Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Bundle of Hair Extensions

ca. 2114–1502 B.C.E.

1 of 2

Object Label

These hair extensions would have been placed in a tomb for use in the afterlife. In this world Egyptians used extensions to make their wigs or natural hair thicker and more attractive, just as people do today. The reliefs in this case show hairdressers adding extensions like these to the hair or wig of Queen Neferu. The date for these extensions is based on carbon-14 analysis, a method by which scientists use radioactivity to determine an object’s age.

Caption

Bundle of Hair Extensions, ca. 2114–1502 B.C.E.. Human hair, linen, Diam. 2 5/8 x 7 1/16 in. (6.6 x 18 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.25Ea-c. Creative Commons-BY

Title

Bundle of Hair Extensions

Date

ca. 2114–1502 B.C.E.

Dynasty

late Dynasty 6 to early 18 Dynasty

Period

Old Kingdom to early New Kingdom

Medium

Human hair, linen

Classification

Remains, Human

Dimensions

Diam. 2 5/8 x 7 1/16 in. (6.6 x 18 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.2042.25Ea-c

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

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Frequent Art Questions

  • Is it fair to call this a weave?

    Absolutely! Hair dressing was ritualized and elaborate in Ancient Egyptian high society. These extensions would have been woven into a wig.

  • How are you able to date the wigs and extensions in the from ancient Egypt?

    In the case of the particular extensions on view, carbon-14 testing was done to determine the age of the hair. Other than scientific testing, context--like styles of pottery and tomb decoration--can be used to estimate a date.

  • Is this real hair?????

    Absolutely! Hair dressing was ritualized and elaborate in Ancient Egyptian high society. These extensions would have been woven into a wig. If you look to the relief carving right above you can see scenes of hairdressing!
    Where did they get the hair from?
    Extensions were sometimes horse hair, or other natural fibers. The highest quality wigs and extensions were, of course, human hair; though, I’m not sure whose hair it was.

  • So these Egyptian hair extensions are--I think--braided? Does this mean that Egyptian women in fact wore their hair this way?

    Yes! Braiding was a common hair treatment and has even been seen on mummies with locks of hair preserved.

  • Queen Neferu's hair is cool. Can you tell me about it?

    Extensions would be made out of several different materials, including horse hair and even human hair, which is what the extensions we have are made of.
    Thanks, that was cool.

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