Oracles of Ancient Egypt before the New Kingdom (c. 3000–1550 BC): a rethinking experience based on Ancient Egyptian Literature

Abstract

Oracles, a religious practice, were prevalent in early human civilizations. However, it was not until the New Kingdom period, over 1,500 years after the inception of ancient Egyptian civilization, that direct records of oracle rituals came to light. The well-developed and institutionalized nature of oracle rituals during the New Kingdom era has ignited scholarly discussions concerning the origins of ancient Egyptian oracles. Whereas literary sources predating the New Kingdom may offer glimpses into certain aspects of oracle practices, they cannot serve as direct evidence of their existence and should be approached with a critical mindset.