Aliens, Incest, Or Bold Art? The Giant Skulls of Ancient Egypt
Explaining the Martian Heads of The Amarna Princesses
Egypt’s Amarna period is one of the most controversial and studied times in ancient history. The radical and highly polarizing Pharaoh Akhenaten, during his 17-year reign in 14th century Egypt, instituted a new national religion, employed a novel approach to symbology, and left an unmistakable impact on Egyptian art.
Akhenaten is perhaps the most notorious Egyptian pharaoh save for his son, Tutankhamun (King Tut). Pharoah Akhenaten has become a controversial historical figure, mostly for his strange and androgynous depictions in sculpture, including traditionally female body proportions, exaggerated facial features, and an elongated head.
The depictions of Akhenaten’s daughters with his royal wife Nefertiti have been an equal cause for debate. The first three of which, most famously their oldest Meritaten, were depicted in inscriptions and sculptures with massive, bulbous, and otherworldly skulls.
What Explainations can current archaeological evidence offer for the elongated skulls of Akhenaten’s daughters?
