AO Wants to Know is an ongoing interview series where we ask experts in extraordinary subjects to share their knowledge with us. For most people, the phrase “Ancient Egypt” conjures images of treasure-filled tombs, linen-wrapped mummies, and monuments to departed kings. But archaeologists know Ancient Egypt as a vibrant society in which people enjoyed the best life had to offer. Just ask Mennat-Allah El Dorry, an assistant professor of Coptic studies at the American University in Cairo. The Ancient Egyptians “weren’t obsessed with the afterlife,” says El Dorry. “They were…
