Before we begin a couple of quick notes firstly there is an extended version of this episode on my

Patreon it adds more detail to the modern part of the story the excavation and Egyptology. I removed it for time, but for those who are interested, it is available on Patreon.

Link in the episode description.

Also, I should make a quick disclaimer. This episode is violent. We are dealing with a grave and a history concerned with war, ancient wars that took place 4,000 years ago, but the scars of these battles are extremely

visible in the bodies of those who participate it. I'm not going to wallow in the violence but I don't shy away from it either. This

episode may not be suitable for all audiences. Please use discretion. Thank you.

Hello and welcome back to the History of Egypt podcast. Today we begin a look back at one of Egypt's most chaotic errors.

Between 2150 and 1950 1950, B.C.E. the Nile Valley convulsed in conflicts and battles.

Historians refer to this as the first intermediate period. a time of weak monarchs, powerful warlords, and brutal struggles.

In this episode, we see the cost of such conflicts on the human beings involved.

This episode comes to you on behalf of James Bulby and Arthur Markham,

both of whom joined my Patreon at the Priest level tier.

James, Arthur, you are far too kind.

Thank you for your generosity and your support of the show.

To everyone listening, thank you for joining me.

Onwards to ancient battlefields. Our story begins in 1926. An archaeological team was at work in the hills of

Deer El Bakhari in Luxor. This is a valley west of the Nile but facing towards the river.

Dea El Bahari, or the monastery of the north, is famous for its temples, most notably the terrace monument of

Hat Shepsut. Constructed around 1480, B.C. Hatshepsut's temple dominates this desert bay, as was intended.

But on the southern side of her monument, another temple stands proud.

This structure is considerably older around 2,000 bc.

It belongs to the ruler Montu Hotep the second.

...