Archaeological discoveries reveal roles of women in ancient Egypt

An ARTE documentary explores the historical roles of women in ancient Egypt, highlighting how many women held significant power as regents or pharaohs. While figures like Nefertiti and Cleopatra are widely recognized, the production aims to uncover the lesser-known contributions of other women from the era.

German Egyptologist Christiana Köhler has made notable discoveries near the Abydos temple south of Cairo. Her excavations of the tomb of Queen Meret-Neith suggest that women ruled the Nile land much earlier than previously understood. The film examines how these women often transitioned from regents for their minor sons to full pharaohs, and how their presence was documented through various depictions in pyramids and temples.