Ancient Egyptians Were First to Hire Mayors, New Study Says

Reproduction of a papyrus depicting the reign of Ramses III on display in Venice, Italy, in 2003. PHOTO: AFP
Reproduction of a papyrus depicting the reign of Ramses III on display in Venice, Italy, in 2003. PHOTO: AFP
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Ancient Egyptians Were First to Hire Mayors, New Study Says

Reproduction of a papyrus depicting the reign of Ramses III on display in Venice, Italy, in 2003. PHOTO: AFP
Reproduction of a papyrus depicting the reign of Ramses III on display in Venice, Italy, in 2003. PHOTO: AFP

A recent study that examined a limestone block found in a village in Monufia Governorate (Egyptian Delta) has revealed that ancient Egyptians were the first to hire mayors in the New Kingdom.

According to the study published in the journal Union of Arab Archeologists, this block, found coincidentally at the Ashmoun center, has a remarkable cultural value because it features engravings that highlight major titles used in the local administration in the New Kingdom, like the "Mayor" or supervisor of the Khenti Nefret city.

The limestone is currently preserved at a museum storehouse in the Jewish Hill, in Kafr al-Shoubak region, Qalyubia Governorate, north of Cairo.

The study, led by Tamer Shaafa, Egyptology professor at the Monufia University's Literature School, explained that this city was located in what is known today as the "Shenbary" village, to the east of Giza Provence, which indicates the origin of the limestone before being moved later to Monufia, where it was unearthed.

Shaafa provided a detailed description of the block featuring nine horizontal lines of engraved hieroglyphic writings, copies of the hieroglyphic texts and their translations.

He also interpreted the used language and font, and identified the stone nature, suggesting it could be a part of a plate displaying a donation or grant of an agricultural field introduced by Ramesses III to the department of God Ra in the Delta.

In addition to the new information provided by the stone, it uncovers the historic value of the fourth district of Lower Egypt, which covered large parts of the Monufia, said the professor. "Although Ramesses III left myriad of belongings in the Delta, few have been discovered so far," he added.



Pamplona Holds Opening Bull Run during San Fermín Festival

Participants run ahead of bulls during the first "encierro" (bull-run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)
Participants run ahead of bulls during the first "encierro" (bull-run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)
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Pamplona Holds Opening Bull Run during San Fermín Festival

Participants run ahead of bulls during the first "encierro" (bull-run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)
Participants run ahead of bulls during the first "encierro" (bull-run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)

Thousands of daredevils ran, skidded and tumbled out of the way of six charging bulls at the opening run of the San Fermín festival Monday.

It was the first of nine morning runs during the famous celebrations held in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona.

The bulls pounded along the twisting cobblestone streets after being led by six steers. Up to 4,000 runners take part in each bull run, which takes place over 846 meters (2,775 feet) and can last three to four minutes.

Most runners wear the traditional garb of white trousers and shirt with red sash and neckerchief. The expert Spanish runners try to sprint just in front of the bull's horns for a few death-defying seconds while egging the animal on with a rolled newspaper.

Thousands of spectators watch from balconies and wooden barricades along the course. Millions more follow the visceral spectacle on live television.

Unofficial records say at least 15 people have died in the bull runs over the past century. The deadliest day on record was July 13, 1980, when four runners were killed by two bulls. The last death was in 2009.

The rest of each day is for eating, drinking, dancing and cultural entertainment, including bull fights where the animals that run in the morning are slain in the bull ring by professional matadors each afternoon.

The festival was made internationally famous by Ernest Hemingway’s classic 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises” about American bohemians wasting away in Europe.