Aerial Perspectives on Ancient Egypt’s History

The famous river Nile to gaze at the grandeur of the pyramids, the archaeological wonders of ancient Egypt are a unique window into the captivating world of the past. As we embark on a journey through time, we’ll unravel the mysteries and wonders of this ancient civilization, examining its remarkable achievements and uncovering the secrets hidden within the sands. Join us as we explore the rich history of Ancient Egypt from a perspective that is both inspiring and enlightening: from above.

A Victoria Vimy flight over the Pyramids, a replica of the plane used by the British Royal Air Force in Egypt in the 1920s, soars over the Giza plateau, offering a unique perspective of the pyramids from above. The aerial perspective offers a new way to appreciate the architectural wonders of this ancient civilization, as well as the intricate details and unique patterns carved into the desert landscape.

The Ramesses IV tomb, built in 1258 BC by Ramesses II, serves as a testament to himself. Ramesses the Great, as he was later called, was in fact the king of kings, the most powerful (and megalomaniac) ruler of classical Egypt, who led the country to the height of its power and achieved several records: he had the longest reign of all his New Kingdom counterparts (67 years), the largest territory (from Nubia to Syria), the largest number of wives (almost 100), and the most imposing stature (6 feet tall, exceptional for the time).

The West of Thebes and the Valley of the Kings are the kingdom of the dead, where more than 400 tombs, queens, priests, nobles, princesses, and even workers have been discovered. In this photo, you can see the entrances to the tombs of Tutankhamun (in the center) and Ramesses II (in the far left).

The Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep II (21st century BC), Hatshepsut and Thutmose III (15th century BC) are located at the Deir el-Bahari site in western Thebes (near Luxor). Beyond the ridge stretches the Valley of the Kings, home to the royal tombs of the New Kingdom.

The colossal statues (18 meters high) of Amenhotep III (14th century BC), which the Greeks named the “Colossi of Memnon” in honor of an Ethiopian hero, overlook the funerary path of an alabaster road, almost completely destroyed, in western Thebes.

The Sphinx of Giza, located near Cairo, represents Pharaoh Khafre (who had it built approximately 4,500 years ago) with the body of a lion. Carved out of a limestone outcrop, it is approximately 74 meters long and 20 meters high.

The Unfinished Obelisk of Aswan, with an approximate length of 42 meters and a weight of 1,150 tons. From their study, much knowledge has been gained about the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to extract obelisks from quarries.

The village of Deir el-Bahari, located in the Valley of the Kings (1479-1457 BC). The ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife, as long as the body of the deceased got the necessary magical spells.

Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor. The architect who “imagined” it was Senenmut, the queen’s favorite person. Senenmut was in charge of a secret society under the authority of the secret temple.