Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
PAST PRESERVERS
Opening of the Replica of Tutankhamun's Tomb
http://pastpreservers.blogspot.nl/2014/04/opening-of-replica-of-tutankhamuns-tomb.html
FACTUM FOUNDATION
Installation of the facsimile of the Tomb of Tutankhamun in Luxor
http://www.factumfoundation.org/ind/42/The-facsimile-of-Tutankhamun-apos-s-tomb-in-Luxor--April-2014
AHRAM ONLINE
By Nevine El-Aref:
Almost 60 royal mummies discovered in Egypt's Valley of the Kings
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/100031/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Almost--royal-mummies-discovered-in-Egypts-Valley-.aspx
Three Ancient Egypt artefacts to return from Germany
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99974/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Three-Ancient-Egypt-artefacts-to-return-from-Germa.aspx
10 artefacts stolen from the Egyptian Museum recovered
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/100154/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/-artefacts-stolen-from-the-Egyptian-Museum-recover.aspx
EUREKALERT
Basel Egyptologists identify tomb of royal children
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-04/uob-bei042814.php
BBC RADIO 4 - IN OUR TIME
The Tale of Sinuhe
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss The Tale of Sinuhe, one of the most celebrated works of ancient Egyptian literature.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b041ybj3
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
An Egyptian Ostracon with a Disheveled Mourner.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/04/29/an-egyptian-ostracon-with-a-disheveled-mourner/
LUXOR TIMES
Tomb of the royal children in the Kings' Valley identified
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/04/tomb-of-royal-children-in-kings-valley.html
EGYPTIAN'S
New post by Timothy Reid:
The Egyptian: Book of Living and Dying
http://tim-theegyptians.blogspot.nl/2014/04/the-egyptian-book-of-living-and-dying.html
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
By Molly Gleeson:
Back together again
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/04/26/back-together-again/
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
New from the Oriental Institute: Chicago Demotic Dictionary S
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/04/new-from-oriental-institute-chicago.html
Open Access Journal: ANKH : Revue d'Egyptologie et des Civilisations africaines - ANKH, Journal of Egyptology and African Civilisations
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2012/09/open-access-journal-ankh-revue.html
BBC NEWS
Inside replica Tutankhamun tomb near Valley of the Kings (video)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27201300
LIVESCIENCE
By Megan Gannon:
Dozens of Mummies Unearthed at Egypt's Valley of the Kings
http://www.livescience.com/45186-mummies-unearthed-egypts-valley-of-the-kings.html
CALGARY SSEA
Lecture: Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia and Beyond
Date: 7:30 – 9:00 pm, 02-May-2014
Cost: Meetings are Free to members, Guests $5 – Students with ID $2
Egypt’s interests extended far beyond its borders, most famously with civilisations of the Mediterranean and Near East, and south to Nubia. Its least appreciated connections are to the south-east through the Red Sea, to and past Punt and by Roman times reaching as far as the eastern coast of modern India. This lecture will outline ancient Egypt’s interests and relations in this direction from the Old Kingdom through the Roman period.
Location:
Room EDC 287 in the Education Block at the University of Calgary.
http://www.calgaryssea.ca/2014/04/23/lecture-egypt-nubia-ethiopia-and-beyond/
EGYPTOLOGICAL
By Brian Alm:
Confessions of a Part-time Lecturer to Newcomers in Egyptology: Cheops or Khufu?
