Sofia Aziz

The Nefertari documentary premiered at the Firenze Archaeological Film Festival, and although I couldn’t attend, I’m grateful to producer Curtis Ryan Woodside for sharing a moment from the event. This project remains deeply meaningful to me, and it’s an honour to see it recognised.

Firenze has long been one of the cities I love: its ambience, its colours, the quiet poetry of its streets. There’s a depth to its beauty that always stays with me, and this year, its timeless atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop to step back even further into the world of ancient Egypt.

On 14 March 2026, the city will welcome the premiere of Nefertari: The Great Queen of Ancient Egypt, at the Firenze Archaeological Film Festival.  This new documentary directed and produced by my friend Curtis Ryan Woodside brings Nefertari’s world to life with a fresh, detailed perspective exploring her political influence, her remarkable education, and the luminous artistry of her tomb.

The documentary features expert insight from Dr Zahi Hawass, one of the world’s leading Egyptologists, and from me, Sofia Aziz, as we explore not only Nefertari’s legacy but also what we can understand about her age at death and her health. Together, these perspectives offer a rich, layered portrait of Ramses ll’s most beloved queen.

This article presents my research into ancient Egyptian mummification, challenging long-standing assumptions about canopic jars and the role of the Sons of Horus. By re-examining nineteenth-century interpretations alongside textual evidence and modern CT imaging, I argue that these deities protected the entire body cavity rather than specific organs. The findings call for a reassessment of how the ancient Egyptians understood the body, preservation, and the afterlife. A huge thank you to Nile Magazine.