people of the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East, a land today covering Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.
These Discoveries Tie In With Some Surviving Egyptian Artworks and Decorated Artefacts
Wall paintings from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, showing the umber skin tone of ancient Egyptians, image courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine
The suggestion that some Egyptians were of Eastern Mediterranean descent ties in with the brown skin colour in many surviving Egyptian artworks and artefacts. These include the wall paintings from Tutankhamun’s tomb, in which figures have skin with an umber tone, and the Book of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ of Hunefer, which features brown-toned skin colours. Of course, these skin colours were also the artistic fashion, and somewhat dictated to by the available pigments to hand.
Egyptians Painted Different Skin Colours For Men and Women
Queen Neferтιтi statue, image courtesy of Art Fix Daily Magazine
It was fashionable in Ancient Egypt to paint women with paler skin, indicating how they spent more time indoors, while men were painted in darker colours to show how they were outside doing manual labour. A pair of limestone statues depicting Prince RaH๏τep and his wife Nofret reveal this marked distinction between the depiction of different skin colours in men and women. Another famous bust of Queen Neferтιтi has been the subject of much debate. Many question its authenticity since the Queen’s skin is so pale, making her look like a white Westerner. But if indeed it is authentic, it is likely her pale skin is, in part, a symbolic reference to the lifestyle of this pampered queen, who probably spent much of her time being adored inside.
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