Voices of Ancient Egypt
Voices of Ancient Egypt is a podcast hosted by Egyptologist Melinda Nelson-Hurst, Ph.D., that offers deep insights into ancient Egyptian history, beliefs, and language. The show features solo episodes and conversations with experts, making hieroglyph learning accessible to all. It aims to help listeners understand ancient Egypt on a meaningful level, whether for museum visits, social media, or travel to Egypt.
Episodes
044: The Ancient Egyptians Had a Word for This Season. Here's What They Knew About New Beginnings
It's the fourth quarter of the year. And if you're like most people who love ancient Egypt and have been thinking about learning hieroglyphs, there's a voice in your head that says wait until January. This episode is a direct, honest, and genuinely inspiring challenge to that voice.Whether you're considering enrolling in a program right now or you're listening to this six
043: The "Matrix Moment" at the Met: How this Lawyer Cracked the Hieroglyph Code in 30 Minutes a Day
In this inspiring episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, Melinda welcomes her student John to share his journey from childhood Egyptology enthusiast to reading real museum hieroglyphs with confidence.After decades of struggling with impenetrable academic manuals and frustrating correspondence courses, John discovered a revolutionary approach to learning ancient Egyptian.In this conversation, he break
042: Co-Rule or Coup? The Truth Behind Hatshepsut & Thutmose III
In this episode, dive into the captivating life and reign of Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's rare female pharaohs.Trace her journey from a royal daughter and Great Royal Wife to stepping in as regent for her young stepson and nephew, Thutmose III – and then stepping completely into the role of pharaoh.Learn how she uniquely elevated her status to full king, adopting masculine regalia and r
041: Master Scribes Open House Replay
In this episode, Melinda gives you a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of her next-level group program, Master Scribes. [Watch the replay for a limited time right here] She reveals how to switch from a transactional learning approach that creates only minimal, surface learning over to transformational learning – the type of learning that creates deep understanding, fluency, and the ability to walk
040: Royal Propaganda or Ancient Romance? The Scarabs of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye
In this episode of the Voices of Ancient Egypt podcast, we explore how Pharaoh Amenhotep III used unique, large stone commemorative scarabs as a public medium to record historical events and honor his Chief Royal Wife, Queen Tiye.While typical Egyptian scarabs were small amulets or heart scarabs placed in mummies, Amenhotep III commissioned scarabs detailing lion and bull hunts, foreign princess a
039: The Espresso Method: the Secret to Consistently Learning Hieroglyphs
Have you ever said to yourself, "I love hieroglyphs and I want to learn them so badly, but I just can't stay consistent"? Perhaps you study hard for a few weeks, get busy, put it down for months, and then feel like you have to start all over again. When that happens, it’s easy to ask those painful five words: "What is wrong with me?"In this episode of the Voices of Ancient
038: Unmasking the Real Book of the Dead
Have you ever watched a Hollywood movie like the 1999 The Mummy and wondered if reading the Book of the Dead aloud could actually awaken a cursed spirit?In this episode, we separate cinematic myth from ancient reality. We take a deep dive into what the ancient Egyptians actually called this text, how it was used, who owned it, and how it was created.Whether you are fascinated by the golden mask of
037: Ancient Egypt’s Most Enigmatic Cliffhanger
What do you do when a high-stakes mission completely falls apart, and you’re terrified of facing the ultimate authority? In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, we dive deep into one of the most famous, fascinating, and downright bizarre literary masterpieces of the Middle Kingdom: The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor.This isn't just a story about surviving a storm at sea; it is a brilliant
036: A Window into the Ancient Egyptian Mind
Have you ever wondered what was truly important to the average ancient Egyptian?Beyond the grand pyramids of kings and the massive temples of the state, how did people commemorate their lives, express their deepest beliefs, and show love for their families?In this episode, we dive deep into a unique and deeply personal class of artifact: the stelae of the Middle Kingdom. These decorated stone and
035: The Voice of the Heart & Ancient Egyptian Medicine
Have you ever wondered how the pyramid builders dealt with illness, injury, and disease? In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating, often misunderstood world of ancient Egyptian medicine.While modern minds often separate the physical science of "medicine" from the spiritual rituals of "magic," the ancient Egyptians saw them as two halves of a single, powerful cure.We e
034: Ancient “Recycling” (Or: Why My Son Hates Ramses II)
Have you ever looked at a statue of a famous Pharaoh and felt like something was just… off? In this episode, Egyptologist Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst takes us to the Grand Egyptian Museum to investigate a statue of Ramses II that isn't quite what it seems.While the hieroglyphs clearly claim the monument for Ramses the Great, the physical clues – from unusually large ears to a strangely narrow th
