A recently revisited Egyptian papyrus, known as Anastasi I, is stirring debate among scholars due to its mention of unusually tall individuals. The document, which dates back approximately 3,300 years to the Bronze Age, has resided in the British Museum since 1839 and was traditionally cataloged as part of Egypt’s New Kingdom records. However, a particular detail about the height of a group known as the Shosu is drawing renewed interest.
Written around the 13th century BCE, the papyrus appears to be a letter from a scribe named Hori. It describes various military routes, the dangers of navigating hostile terrain, and the challenges faced in contested regions. Amidst this practical content, Hori notes that some members of the Shosu were reported to measure four or five cubits in height. Given that an Egyptian cubit is approximately 20 inches, this suggests these individuals stood between roughly 6 feet 8 inches and over 8 feet tall.
Such figures would have been strikingly large compared to the average height of adults at that time. The document describes the Shosu as aggressive and resistant to persuasion, but it offers no further context or explanation. This lack of detail has caught the attention of researchers, particularly those associated with the Associates for Biblical Research, who draw parallels between these descriptions and references in the Old Testament, such as the mention of the Nephilim in Genesis 6 and the sons of Anak in Numbers 13:33.
Supporters of this interpretation argue that the Anastasi I document provides credible evidence for the existence of giants, as it was produced by a culture not focused on biblical storytelling. This notion, however, raises discomfort among some scholars and skeptics. The late biblical scholar Dr. Michael Heiser contended that exceptionally tall individuals exist today without any divine lineage, indicating that the Shosu may simply have been those who were unusually tall by contemporary standards.
The Shosu are also referenced throughout Egyptian records as a nomadic group that soldiers found difficult to confront. This reputation may have led to exaggerated accounts over time, reflecting a common tendency in storytelling. Some scholars suggest that the letter may serve as an instructional exercise, designed to highlight the importance of preparedness by amplifying the dangers posed by such groups.
While no physical evidence—such as skeletons or tools scaled for larger hands—exists to support the claims made in the papyrus, the discussions surrounding it continue to fuel curiosity. The Anastasi I serves as a reminder of how ancient texts can spark modern debates about history and human existence. Although it may not provide definitive proof of giants, the document keeps the question alive, prompting both fascination and skepticism among scholars and enthusiasts alike.
