Secrets of Gold in Pharaonic Egypt

By: Ali Abu-Dashish, Norhan Mahmoud

CAIRO, Mar. 29 (SEE)- Think of Pharaohs; Think of Gold. A mystifying relation connecting that age-old civilization and this precious metal. So, could it be the lustrous shine of gold what lent ancient Egypt its magical soul?

“Ancient Egyptians were the world’s foremost  gold miners,” said Dr. Hussein Abdel-Bassir, director of Antiquities Museum at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. “Almost 125 augurs were discovered in the southern desert, Red Sea region and Nubia.”

“Gold is like dust in your lands, so send me some,” one Near East Monarch said to King Amenhotep.

Likewise, The golden papyrus dating to King Seti I’s era, showcased at Italy’s Torino museum, pinpoints to the widespread mines in the eastern desert.

“In fact, all the archaeological discoveries that followed proves the Ancient Egyptians’ extensive involvement in mining, extraction from quartz as well as manufacturing.”

Dr. Bassir added that graffiti embellishing tombs’ walls depicted how workers used to encircle pots filled with melting gold, “then mixture was poured into moulds to be used for makings jewelry.”

Initially, pharaohs opted for anvils and pressure tools to hammer, shape and mould their masterpieces.

“Interestingly, The dwarves’ fingertips were behind the precision of crafting.”

It was not only about jewelry, gold was chiseled into astounding sculptures, “there is a golden dome inside the tomb of Queen Hutp Haras, the mother of King Khufu and the wife of King Senefru.”

“King Tutankhamun’s 11kg mask and his 110.5 kg coffin are pure gold.”

“In ancient Egypt, gold industry was linked to the doctrine of eternity, as its color does not change over time,” added Bassir. “Thus, it was associated with funerary rituals and rites.”

Although Egypt’s land was rich in gold, yet it was exclusively accommodated to royals and elites.

“Elegant jewels were made from Tanis (Sun Stone), such as; the golden mask of King Psusennes I of the Twenty-first Dynasty, Princess Sat Hathor Yunt’s golden tiara and the bracelets of Queen Hattab of the Fourth Dynasty.