The Enclosure of Khasekhemwy, the oldest freestanding mud brick structure in the world. Photo: Renee Friedman, Courtesy of the Hierakonpolis Expedition.
The Enclosure of Khasekhemwy, the oldest freestanding mud brick structure in the world. Photo: Renee Friedman, Courtesy of the Hierakonpolis Expedition.
Exploring Egypt’s First Capital: Excavations at Hierakonpolis
2:00 pm–3:00 pm
Hierakonpolis has long been known as the home of the palette of King Narmer, a potent icon for the birth of Egyptian civilization from around 3,100 BCE. But ongoing work at the site is now widening our view of its development by nearly 500 years. Explorations in the elite cemetery have revealed tombs of local rulers. Powerful in life, in death they expressed their dominion in not only in the elaborate architecture and contents of their sizable graves, but also with the people and intriguing array of animals they took with them to the afterlife.
Learn about these and other discoveries that have led to a new understanding of the influence Hierakonpolis had on the trajectory of Ancient Egyptian culture and the development of some of its most distinctive features.
Dr. Renée Friedman, research fellow, Griffiths Institute, University of Oxford
Assistive listening system
Wheelchair accessible
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.