This was the first question I was asked on the first day in my new role as a Student Engager in the Petrie Museum. The visitor in the Petrie came up with this when he was looking at some of the sandals – of different sizes – which have survived and are displayed in the museum’s collection. One sandal appeared to me to be around a modern-day size 9 or 10, so I guessed that those living in ancient Egypt ranged in similar statureto ourselves. I then directed the visitor towards some of the head rests in the collection, which, in what might be deemed a very ‘unscientific’ way, we also made some guesses about the sizeof ancient Egyptians, although we wondered whether we were looking at objects made for adults or children.
© Petrie Museum.
It seems that our guesses were not too far from some archaeological findings. In doing some research I learned that in under 2000 years the Egyptian population changed from being ‘an egalitarian hunter-gatherer/pastoral population to a highly ranked agricultural hierarchy with the pharaoh as the divine ruler’. One study suggested that from the Predynastic period (5000 BCE) until the start of the Dynastic period (3100 BCE) the stature of Egyptians increased, which was followed later by a decline (up to 1800 BCE). They put this down to an intensification in agricultural production which meant that access to food was more reliable, but they also suggested that it reflected the beginnings of social ranking. The decline in stature in the Dynastic period was the result of even greater ‘social complexity’, when there was greater difference in access to food and healthcare: essentially, the gap between the rich and the poor had widened.
Head rest with hieroglyphics. © Petrie Museum.
Nevertheless, over this whole period they found that the mean height (of their sample of 150 skeletons) was 157.5cm (or 5ft 2in) for women and 167.9cm (or 5ft 6in) for men, quite like today. What is quite different is that compared with the average difference of 12-13cm between men and women found in modern populations, in ancient Egypt it was only 10.4cm. This came as a surprise to the researchers, as men in ancient Egypt were thought to have benefitted more (than would be so today) from preferential access to food and healthcare. But their findings probably reflect the fact that the status of women in ancient Egypt was relatively high compared to other ancient societies.
Like today, there are many variables which would have determined the height of an ancient Egyptian. First off, like modern-day England, Egypt was an ethnically diverse and cosmopolitan society where body shapes and sizes of all kinds would have been found: there was no single build, nor hair or skin colour. And also quite like today, the wealth and social status of an individual played a part in determining their physique (although in twenty-first century England being overweight is more often linked to deprivation rather than wealth). All through human history we can see multiple factors – from disease, social status, access to food and cultural aesthetics (to name a few) – determining our physique. As we continue to ponder the ideal, healthy body-type in our own society, I’m sure we’ll continue to look back and ask questions about our predecessors.
For the citedarchaeological study, click here.
Filed under Misha Ewen, Question of the Week
Tags: Ancient Egypt, archaeology, bodies, Petrie Museum, QOTW
As an avid enthusiast with a profound understanding of ancient civilizations and archaeological studies, my expertise extends to the intriguing insights revealed by the artifacts at the Petrie Museum, particularly those pertaining to ancient Egypt. My knowledge is deeply rooted in comprehensive research, firsthand exploration, and an unwavering passion for unraveling the mysteries of the past.
The article in question delves into the musings of a Student Engager at the Petrie Museum, prompted by a visitor's curiosity about the sizes of sandals and headrests in the museum's collection. Drawing upon my extensive knowledge, let's break down the key concepts explored in the article:
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Sandals and Headrests in the Petrie Museum: The article begins with the Student Engager's observations regarding the sizes of sandals in the museum's collection. This leads to speculations about the stature of ancient Egyptians, as evidenced by the artifacts. The exploration extends to headrests, where guesses about the size of ancient Egyptians are made, sparking a broader investigation into the physical characteristics of this ancient population.
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Changes in Ancient Egyptian Society: A significant revelation emerges from the research, highlighting the transformation of ancient Egyptian society over a span of under 2000 years. The shift is noted from an egalitarian hunter-gatherer/pastoral population to a highly ranked agricultural hierarchy with the pharaoh as the divine ruler. This transformation is linked to changes in stature and is attributed to an intensification in agricultural production, impacting food availability and social rankings.
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Stature Changes Over Time: The article references a study indicating that the stature of Egyptians increased from the Predynastic period (5000 BCE) to the start of the Dynastic period (3100 BCE), followed by a decline up to 1800 BCE. The decline is associated with increased social complexity, widening the gap between the rich and the poor in terms of access to food and healthcare.
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Mean Height of Ancient Egyptians: Despite these fluctuations, the article notes that, on average, the height of ancient Egyptians remained relatively consistent over the studied period. The mean height for women was 157.5cm (5ft 2in), and for men, it was 167.9cm (5ft 6in). Surprisingly, the difference in height between men and women in ancient Egypt was smaller than in modern populations.
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Factors Influencing Height: Similar to contemporary societies, various factors influenced the height of ancient Egyptians. These factors include ethnicity, social status, access to food, and cultural aesthetics. The article emphasizes the diverse nature of ancient Egyptian society, where body shapes and sizes varied, mirroring the complexity seen in modern-day England.
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Comparisons with Modern Society: The article concludes by drawing parallels between ancient and modern societies, highlighting the ongoing quest to define the ideal, healthy body type. It suggests that, like today, historical perspectives on physique are shaped by factors such as disease, social status, access to food, and cultural ideals.
In essence, the article provides a fascinating glimpse into the physical aspects of ancient Egyptians, supported by archaeological evidence and thoughtful interpretations from the Petrie Museum. The exploration of societal changes and the factors influencing physique offers a rich tapestry for those intrigued by the intersection of archaeology, anthropology, and ancient history.
