.. maybe not.

But if King Tut really did have important data then where better to store it than on an ancient Egyptian usb memory drive?

With a 2 gb capacity, these flash drives may just be THE christmas present for the Egyptologist who has everything!

The sphynx and Egyptian themed drives are available for $22 from USB Geek

Below is the period from 3032 B.C. through to around 330 B.C. when Alexander the Great arrived, broken down by dynasty and pharoah -

Archaic Period (3032 - 2707 BC)

Dynasty 1

Menes
Djer
Merneith
Djet
Den
Anedjib
Semerkhet
Qa’a
Sneferka

Dynasty 2

Hetepsekhemwy
Reneb (Nebre)
Weneg
Ninetjer
Sened
Nubnefer
Neferkare
Neferkaseker
Hudjefa I
Peribsen-Sekhemib
Khasekhemwy

Old Kingdom (2707-2170 BC)

Dynasty 3

Sanakhte 2686–2668
Djoser 2668–2649
Sekhemkhet 2649–2643
Khaba 2643–2637
Huni 2637–2613

Dynasty 4

Snefru 2613–2589
Khufu (Cheops) 2589–2566
Djedefre 2566–2558
Khafre (Chephren) 2558–2532
Menkaure (Mycerinus) 2532–2504
Shepseskaf 2504–2500

Dynasty 5

Userkaf 2498–2491
Sahure 2491–2477
Neferirkare 2477–2467
Shepseskare 2467–2460
Neferefre 2460–2453
Neuserre 2453–2422
Menkauhor 2422–2414
Djedkare 2414–2375
Unas 2375–2345

Dynasty 6

Teti 2345–2333
Pepi I 2332–2283
Merenre 2283–2278
Pepi II 2278–2184
Nitocris † 2184–2182

First Intermediate Period (2170-2020 BC)

Dynasties 7 and 8 (–2160)

Dynasties 7 and 8 contained many kings who ruled for short periods of time.

Dynasties 9 and 10 (2160–2040)

The Herakleopolitan kings

Middle Kingdom (2119-1793 BC)

Dynasty 11

Intef I, II, and III 2134–2060
Mentuhotep I 2060–2010
Mentuhotep II 2010–1998
Mentuhotep III 1998–1991

Dynasty 12

Amenemhet I 1991–1962
Senusret I 1971–1926
Amenemhet II 1929–1895
Senusret II 1897–1878
Senusret III 1878–1841
Amenemhet III 1842–1797
Amenemhet IV 1798–1786
Sobeknefru † 1785–1782

Second Intermediate Period (1782–1570)

Dynasty 13

Dynasty 13 included around 70 ‘governors’, almost all of whom had short reigns

Dynasty 14

Dynasty 14 was a breakaway group of kings who ruled the Delta at the same time as Dynasty 13

Dynasty 15

Hyksos kings including Apophis (Apepi I, 1585–1542)

Dynasty 16

Minor Hyksos kings who ruled at the same time as Dynasty 15

Dynasty 17

15 Theban kings including Tao I, Tao II and Kamose (1573–1570)
Queen Ahhotep I (1560- 1530 BCE)

New Kingdom (1550-1070 BC)

Dynasty 18

Ahmose I 1570–1546
Amenhotep I 1525–1504
Tuthmosis I 1524–1518
Tuthmosis II 1518–1504
Tuthmosis III 1504–1450
Hatshepsut 1498–1483
Amenhotep II 1453–1419
Tuthmosis IV 1419–1386
Amenhotep III 1386–1349
Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) 1350–1334
Smenkhkare 1336–1334
Tutankhamon 1334–1325
Ay 1325–1321
Horemheb 1321–1293

Dynasty 19

Ramses I 1293–1291
Seti I 1291–1278
Ramses II 1279–1212
Merenptah 1212–1202
Amenmesses 1202–1199
Seti II 1199–1193
Siptah 1193–1187
Twosret 1187–1185

