Did the Egyptians Invent Wigs?

The ancient Egyptians wore elaborate head-dresses and wigs.

The ancient Egyptians invented or utilized many items that are familiar to us today. These include paper, writing, scissors, combs and, yes, wigs.

Egyptian Technology

Besides their great architectural achievements, such as the Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Egyptians made many technological discoveries and achievements. The Egyptians loved jewelry and adornment. They created a substance called faience, which was used to make jewelry and decorative tiles. They made jewelry from gold and precious stones such as turquoise and carnelian. Such stones were also used to adorn the elaborate wigs worn by wealthy members of society.

Practices

Ancient Egyptians, both men and women, sometimes shaved off their own hair and replaced it with artificial wigs. Men went clean-shaven, as a real beard was considered dirty and unclean. They sometimes wore false beards instead. As well as wigs, Egyptians also wore hair weaves.

Fun Fact

Some female rulers, such as Hatshepsut and Cleopatra, wore not only wigs but false beards. Since technically only a king could rule Egypt, false beards would be worn during ceremonial occasions to emphasise the legitimacy of a female ruler, according to Women in the Ancient World.

References

• Minnesota State University, Mankato: Ancient Egyptian Hairstyles
• History With A Twist: Did Cleopatra Wear a Wig?
• Women in the Ancient World: Women Who Reigned As Pharaohs

Resources

• BBC/Open University: What The Ancients Did For Us: The Egyptians: