One in five Brits unsure if Cleopatra, last pharaoh of Egypt - was a real person
One in ten adults claim they have never heard of the Pyramids of Giza – while 21% are unsure whether Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, really existed, according to a study.
Other knowledge gaps when it comes to Ancient Egypt include the time period's famous landmarks – with just a third (32%) of Brits now able to name any of these.
For instance, 8% are unfamiliar with the Great Sphinx – and of those who do know about the monument, 17% believe in the legend that there is a hidden maze beneath its paws.
Other unproven beliefs about Ancient Egypt include 21%, of 18-34-year-olds, being under the impression that the Pyramids of Giza were built in alignment with the stars.
And one in ten from this age group also believe the pyramids were built by aliens, and that the Ancient Egyptians had mastered time travel.
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In fact, the poll of 2,000 adults found that over half (56%) admit to knowing “next to nothing” about Ancient Egypt – although 39% said it is the era they are most interested in.
Over a quarter (26%) of the young adults polled, aged 18 to 34, believe the Ancient Egyptian era lasted no more than a century – with just 6% aware that, in fact, it spanned 3,000 years. And nearly half of all those polled (48%) were not aware that cats are associated with this era.
One in ten claim they have never heard of the Pyramids of Giza (PinPep)The survey was commissioned to mark the launch of Total War: PHARAOH, with Sega and Creative Assembly teaming up with historian, Bettany Hughes, to open the “Ancient Legacies of Egypt” exhibition at The Outernet London.
It features sand sculptures made by Sand In Your Eye – including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and a bust of Ramesses III, each weighing in at 800kg, and standing 1.7 metres tall.
Bettany Hughes said: “Ancient Egypt was such a fascinating period in history. This new research clearly underlines how people passionately want to learn more about such an intriguing era, which has captured the hearts and minds of historians for centuries.
“I hope the “Ancient Legacies of Egypt” exhibition, with its intricately detailed recreations of architectural masterpieces, will inspire visitors to discover more about Ancient Egypt.”
The study also revealed that 89% were unaware that it took the Ancient Egyptians 20 years to build the Great Pyramid.
And 41% did not realise that the only surviving structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu.
But four in ten say it is the period of history they are most interested in (PinPep)Meanwhile, as many as 71% don’t know Tutankhamun, arguably the most famous pharaoh from Ancient Egypt, was just in his late teens when he died. And most (56%) aren’t aware the young pharaoh’s tomb was found in the 20th Century.
But while 52% know British archaeologist, Howard Carter, is credited with the discovery, 48% have no idea Tutankhamun’s tomb was found in the Valley of the Kings.
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Nearly a quarter (24%), of 18-34-year-olds, think it was discovered in the Great Pyramid, while 5% think it was found at the bottom of the river Nile.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found 79% of adults think it’s “important” to be knowledgeable about history – with the two World Wars following Ancient Egypt as the eras they are more interested in (33%).
Todor Nikolov, game director for Total War: PHARAOH, said: “We chose Ancient Egypt as the next chapter in our historical strategy series because it remains one of the most iconic periods in the history of humankind.
“Thousands of years after its downfall, its breath-taking architecture, charismatic leaders, and epic tales of warfare, remain some of the most alluring to have ever existed.
“During development, our team fell in love with Ancient Egypt as we uncovered so much about life at the time, especially how the different leaders waged war and left their mark on history.”
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