After relocating his main studio from New York to Captiva, Florida, in 1970, Robert Rauschenberg's work began to reflect the influence of his new environment, utilizing locally sourced materials like cardboard and sand. This shift is exemplified in his "Early Egyptians" series (1973-74), where he crafted sculptural works from cardboard boxes. These boxes were treated with glue and sand, sometimes wrapped in gauze, to create pieces that, while resembling the heft and weight of massive Egyptian stone works, were deceptively lightweight. Rauschenberg's interest in the Middle East and ancient Egyptian art during this period is evident in these works, which are often highlighted with neon acrylics casting luminous halos on the adjacent walls​ (Rauschenberg Foundation)​.

This series marked a significant period in Rauschenberg’s oeuvre, exploring the themes of antiquity, the use of everyday materials, and the interaction between art and its surrounding environment. Exhibited alongside his Venetian series in collaborations such as the one with Gladstone Gallery, the Early Egyptians showcase Rauschenberg's continued defiance of traditional art boundaries, blending sculpture and painting, and navigating between waste and conservation. The series was inspired by his surroundings and incorporated a new palette of materials, transitioning from the urban density of New York to the rural seclusion of Florida. His works from this period, including the Early Egyptians, orchestrated neutral tonalities of sand, wood, bicycle wheels, and cardboard into forms that recall ancient artifacts, transforming materials associated with consumerism and waste into precious artworks reminiscent of great Egyptian temples​ (Gladstone Gallery)​.

Rauschenberg's artistic journey, from his early experiments at Black Mountain College through his New York period and onto his later works created in Captiva, Florida, reflects a continuous exploration of the materials and cultural influences around him. The Early Egyptians, with their innovative use of commonplace materials to evoke the grandeur of ancient civilizations, stand as a testament to his enduring creativity and his ability to bridge the gap between art and life, a theme that resonated throughout his career​ (Wikipedia)​.