Rev. Shaji Karackal
London, England:A 3,300 year old Egyptian papyrus—known as Anastasi I—has resurfaced in modern discussion because it appears to describe unusually tall people, which some commentators link to biblical “giants.” A recent article (published February 1, 2026) in the Daily Mail and related discussions, shows a renewed interest in extra Biblical validation of giants being mentioned in Old Testament writings.
This document, housed in the British Museum since 1839, has been “resurfaced” in online and biblical research circles (notably via the Associates for Biblical Research) as potential extra-biblical evidence for the existence of unusually tall people in the ancient Levant, linking to biblical descriptions of giants (such as the Nephilim, Anakim, or Rephaim).
Papyrus Anastasi I is a literary text from Egypt’s New Kingdom period (roughly 13th century BCE, during the Ramesside era). It’s framed as a satirical or instructional letter from one scribe (Hori) scolding another (Amenemope) about military knowledge and accuracy in reporting.
A key passage describes a narrow mountain pass in Canaan infested with Shasu (nomadic bedouin-like groups from the Levant). It states that some of these Shasu warriors were “four cubits or five cubits” tall, measured from nose to foot (or sometimes interpreted as from feet to eyes/nose). The royal Egyptian cubit was about 20.6–20.7 inches (52–52.5 cm). This translates to heights of roughly 6 ft 8 in to 8 ft 6 in (2–2.6 meters) from nose to feet, or potentially 7 ft 6 in to 9 ft (2.3–2.7 meters) overall if adding head height.
The text emphasizes the need for precise reporting, so the measurements are presented as factual observations rather than exaggeration.
The Bible describes groups like the Anakim (descendants of Anak, associated with the Nephilim in Numbers 13:33) as exceptionally tall people in Canaan, making Israelite spies feel like “grasshoppers” (Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 2:10–11, 9:1–2). Other references include the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 2–3) and individuals like Og of Bashan (whose bed was ~13 feet long) or Goliath (~9+ feet).
Those who support this argument points out that Shasu were active in the same regions (southern Levant/Canaan) as these biblical groups. The papyrus mentions cities like Kirjath-Anab (linked to Anab, a city of the Anakim in Joshua 15:50) and Beth-Sepher (possibly Debir/Kirjath-Sepher). Other Egyptian sources (e.g., Execration Texts from ~19th–18th centuries BCE) curse the “Iy Aneq” (possibly “people of Anak”), portraying them as formidable.
This is seen as independent corroboration that tall warrior groups existed in Canaan around the time of the biblical conquest narratives.
Mainstream Egyptologists and historians see the Shasu as real nomadic tribes (mentioned in other Egyptian records, including Merneptah Stele ~1208 BCE). The height description may reflect real observations of taller individuals, military hyperbole, or cultural stereotyping of foreigners.
In summary, the document does provide an ancient, non-biblical reference to exceptionally tall warriors in Canaan from roughly the same era as biblical events, which some see as aligning with accounts of giants like the Anakim. The debate remains ongoing between literal biblical interpretations and historical/archaeological explanations.