Dynasty 20

Setnakhte 1185–1182
Ramesses III 1182–1151
Ramesses IV 1151–1145
Ramesses V 1145–1141
Ramesses VI 1141–1133
Ramesses VII 1133–1126
Ramesses VIII 1133–1126
Ramesses IX 1126–1108
Ramesses X 1108–1098
Ramesses XI 1098–1070

Third Intermediate Period (1069–715)

Dynasty 21

Smendes I 1069–1043
Amenemnisu 1043–1039
Psusennes I 1039–991
Amenemope 993–984
Osorkon (the Elder) 984–978
Siamun 978–959
Psusennes II 959–945

Dynasty 22

Shoshenq I (Shishak I) 945–924
Osorkon I 924–889
Shoshenq II c.890
Takelot I 889–874
Osorkon II 874–850
Takelot II 850–825
Shoshenq III 825–773
Orsokon III 777–749
Pami 773–767
Shoshenq IV 767–730
Osorkon IV 730–715

Dynasty 23

Dynasty 24

Tefnakht I 727–720
Bakenrenef (Bocchoris) 720–715

Dynasty 25

Piankhi (Piyi) 747–716
Shabaka 716–702
Shebitku 702–690
Taharqa 690–664
Tanut-Amun (Tantamani) 664–656

Dynasty 26

Psamtik I 664–610
Nekau (Necho) 610–595
Psamtik II 595–589
Wahibre (Apries) 589–570
Ahmose II (Amasis) 570–526
Psamtik III 526–525

Late Period (525–332)

Dynasty 27

Persian kings including
Cambyses (525–522)
Darius I (521–486)
Xerxes (485–465)

Dynasty 28

Amyrtaeus 404–399

Dynasty 29

Nepherites I 399–393
Hakor (Achoris) 393–380
Psammuthis 380–379
Nepherites II c.379

Dynasty 30

Nakhtnebef (Nectanebo I) 380–362
Djedhor (Teos) 362–360
Nakhthoreb (Nectanebo II) 360–343

Dynasty 31

Artaxerxes 343–338
Arses 343–336
Darius III 336–332

Originally, the pyramid began life as a standard mastaba.

However, over time it was subsequently expanded.

In fact, six new levels were added on six different occassions, bringing the total height of the structure up to a height of over 200 feet.

The architect credited with the design of Djoser’s pyramid was the kings vizier, Imhotep.

Djoser’s step pyramid marked a significant step in architectural design and the size of buildings at that time.

It is believed that the step pyramid was built during the 3rd dynasty, around 2630 B.C.

ZAHI HAWASS

Hawass has stated that this may be Saqqara’s most complete subsidiary pyramid.

The 118th pyramid discovered so far in Egypt, the big part of its 2 metre wide casing was built with a superstructure 5 metres high.

It originally reached 14 metres in height, with sides 22 metres long.

Hawass’s team has been excavating the site for two years.

The discovery of the pyramid was made in September 2008 with the unearthing of the 16 foot tall structure from the sand.

FIVE STORIES

Once five stories tall, the pyramid was discovered beneath 23 feet (7 metres) of sand, a small shrine and mud-brick walls from later periods.

The third known ’subsidiary’ pyramid to Teti’s tomb was originally 46 feet (14 metres) tall and 72 feet (22 metres) square at its base, due to its walls having stood at a 51 degree angle.

Buried next to the Saqqara Step pyramid, its base lies 65 feet underground.

The pyramid of Sesheshet lies near two other pyramids which might belong to Teti’s two wives.

Archeologists intend to enter the Sesheshet pyramid by November 25 to confirm it actually belongs to Queen Sesheshet.

The one referred to below is Horus, the son of Osiris.

THE GOOD SON

Horus was the archetypal good son, the avenger of his father’s death.

The adult depiction of Horus is as a falcon headed man, wearing the double crown of Egypt.

