The Ancient Palace Of Malkata, Egypt
When it comes to Ancient Egypt and the remains that exist to this day, the homes built for their Gods and the tombs built for their pharaohs, fair a lot better than anything that those alive at the time, would have used in everyday society.
However the huge site of the palace of Malkata, which now lies in ruins, is one of the few places capable of showing just how the monarchs lived, with their people around them.
Amenhotep III, Amenhotep the Magnificent, ruled over Egypt for almost 40 years. His reign lasted from 1386 BCE to 1349 BCE. During this time Egypt enjoyed great wealth and power across the entire region. The great man’s home was the sprawling palace of Malkata.
Since excavation began, courtyards, audience-chambers, harems, and a gigantic ceremonial lake have been discovered at the Malkata site – providing a riveting insight into life at that time.
Researchers have discovered walls covered with what would have once been bright, delicate paintings. Some of which are still faintly visible.
Malkata was a home on the scale of a city, except it was built for a single ruler. In fact the site was so large an area of the complex known as the “West Villas” would have housed the various workers and staff on site.
Amenhotep’s wife had her own wing of the huge estate. There are also the boundary remains of an artificial lake that was built specifically for the ruler and his family to sail on it.
Today, the ruins of Malkata stretch across the desert close to Thebes, still marking the pinnacle of Amenhotep’s 3,000 year old empire.
