False Beard Short

sketchfab

Clearly, during Egypt's formative early years, men showed a distinct preference for beards. This is evident in images from the Narmer palette, where officials and rulers of the Old Kingdom, such as Prince Rahotep, are depicted with moustaches and full beards appear on numerous mummy masks from the First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom. However, early in the Dynastic period, shaving starts to gain popularity amongst high-ranking individuals, marking a significant shift in societal norms. As time passes, this trend spreads throughout the population, driven by a desire to emulate the customs of their social superiors. Eventually, not shaving becomes a clear indicator of lower social standing, except when worn as a sign of mourning or preparation for an international expedition.