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In this episode of Talk Like an Egyptian, Iszi Lawrence and Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton explore the life and legacy of Nefertiti, one of the most recognisable yet enigmatic figures of ancient Egypt. Beginning with her first appearances alongside Akhenaten, they examine why Nefertiti is shown so prominently in temple reliefs and ritual scenes, sometimes undertaking roles normally reserved for the pharaoh himself. The discussion considers what this exceptional visibility might indicate about her political and religious status, as well as the enduring mysteries surrounding her family background and origins.
The episode also investigates the discovery of the famous painted bust of Nefertiti in 1912 and the controversy over how it came to be displayed in Berlin. Chris outlines the archaeological context of the find, the highly questionable circumstances of its removal from Egypt, and the ongoing debate over its rightful home. The conversation concludes by addressing the possibility that Nefertiti ruled as pharaoh in her own right after Akhenaten's death, under the name Neferneferuaten, a theory that, while contested, would place her among the most powerful rulers of ancient Egypt.
