Thebes, known today as Luxor, was the magnificent capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom period (1550–1069 BCE). While the grand temples and royal tombs capture our imagination, recent excavations have focused on understanding the daily lives of ordinary Thebans.

Archaeologists working in the residential districts of ancient Thebes have uncovered evidence of sophisticated urban planning. Houses were arranged along paved streets with drainage systems that would not look out of place in a modern city. Wealthier homes featured multiple stories, private gardens, and even indoor bathrooms.

The diet of ancient Thebans was surprisingly varied. Workers consumed beer and bread as dietary staples, but excavations of residential middens reveal consumption of fish from the Nile, beef, pork, and a variety of fruits including dates, figs, and pomegranates. Wine was reserved for the elite and for religious ceremonies.

Markets bustled with activity. While Egypt had no formal currency until the Late Period, goods were exchanged through a sophisticated barter system. The deben, a weight measure of approximately 91 grams of copper, served as a standard unit of value.