Another interpretation of the god Horus is as a child, Horus-the-child, or Heru-pa-Khret (which translates as Harpocrates, in Greek).

In this guise he is depicted as a child with a side-lock of hair and a finger to his lips.

Additionally, there is also a very ancient sun god known as Horus the Elder.

OLDER THAN RA?

In the latter case, as Horus the Elder, he is said to predate the Sun god, Ra, and some people actually believe that Horus, the son of Osiris, is in fact an earthly reincarnation of the once great sun god Horus the Elder.

Horus, son of Osiris, had an interesting conception -it is said that his father had been murdered, only to be partially brought back to life by Isis.

Horus was believed to have been conceived during this time, prior to Set physically murdered Osiris once again again.

BATTLE WITH SET

Horus battled for many years against his uncle Set until he eventually won the thrones of both Upper and Lower Egypt.

Set had originally been the first ruler of both lands, but his kingship was unwarranted and unjust.

During the time of the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egyptian history it was believed that every new pharaoh was a reincarnation of Horus.

In Egyptian hieroglyphics this symbol stands for ‘life’ or ‘living’, and forms part of the Egyptian words for topics such as ‘health’ and ‘happiness’.

The Ankh is held by most Egyptian Gods.

It is associated with Isis (eternal mother and High Priestess) and Osiris in the Early Dynastic Period.

The loop of the ankh is considered to be the feminine, while the T shape is considered to be the masculine.

These two sacred units then come together and form life.

Because of its powerful appeal, the Ankh was used in various religious and cultural rituals involving royalty.

TUTANKHAMON

In the Treasures of Tutankhumon, the Ankh was a major artifact found in the tomb.

The circle symbolizes eternal life and the cross below it represents the material plane.

The Ankh is called the “Crux Ansata,” it is of Egyptian origin and can be traced to the Early Dynastic Period, appearing frequently in artwork of various material and in relief, depicting the Gods.

It is usually held to the nose of the deceased king by the Gods to represent the breath of life given in the after-world.

ETERNAL LIFE

The Ankh also resembles a key and is considered the key to eternal life after death.

Its influence was felt in every dynastic period and survives as an icon possessing mystical power throughout the Coptic Christian era.

The Ankh possessed by each God had power associated with that God.

The Ankh of the God Anubis is related to the protection of the dead, that of Sekmet, War, Hapi related to the living waters of the Nile and Amen, the spirit God, the breath of life.

He ascended to the throne as Amenhotep IV, succeeding his father Amenhotep III.

Akhenaton’s brief reign, of around 16 years, occured during a difficult time in Egyptian history and many Egyptologists and other commentators maintain that Akhenaton was primarily responsible for this decline, though there is some evidence to suggest that it had already begun before his reign.

The Aton

Akhenaton, possibly in a move designed to lessen the political power of the Priests, introduced the worship of one god, the Aton , or Sun disk.

This meant that the Pharaoh, not the priesthood, was the sole link between the population and the Aton which effectively ended the power of the various temples.

This also signified the first known form of monotheism in known history. Interestingly, when Akhenaton’s successors, Ay and the general Horemheb re-established the temples of Amun they selected their priests from the military, enabling the Pharaoh to keep tighter controls over the religious orders.

Akhetaton

When Akhenaton established his new religion he built an entire city dedicated to the Aton, complete with a necropolis and royal tomb .

This city was Akhetaton, the Horizon of the Ateon, and at the peak of Akhenaton’s reign over 20,000 people lived there.

This city was built in middle Egypt, perhaps chosen as it was an area not tainted by the worship of other gods.

After the death of Akhenaton the city was abandoned, and the old religions which had been suppressed quickly re-established their control over Egypt.

It is thought that this return was started by the shadowy figure of Smenkhkare, and completed by Tutankhaton who changed his name to Tutankhamon and moved his capital from Akhetaton to Memphis.

