Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: What prompted Egyptian rulers to be buried in the Valley of the Kings?

Tomb Raiders
Pyramid flammability
Civilian riots
Cat infestation

Correct Answer: Tomb Raiders

So why is this answer correct? : Egyptian pyramids are essentially very elaborate and fancy tombs. And naturally, given the wealth of the people buried inside, they were magnets for tomb raiders. To combat the problem, Amenhotep I commissioned a special final resting place for the remaining Egyptian royals; this place was located near the River Thebes and known as the Valley of the Kings.

Trivia: What does the word “pharaoh” mean in English?

Great house
Foretold prophet
From afar
Divine ruler

Correct Answer: Great house

So why is this answer correct? : The word “pharaoh” didn’t always refer to a person. In fact, it originally referred to a place — specifically, a great house, or the place where the rulers of Egypt resided. It wasn’t until the 18th century that people started using it metonymically for the Egyptian king. Even then, it’s worth noting that the rulers themselves never used the title.

Trivia: What was the original color of the ancient pyramids at Giza?

Pink
White
Yellow
Silver

Correct Answer: White

So why is this answer correct? : It might seem like the pyramids were always designed to be the same golden hue as the sand surrounding them, but when they were first built, the Giza pyramids were originally covered in highly polished white limestone. Not only that, but it’s believed the capstones were plated in gold. While this finery has long been stripped off, there’s still a hint of white atop the middle pyramid.

Trivia: Egyptian monkeys helped in which industry?

Painting
Policing
Baking
Construction

Correct Answer: Policing

So why is this answer correct? : A 5th Dynasty tomb revealed a painting showing a monkey assisting a police officer with an arrest. Along with trained dogs, these mischievous sidekicks could serve as restraints and distractions for criminals.

Trivia: What were ancient Egyptian pharaohs buried with?

Food
Wine
Servants
All of the above

Correct Answer: All of the above

So why is this answer correct? : Life didn’t stop at death for ancient Egyptians. According to their beliefs, objects placed in the tombs with the dead would be useful for their rich afterlives. A wide variety of items, including food, wine, vehicles, tools, even pets and servants, have been found in tombs of pharaohs.

The ivory, wood, or stone headrests buried with many Egyptians may not have been comfortable, but they served a practical purpose. The head was believed to hold the essence of life. Elevating it was a way of showing respect and was even thought to help keep demons away.

Trivia: How much did the average mummy weigh?

100 pounds
50 pounds
300 pounds
80 pounds80 pounds

Correct Answer: 50 pounds

So why is this answer correct? : You know that saying about how the human body is 70% water? It’s true! Thanks to the extensive draining and drying process of mummification, mummies are much lighter than they were when alive. The average mummy weighs about 40-50 pounds.

Trivia: What was traditionally painted on the eastern side of a sarcophagus?

Pyramid
Eyes
Cats
Nothing

Correct Answer: Eyes

So why is this answer correct? : Ancient Egyptian tombs and the sarcophagi that hold the bodies of the dead are highly decorated. The coffin inside the sarcophagus was often painted with images of food to help sustain the dead. The eastern side of the sarcophagus was often painted with eyes because it was believed that the deceased could still watch the rising sun.

Trivia: The bottom of King Tutankhamun’s sandals depicted what?

A snake
A cat
His enemies
His daughters

Correct Answer: His enemies

So why is this answer correct? : King Tut’s sandals were found buried alongside him in his tomb. A painting of his enemies on their soles allowed the king to trample on his enemies for all of eternity.

Trivia: What food did Ancient Egyptians use as a wound disinfectant?

Moldy bread
Goat cheese
Raw salmon
Liver

Correct Answer: Moldy bread

So why is this answer correct? : Egypt wasn’t the only ancient civilization to use mold to treat their wounds, but they sure were on to something. Centuries later, penicillin would be derived from the Penicillium fungi to treat infections.

Trivia: What was Cleopatra’s ethnicity?

Roman
Egyptian
Persian
Greek

Correct Answer: Greek

So why is this answer correct? : Despite being born in Egypt, Cleopatra’s ancestral roots are planted in Macedonian Greece. Her strong commitment to learning the Egyptian language and adhering to ancient tradition enabled her rise to power, and she remains one of Egypt’s most remembered historical figures.