False Beard Long 2

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Clearly, during Egypt's Predynastic period and the early years of its historic era, men favored sporting beards. We observe this trend in images from the Narmer palette, for instance. Officials and rulers of the Old Kingdom, such as Prince Rahotep, are depicted with well-groomed moustaches, while full beards adorn many mummy masks from the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom, including that of Ankhef, a 12th Dynasty individual. However, early in Egypt's Dynastic period, shaving became all the rage, at least among the nobility. Later, this practice spread throughout the population, as it was natural for people to follow the customs of those above them in society. In fact, not shaving was seen as a clear indication of lower social standing, except when one was in mourning or about to embark on an expedition abroad.