Turin Papyrus

ancient Egyptian manuscript

Also known as: Turin Canon, Turin Papyrus of Kings

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Also called:: Turin Papyrus of Kings or Turin Canon

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Turin Papyrus, hieratic manuscript of the 19th dynasty (1292–1190 bce) of ancient Egypt, listing the kings of Egypt from earliest times to the reign of Ramses II (1279–13 bce), under whom it was written. Although the papyrus, now in the Egyptian Museum in Turin, Italy, is in very fragmentary condition, it is still considered one of the most detailed and reliable of the existing Egyptian king lists. It lists not only names but also regnal years, months, and days and also divides pharaonic history into the dynasties by which ancient Egyptian history is still organized. Manetho’s History (3rd century bce) was derived from a source like the Turin Papyrus but because of its later compilation is in some respects less reliable.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Zeidan.