Pitt Rivers Museum Anthropology and World Archaology

 

Africa

 

Hairpiece

Egypt

 

Excavated by William Matthew Flinders Petrie

Given to the Museum in 1901

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Hairpiece, Egypt

Ancient Egyptians of all classes wore wigs. Wigs disguised deformities, guarded against lice, and made the hair look thicker, which was considered attractive. The Ancient Egyptian nobility also favoured very elaborate hairstyles, which were easier to construct and maintain with wigs. High-quality wigs were made from human hair and could be afforded only by the rich. This false fringe of curly hair was found in the tomb of an Ancient Egyptian king, Zer, at Abydos. It dates from about 4,700 B.C.

View database record 1901.40.56