At over 3,000 years old, this letter on papyrus is the only complete example of personal correspondence in our antiquities collection. It was written from one Egyptian scribe to another. These men were part of a long line of scribal families who lived and worked in Deir el-Medina (near Egypt's Valley of the Kings). Amenhotep wrote this letter to his fellow scribe, Dhutmose, who was stationed in Nubia as part of a military campaign. Amenhotep reassures Dhutmose that one day he will return safely to Egypt and that his family members, who are all alive and well, miss him. The letter also conveys a message from Dhutmose’s son, Butehamun, who was a scribe like his father. He asks Dhutmose to write him back in his own handwriting to confirm that he is still alive. #ancient #art #history #egyptian #papyrus