False Beard Long 3

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Clearly, during Egypt's formative early years, beards were highly favored among men. Images from the Narmer palette showcase officials and rulers of the Old Kingdom, such as Prince Rahotep, proudly sporting moustaches, while full beards are prominently displayed on mummy masks of the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom, including that of 12th Dynasty individual Ankhef. However, it appears that shaving began to gain popularity among the nobility during the early Dynastic period. This trend eventually spread throughout the population, as people naturally followed the customs of their higher-status counterparts. As a result, not shaving became a clear indicator of lower social standing, with the exception being when in mourning or preparing for an expedition abroad.