Egyptian Tomb Paintings and Artefacts
Use tomb paintings, artefacts, and objects from ancient Egypt as evidence to find out about daily life: Nebamun's tomb paintings show hunting and feasting, jewellery and furniture reveal craftsmanship, and everyday objects like pots and tools tell us what ordinary people used — understanding that these sources are how we piece together information about a civilisation that ended thousands of years ago
What a learner can do afterwards
- Describe what can be learned about Egyptian life by studying a tomb painting or artefact
- Explain that objects found in tombs and ruins are evidence that helps archaeologists understand the past
- Give an example of something specific a painting or object reveals (e.g., what food they ate, what games they played)
The lesson
Ancient Egypt ended thousands of years ago. No one alive today ever met an ancient Egyptian. So how do we know about their daily life? We look closely at the paintings and objects they left behind. Paintings on tomb walls, jewellery, furniture, and even old pots are called evidence. Evidence is anything that helps us find out about the past.
One famous tomb painting belonged to a man named Nebamun. It shows him hunting birds in the marshes, then feasting with food and music. From this one painting, we learn what Egyptians ate, how they hunted, and how they celebrated together.
Archaeologists study objects too, not just paintings. Gold jewellery shows that some Egyptians were highly skilled at shaping metal and beads. Plain clay pots and simple tools show what ordinary people used for cooking and chores. Even a small toy found in a tomb tells us that Egyptian children played games, just like you do.
When you look at an old painting or object, ask yourself three questions. What are the people doing? What are they wearing or using? What is around them? Every detail is a clue about how they lived.
Tomb paintings and artefacts are clues from the past. Look closely at them, and you can piece together how ancient Egyptians really lived.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.