033: Egyptologists Feel Stupid
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, we pull back the curtain on the "highlight reel" of scholarship to reveal the messy, challenging, and often frustrating reality of deciphering ancient texts.Have you ever felt like something was wrong because a particular hieroglyph, word, or passage seemed impossible? You aren't alone – even experts with decades of experience encounter si
032: Do Egyptologists Believe in Curses? (AMA)
In this first-ever Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, Egyptologist and host Melinda dives into the vault of listener questions to separate fact from fiction in the world of Egyptology.From the legendary "Mummy’s Curse" to the sacred creative forces of the universe, this episode explores the deep-seated beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the technical mysteries of their writing.Whether you
031: The 50% Hieroglyphs Rule
Have you ever felt like you can’t move on to the next chapter or lesson until you’ve mastered every single hieroglyph in the current one? You aren’t alone, but you might be accidentally slowing down your own progress.In this episode, Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst introduces her signature 50% Rule, a counterintuitive strategy designed to help you break through what keeps so many students stuck.By levera
030: The Ancient Egyptians in Their Own Words: What Their Writing Reveals About Who They Really Were
In this episode, we step beyond the cold stone of monuments to hear the intimate, living voices of the ancient Egyptians through their own letters, poetry, and songs.From a son "bribing" his deceased mother with memories of quail to a husband defending his track record to his late wife’s ghost, these texts reveal a people grappling with the same universal experiences we face today: the i
029: The Question Changes Everything
In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of questions and how they serve as the ultimate tool for mastering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.Whether you are a beginner struggling to identify a "funky" looking sign or an advanced student grappling with complex verb structures, asking questions is the key to breaking through mental blocks.We explore the psychological barriers tha
028: The person who wrote those hieroglyphs had a name. And a lot of opinions.
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, we go behind the brush to discover the real people who recorded history. While we often marvel at the texts themselves, this deep dive explores the identity, training, and status of the ancient Egyptian scribe.You will hear how literacy (a rare gift held by less than 5% of the population) opened doors to the highest offices in the land, from managing loc
027: The Ancient Egyptians' Own Version of Their History
In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of Egyptian timekeeping, revealing the stark differences between how the ancient Egyptians viewed their own history and the modern systems used in museums today.You will discover how the Egyptians balanced linear and cyclical time, the origins of the dynasty system through the historian Manetho, and how the concepts of ma'at and isfet—divine or
026: How the Rosetta Stone Actually Works — And What It Really Took to Crack Hieroglyphs
After nearly 1,500 years of silence, how did we finally learn to read the "sacred carvings" of the Pharaohs? In this episode of the Voices of Ancient Egypt podcast, we dive into the high-stakes race to crack the code of Egyptian hieroglyphs.From the accidental discovery of a stone hidden in a military fortress wall to the obsessive linguistic rivalry between an English polymath and a Fre
025: Three Seasons, No Winter: How the Ancient Egyptian Calendar Divided the Year (And Why It Actually Makes Perfect Sense)
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, we dive into the rhythmic cycle of life along the Nile, exploring why the ancient Egyptians organized their world into three distinct seasons rather than the four we recognize today.We’ll journey from the letters of a disgruntled Middle Kingdom landowner to the bustling construction sites of the Great Pyramid to see how the rising and falling of the rive
024: "I Almost Didn't Sign Up" — What Held Students Back and What Changed
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst addresses the common doubts and hesitations that keep many people from pursuing their passion for hieroglyphs.Drawing on her decades of experience as an Egyptologist, she explains why feeling unsure is not a "stop sign" but often a sign that you will be a diligent, detail-oriented student.Listeners will hear inspiring s
023: Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Fast-Track: Class Replay
Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Fast-Track: 4 Steps to Learning to Read in Museums or on Trips (WITHOUT overwhelm)[Watch the replay for a limited time: https://scribalschool.com]In the free class, you'll learn my Scribal System: S.E.S.H.With S.E.S.H., learning hieroglyphs is as simple as:1️⃣ Saving tons of time by skipping the dense grammar books that make your eyes glaze over (I will help you i
022: Exactly How You’ll Learn Hieroglyphs in 10 Weeks
