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Close-up of an Egyptian alabaster canopic Jar depicting a likeness of an Amarna-era Queen, from tomb KV55.

Nubian wig

A short, curly Ancient Egyptian wig mimicking Nubian tribal hair.

Photo: Keith Schengili-Roberts, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Adopted during the Amarna period, this wig imitated the short curls of Nubian tribespeople. Queen Nefertiti likely popularised it after seeing soldiers wear it. It remained a costly luxury for the elite due to complex craftsmanship.

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  • Queen Nefertiti likely popularised the style.
  • Construction required up to 200 hours of work.
  • The nape of the neck was left exposed.
  • Made from human hair, wool, or plant fibers.
  • Resin and beeswax held the curls in place.

What it is

This hairstyle features short, bushy curls framing the face. The back is cut to expose the nape of the neck. Royal women wore these exclusively in art. Men had a similar style where hair fell to the shoulders instead. It appeared in reliefs and statues as a gender marker.

Where it comes from

Egyptians adopted this look during the Amarna period. They admired the short curly hair of Nubian tribespeople. Queen Nefertiti likely started wearing it after seeing it on Pharaoh's army. It replaced simpler Old Kingdom styles. Wigs were expensive and reserved for the wealthy.

What it means

Hair showed identity, status, and gender. This wig linked wearers to Nubian culture. It signified high social standing because only elites could afford such detailed work. The style carried religious and erotic weight in society.

How it is made

Wigmakers collected human or animal hair. They washed it and split it into locks of four hundred strands. A mesh base was woven vertically and horizontally. Knots held the structure. Beeswax and resin reinforced the base. Curls were looped and fastened with small hair strands. Construction took two hundred hours.

Nubian wig
A drawing made by EveryHairstyle from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real hairstyle.

Versions

Some layered wigs called duplex styles include plaits and curls. These might also be considered Nubian wigs. Many experts call them Nubian styles instead. The male version allowed hair to fall to the shoulders. The female version exposed the neck.

In culture

Art from the era shows these wigs clearly. They help identify royal women in paintings. The British Museum holds a studied example. Fragile remains make further study difficult. The style reflects the artistic focus on detail and hierarchy.

Relief mit Darstellung eines Königs und einer Königin - Ägyptisches Museum ÄM 15000
Relief mit Darstellung eines Königs und einer Königin - Ägyptisches Museum ÄM 15000. Photo: Shonagon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ägyptisches Museum (Egyptian Museum), Berlin
Ägyptisches Museum (Egyptian Museum), Berlin. Photo: Einsamer Schütze, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
object type: talatat (block of standardized size) with relief - description: bust of queen Nefertiti - production place: Achet-Aton / Amarna - period / date: New Kingdom, later 18. dynasty, Amarna-period, ca. 1340 BC - m
object type: talatat (block of standardized size) with relief - description: bust of queen Nefertiti - production place:. Photo: ArchaiOptix, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Late Image of Nefertiti, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E. Sandstone. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 35.1999.
Late Image of Nefertiti, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E. Sandstone. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 35.1999. Photo: Unknown author, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Nubian wig

Who invented the Nubian wig?

Ancient Egyptians adopted it during the Amarna period. They mimicked the natural hair of Nubian tribespeople. Queen Nefertiti helped spread its popularity among the elite.

How long did it take to make one?

Creating a single wig took approximately two hundred hours. Adding plaits could extend the time further. Wigmakers used wooden mounts and mesh bases for construction.

What materials were used?

Makers used human hair, sheep wool, horsehair, or plant fibers. They applied beeswax and conifer resin to secure the style. A mesh cap served as the foundation.

Did men and women wear different versions?

Royal women wore the style with an exposed neck. Royal men wore a variant where hair fell to the shoulders. Both styles indicated high status in ancient society.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nubian wig", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryHairstyle rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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