Within our modern society, hair plays a large role in personal and cultural identity. Its importance has not differed in the past, particularly in Ancient Egypt.
The ancient Egyptians attributed great power and magic to hair, evidently shown in several religious rituals which involve hair. Many burials have included hair offerings, often in the form of braided locks, sometimes wrapped in cloth, sometimes in the form of wigs. The Tomb of Maya at Saqqara contains many reliefs depicting elaborate hairstyles and wigs. Additionally, a range of hair accessories have been found in burials including combs, hairpins, mirrors, and hair pieces. Both these items and images served a vital purpose: ensuring the successful rebirth and entry into the afterlife.
Wigs were also commonly worn in Ancient Egypt. The earliest known example found is a set of hair extensions from c.3400 BC, discovered in a female burial at Hierakonpolis. Men of all classes wore their hair short or had shaven heads to stay cool and prevent lice, however elite men also wore elaborate wigs made of human hair. Cheaper wigs were made from sheep's wool or vegetable fibres. Elite women also sometimes wore short or shaven hair and also owned wigs for wear on particular occasions.
Elite women who wore their hair long often styled it into multiple narrow plaited, twisted or crimped tresses. The thick shoulder-length bob was commonly donned during the Old Kingdom, followed by a tripartite style into the Middle Kingdom, where three separate sections of hair were arranged down the back and in front of the shoulders.
Children in Ancient Egypt also typically had shaven heads, however left a single plait worn on one side of the head, known as the 'sidelock of youth', which was ceremoniously shaved off once puberty was reached. The sidelock was incredibly important in Egyptian culture, as it was believed to carry magical protective powers for vulnerable children.