In this episode, Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst gives you a full, behind-the-scenes breakdown of her signature program, Scribal School. And she addresses the common question many Egyptophiles have: "How and what exactly can I learn to read in hieroglyphs?"In this episode, you will discover the step-by-step roadmap to mastering Egyptian hieroglyphs in just 10 weeks in Scribal School.Scribal Sch
021: How Marc Learned Hieroglyphs in 1 Hour a Week
In this episode, Dr. Melinda sits down with her student, Marc, to discuss his journey from a childhood fascination with King Tutankhamun to sight-reading ancient hieroglyphs in world-class museums.Marc shares his frustrations with traditional, confusing textbooks and explains how a structured, pattern-based approach allowed him to unlock the secrets of ancient texts even with a demanding career an
020: How to Bring Egypt to You: Unlock the Magic and Wonder of Hieroglyphs from Home
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, Egyptologist Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst reveals that the magic of the ancient world isn't tied to a specific GPS coordinate or a plane ticket to Cairo.Instead, the deepest connection to this ancient civilization happens in the moment of comprehension—whether you are at your kitchen table, in a local library, or browsing a thrift shop.You will discover
019: From Beginner to Unofficial Tour Guide at an Egyptian Temple: Juan's Story
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, host Dr. Melinda sits down with Juan Jimenez, a retired systems engineer who turned a lifelong fascination with history into a practical skill that had his tourmates buying him beers.After surviving a life-altering plane crash, Juan decided to dive deep into learning hieroglyphs, eventually moving beyond dense, confusing books to find success in the Scri
018: What No One Tells You Before Your First Egypt Trip
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, Egyptologist Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst shares a hot take that will completely transform your approach to travel to Egypt.While most travelers return home wishing they had known more, Melinda explains how you can join the elite 0.01% of visitors who actually engage with the ancient world on a personal, intimate level.She breaks down the misconceptions abou
017: Why You Aren’t Learning Hieroglyphs Faster
In this episode, Dr. Melinda breaks down the top three mistakes that prevent students—and even professionals with PhDs—from successfully learning to read hieroglyphic texts. You will discover that the struggle isn't a reflection of your ability, but rather a result of common traps. In this episode, you will learn:• The Real-Life Schedule Secret: How just one hour a week can lead to incredibl
016: Bridging the Sacred: How Ancient Egyptians Accessed the Gods
In this episode, Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst explores the fascinating ways ancient Egyptians sought favor and communication with their deities, debunking common misconceptions.You will discover the exclusive world of the temple elite, the intimate daily rituals performed for god statues, and the creative ways average citizens bypassed restricted areas to ensure their prayers were heard—from "pri
015: These Two Things Will Forever Change How You Look at Egyptian Tombs
In this episode, Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst deconstructs the common myths surrounding ancient Egyptian tombs, moving beyond pop culture tropes like "mummy's curses" to reveal the dual nature of these sacred structures.You will discover the dual nature of ancient Egyptian tombs, including the two parts that every tomb – whether small pit in the ground or giant pyramid – had.By explorin
014: What My Students Taught Me about Hieroglyphs
In this episode, Dr. Melinda shares a behind the scenes look at her teaching experience, revealing a transformative lesson she learned from her students about the right and wrong ways to study hieroglyphs.She shares the story of her student Darren – who went from "killing it" to being completely overwhelmed – exposing the flaws in traditional academic methods that often drain the excitem
013: From Bogged Down Memorizing Signs to Reading Next-Level Egyptian Texts with Ed Smith-Rowland
In this episode of the Voices of Ancient Egypt podcast, Dr. Melinda interviews Ed Smith-Rowland, a computer programmer and engineer who successfully transitioned from a frustrated "lone nerd" with a thick textbook to a confident reader of ancient biographies, letters, and the Book of the Dead. This conversation dives deep into the specific psychological and structural barriers that stop
012: From Hesitant Beginner to Confident Translator of Hieroglyphs with Marysa Alexander
Many people dream of reading hieroglyphs but are paralyzed by the fear that it's too hard or that they aren't ready to take the next step. In this episode, student Marysa Alexander reveals how she overcame years of procrastination, a debilitating illness, and the "perfectionism trap" to go from a hesitant beginner to a confident translator of next-level texts (even literature,
011: They Made an (Ancient) Mistake! with Bob Mathas
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, host Melinda sits down with Bob Mathas, a retiree and student of hieroglyphs who turned a pre-trip curiosity into a deep, multi-year mastery of Egyptian hieroglyphs.Bob shares his journey from learning basic symbols to confidently deciphering artifacts in museums around the world, proving that you don't need a Ph.D. to "be your own archaeologis
010: Are You Ready to be a Scribe?
