How do we know what we know about ancient Egypt?

Question

How do we know so much about ancient Egypt? What are our sources?

Answer 1

The Egyptian scribes wrote all kinds of texts - some are religious formulas that remain practically unchanged for 3,000 years, others are love poems and personal letters, some are accounts of battles, treaties with foreign powers, some are medicinal recipes, others are satyrical jibes at those in power. There is so much information in these written texts that we know almost all there is to know about the people of ancient Egypt; how they were taught, what they thought and dreamed about, how they dressed, prayed and loved.

Few other civilisations have left such a rich legacy.

Answer 2

One of the reasons is highly unlikely at first glance, but in fact it turns out to be quite true, and that is the weather. It is hot and dry in Egypt, mummification was practised and natural mummies occured as well, thanks to the dessicating effect of the desert sand and winds.
Along with the number of mummies, there are tons of artifacts from the various tombs, along with scenic depictions and wall murals showing everyday life, along with all the implements and utensils included for the use of the deceased in the afterlife. So this gave us a very complete notion of how they lived.
Archaeologists have had a field day in Egypt and, amazingly, there are still new discoveries being made every day.

Answer 3

Heiroglyphics and the writings of civilizations that were near Egypt or traded with them. Greeks, Hutterites, Assyrians, Jews, Babylonians...all spoke of Egypt. It's just a matter of seeing that say...a heiroglyph suggests a pharaoh, a greek philosopher writes about that pharaoh's accomplishments...and so might the others. With so many voices from so many different cultures saying the same thing, it's hard to refute such evidence.

Answer 4

There is a large written record dating from that time, both by the Egyptians themselves, and others from that time (Greeks, Romans) who also documented the history of Egypt.

Answer 5

um.... they have alot of artifacts and preserved things from that time period such as mummies and the jewels. so i guess they get some of their information from stuff like that.