Monday, 25 May 2026
New book reveals daily life of ancient Egyptian children
The American University in Cairo (AUC) Press has announced the release of Childhood in Ancient Egypt, a significant new work by French Egyptologist Amandine Marshall, translated into English by Colin Clement. This groundbreaking book offers the most comprehensive study to date of children's lives in one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Drawing on 3,500 years of history, from the Predynastic period to the end of the New Kingdom, Marshall crafts a vivid portrait of the joys, challenges, and everyday rituals of ancient Egyptian children. The research—aided by a rich variety of archaeological, textual, and visual sources—delves into societal attitudes towards children, their legal and social status, and the ways families and communities cared for their youngest members.
The author explores a wealth of detail, from children's clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles to the games they played and the toys they cherished. The book also examines ancient protective practices aimed at guarding children from illness and harmful spirits. With 160 evocative illustrations and photographs, Childhood in Ancient Egypt opens a window onto young lives long past, offering fresh insights to international readers fascinated by the world of the pharaohs.
This publication is attracting attention not only among scholars but also among readers worldwide with a passion for history, childhood studies, and the enduring mysteries of ancient Egypt.