In this episode, Melinda gives you a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of her next-level group program, Master Scribes. And she addresses the common question many Egyptophiles have: "Am I really ready to learn hieroglyphs?"She reveals how focusing on a "text-led" approach allows you to skip the frustration of thick grammar books and start reading real ancient Egyptian texts imme
009: From “Level Zero” to Reading the Book of the Dead (with a Learning Disability) with Nicky Broers
In this episode, Melinda interviews Nicky Broers, a student who transformed his struggle with impersonal self-teaching books into a successful journey of reading real Ancient Egyptian texts.Nicky shares his experience navigating a learning disability and a non-native language to find a "multiple-road" approach to learning that prioritizes flexibility and community over rigid academic sch
008: How Jen Skyrocketed Her Hieroglyphs Learning – Even Reading Literature and Medical Texts
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, host and Egyptologist Dr. Melinda sits down with hieroglyphs student Jen to explore how real people with busy lives are making incredible progress reading hieroglyphs. Jen shares her journey from a childhood fascination with Egypt to successfully navigating ancient medical texts and classic literature.You’ll discover how Jen moved past the "puzzle&q
007: Heqanakht: the Most Famous Ancient Egyptian You Never Heard of
In this episode, we explore the fascinating Heqanakht letters, a collection of 4,000-year-old documents discovered in the rubble of an ancient Egyptian tomb.Unlike the typical "treasures" associated with Egyptology, these papyri offer a rare, unfiltered window into the personal and financial affairs of a Middle Kingdom priest and landowner named Heqanakht.We’ll dive into how these mundan
006: From Struggling to Sightreading Hieroglyphs with Rick Richardson
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, Dr. Melinda sits down with Rick Richardson, a software developer and "Master Scribe" student, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to master hieroglyphs amidst a busy life.Rick shares his journey from childhood curiosity to hitting "academic walls" with traditional courses, eventually finding success by shifting his focus.
005: Your Ticket to the Afterlife - Heart Scarabs
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, we go beyond the museum glass to uncover the mysteries of the heart scarab, one of the most iconic objects found in ancient Egyptian burials.These large, beetle-shaped amulets were far more than simple ornaments; they served as a sophisticated form of "afterlife insurance," designed to protect the deceased during their most vulnerable moment: t
004: How Marianna Learned More in 20 Minutes Than in 8-Hour Cram Sessions
In this episode, Melinda sits down with student Marianna Sanborn to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to transition from struggling student to confident translator. Despite having an MA in Egyptology, Marianna found traditional academic methods left her "shell-shocked" and unable to actually read the texts she loved.Join us as Marianna shares the specific strategies, mindset
003: Can You Still Learn Hieroglyphs (as an Adult)?
In this episode of Voices of Ancient Egypt, Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst addresses the burning question many enthusiasts have: Is it too late to learn how to read hieroglyphs?.Drawing on her years of academic and field experience, Melinda explores why hieroglyphs are the "missing piece" for anyone who has spent years consuming content about ancient Egypt but still feels a disconnect from the
002: This Podcast Will Change How You See Ancient Egypt
In this episode of the Voices of Ancient Egypt podcast, Egyptologist Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst pulls back the curtain on why she founded Voices of Ancient Egypt and what it means to truly understand ancient civilization on a deeper, more meaningful level.After years of teaching at the university level and working in the field, Dr. Nelson-Hurst recognized a massive "canyon" between sensati
001: How I Became an Egyptologist, University Professor, & Serial Traveler
In this debut episode of the Voices of Ancient Egypt podcast, Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst shares her personal journey from a young child enamored with a "beat-up" museum catalog to becoming a professional Egyptologist with a Ph.D.She opens up about the real-life challenges of pursuing a career in academia, the sensory-rich experience of living in Cairo, and her mission to break down the &qu
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