Egypt's Non-written History

When most people think of types of "non-written" history, they immediately begin to imagine various art forms such as paintings, sculpting, architecture, and music. All of these forms of art provide a civilization, culture or an entire country with a sampling of what life may be like or have been like. It provides an emotional and vibrant story that a written history may not give. Because Egyptians did not write history, so these forms were some of the only indications of life in the past.

Egypt's history is filled with un-written forms of history. Even their written word used pictures, hieroglyphics, in place of letters. 

Beyond this pictorial form of the written word, ancient Egyptian artwork was an incredibly important part of their culture, as well as a significantly helpful tool in determining how life was in ancient Egypt. Egyptians used painting and sculpting for various purposes utilizing symbolism within their work. Lining the walls of tombs and temples across Egypt are the elaborate paintings that tell a story, or depict a specific (spiritual) journy. These paintings in the burial chambers of the dead were often road maps of sorts for the spirit of the dead to get to the afterlife.

The most iconic forms of art and the non-written forms of history in Egypt's are the sculptures, statues and arcitecture. Egyptians often incorporated both, leaving the world with incredible works such as the Great Sphinx in Giza seated in front of a pyramid, this half man half lion was an incredible depiction of how the Egyptians represented their Gods and guardians of their civilization. 

In addition, sculptures litter the tombs and excavated terraine of Egypt. These statues made from various metals and materials depending on the purpose they were serving, were ways in which this ancient race honored Pharaohs, priests and Gods. 

The final form of the non-written forms of history in Ancient Egypt was music. This form was particularly difficult for researchers to obtain more information on music played was never written down, and the only signs of music utilized in this society was the excessive dipiction of musicians and musical instruments within the paintings.  This indicates that music was an important aspect of, at the very least, affluent society in ancient Egypt.

Overall art and the un-written forms of history were the most important aspect of ancient Egyptian culture to researchers today because there was no written history. So much has been discovered by analyzing these works. Without them, the world may not know about the day to day life of the Egyptians, what was important to them, their religion or even major events such as climatic change or plague. 

Sources:

http://www.touregypt.net/music.htm

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/symbolism2.htm

http://www.hudsonfla.com/artfirstciv.htm