In ancient Egypt, Pharaoh Akhenaten ordered the citizens of So’Oud Aten to abandon their homes and move to a new location to worship a single god, Aten. This decision was quickly obeyed by the population, leaving behind valuable items including jewelry, pottery, and children’s toys that are now being uncovered by archaeologists. The city, dubbed the “lost golden city,” provides insight into the daily life of the people and the high standard of living. It was discovered four years ago and is located near Luxor, surrounded by historical monuments from Egypt’s royal era.
The city’s recent findings include administrative buildings, statues of the goddess Sekhmet, and a sun image in a room dedicated to spinning and jewelry production. Akhenaten’s ruling marked a shift towards monotheism or henotheism, which was met with resistance from religious priests who profited from the worship of multiple gods. Queen Nefertiti would have walked the streets of So’Oud Aten alongside Akhenaten. After Akhenaten’s death, the city continued to be used by other pharaohs, including Tutankhamun.
The citizens’ thoughts on leaving their original home remain unclear, but the sealing of doors suggests a desire to keep their belongings safe for a potential return. Hawass believes that no one could raise objections to the pharaoh’s decision, as his word was law. The city’s discoveries shed light on ancient Egyptian religious beliefs and social structures during a period of enormous cultural change.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