Akhenaton is, perhaps, unfairly depicted by history as not being a particularly successful Pharaoh.

Records seem to indicate that he allowed true Egyptian influence to dwindle, but this may not be true.

These ideas come from famous Amarna letters found in Akhetaton, in which Egyptian vassal cities were pleading for assistance, however no replies remain intact.

As there are no surviving records of Egyptian territory being lost at this time, it is quite possible that Akhenaton was a skilled politician who did not require the military might that some of his predecessors had found essential.

Erasure of Akhetaton

Later Pharaohs attempted to erase all memories of Akhenaton and his religion.

Much of the distinctive art of the period was destroyed and the buildings dismantled to be reused.

Many of the Talitat blocks from the Aton temples in Thebes were reused as rubble infill for later pylons where they were rediscovered during restoration work and reassembled.

It is interesting to note that this destruction was directed at Akhenaton personally and not the Aton itself which would return to it’s former place in the lower end of the Egyptian religious hierarchy.

The backlash against the religion of Akhenaton led to the widespread destruction of his palaces and temples. Work began on dismantling Akhetaton shortly after it was abandoned.

Restoration work on the great pylons of Ramesses II at Karnak showed that they used ‘recycled’ Aton temples for the filling.

This has left modern Archaeologists with the worlds biggest jigsaw puzzle.

A section of a temple wall has now been restored and is on display in the Luxor Museum .

Ankhesenamun was probably only around 13 years of age when she married the 10 year old boy King, Tutankhamon.

The reason why Tutankhamon may have married at such an early age was a matter of tradition - the King would be expected to have a wife, or indeed many wives, to aid him in dispensing the religious aspects of his office.

Ankhesenamun was the daughter of Akhenaton, Tutankhamon’s father, and her mother was Nefertiti, his step-mother. This close blood relationship may, according to experts, explain why the only two children from the marriage were both born premature and died.

It is further believed that Ankhesenamun was previously married to Smenkhare but only for a year or two, prior to marrying Tutankhamon, who succeeded Smenkhare as Pharoah around 1333BC.

When Tutankhamon died, Ankhesenamun possibly became afraid of Horemhab who was growing in power and may, possibly, have had a hand in Tut’s death.

At that time, the religion that Tutankhamon’s father had created, was much reviled amongst many of influence and Horemhab was one who was intent on ending worship of the god Aton.

Ankhesenamun sent word to the Hittites that she would give the throne of Egypt to one of the princes in return for marriage.

Prince Zannanza took up the offer of what could have proved to be an interesting alliance, only to be murdered on Egypt’s borders, again possibly murdered by Horemhab or one of his agents.

Instead, she ended up marrying Ay who had been close to Tutankhamon and may have been her natural grandfather.

They took the throne even before Tutankhamon was buried but Ankhesenamun disappeared from history shortly afterwards, replaced as Ay’s wife by Tey.

No-one knows for sure what Ankhesenamun’s fate was but it may be that Ay married her purely to legitimise his own position as Pharoah and then had her killed when he had cemented his position on the throne.

This decision is based mainly upon the period of 2000 - 500 B.C. and rests upon the fact that the history we have recorded at this moment in time is, at best, chaotic.

“Egyptologists are now secretly admitting, but only amongst themselves in their inner cabals (colloquiums), that the chronology framework for ancient Egypt between 2000 and 500 BC is chaotic and that a ‘new political history for ancient Egypt will take another hundred years to establish’”. Mr Don Stewart, currently auditing the Egyptology Profession, and a former economist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s FAS, also former analyst for New Zealand Science Ministry ‘MoRST’, today announced these findings from an Egyptology colloquium he attended in 2002. He added, “Egyptologists at the Colloquium raised the possibility of considering a new process whereby they will in future ignore any evidence which is not found ‘in situ’ in archaeological investigations or anything that is not either pottery-, statue- or building- or any other physical object-based.”

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