http://egyptological.com/2014/04/25/confessions-of-a-part-time-lecturer-to-newcomers-in-egyptology-cheops-or-khufu-12108
By Andrea Byrnes:
Gertrude Caton-Thompson on the problems of creating a unified Predynastic chronology, 1928
http://egyptological.com/2014/04/29/gertrude-caton-thompson-on-the-problems-of-creating-a-unified-predynastic-chronology-1928-12114
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New post by Thomas H. Greiner:
At Egypt’s Southern Frontier: the Calm that is Aswan
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/04/25/at-egypts-southern-frontier-the-calm-that-is-aswan/
ACROSS BORDERS
By Julia Budka:
An update from work on the pottery database
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/an-update-from-work-on-the-pottery-database/
Research on the New Kingdom settlement on Sai Island prior to AcrossBorders
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/research-on-the-new-kingdom-settlement-on-sai-island-prior-to-acrossborders/
EES DELTA SURVEY
End of the season at Tell Buweib
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/83713528276/end-of-the-season-at-tell-buweib
EGYPTOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
By Hannah Pethen:
Gebel el-Asr quarries: Discovery and excavation
http://hannahpethen.com/2014/04/23/gebel-el-asr-quarries-discovery-and-excavation/
When diorite is gneiss; Products of the Gebel el-Asr quarries
http://hannahpethen.com/2014/04/25/when-diorite-is-gneiss-products-of-the-gebel-el-asr-quarries/
DIANABUJA'S BLOG: AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, AGRICULTURE, HISTORY AND CULTURE
Behold: a zonkey is born … leading to thoughts about ancient Egyptian animals
http://dianabuja.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/behold-a-zonkey-is-born/
The Egyptian Book of the Dead; what Egyptologists have to say and an imaginative reinactment
http://dianabuja.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/the-egyptian-book-of-the-dead-what-egyptologists-have-to-say-and-an-imaginative-reinactment/
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Basel Egyptologists identify tomb of royal children
Who had the privilege to spend eternal life next to the pharaoh? Close to the royal tombs in the Egyptian Valley of the Kings, excavations by Egyptologists from the University of Basel have identified the burial place of several children as well as other family members of two pharaohs.
Basel Egyptologists of the University of Basel Kings' Valley Project have been working on tomb KV 40 in the Valley of the Kings close to the city of Luxor for three years. From the outside, only a depression in the ground indicated the presence of a subterranean tomb. Up to now, nothing was known about the layout of tomb KV 40 nor for whom it was build and who was buried there.
The Egyptologists assumed that it was a non-royal tomb dating back to the 18th dynasty. They first cleared the six meter deep shaft which gives access to five subterranean chambers and then recovered the countless remains and fragments of funerary equipment.
Mummified royal children
The scientists discovered mummified remains of at least 50 people in the center chamber and in three side chambers. Based on inscriptions on storage jars, Egyptologists were able to identify and name over 30 people during this year's field season. Titles such as "Prince" and "Princess" distinguish the buried as members of the families of the two pharaohs Thutmosis IV and Amenhotep III who are also buried in the Valley of Kings. Both pharaohs belonged to the 18th dynasty (New Kingdom) and ruled in the 14th century BC.
Basel Egyptologists of the University of Basel Kings' Valley Project have been working on tomb KV 40 in the Valley of the Kings close to the city of Luxor for three years. From the outside, only a depression in the ground indicated the presence of a subterranean tomb. Up to now, nothing was known about the layout of tomb KV 40 nor for whom it was build and who was buried there.
The Egyptologists assumed that it was a non-royal tomb dating back to the 18th dynasty. They first cleared the six meter deep shaft which gives access to five subterranean chambers and then recovered the countless remains and fragments of funerary equipment.
Mummified royal children
The scientists discovered mummified remains of at least 50 people in the center chamber and in three side chambers. Based on inscriptions on storage jars, Egyptologists were able to identify and name over 30 people during this year's field season. Titles such as "Prince" and "Princess" distinguish the buried as members of the families of the two pharaohs Thutmosis IV and Amenhotep III who are also buried in the Valley of Kings. Both pharaohs belonged to the 18th dynasty (New Kingdom) and ruled in the 14th century BC.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Almost 60 royal mummies discovered in Egypt's Valley of the Kings
Swiss archaeological mission finds cachet of 18th dynasty royal mummies on Luxor's West Bank
by Nevine El-Aref , Monday 28 Apr 2014
A cachet of royal mummies has been unearthed inside a rock-hewn tomb in the Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank, Egypt's antiquities ministry announced on Monday.
The tomb contains almost 60 ancient Egyptian royal mummies from the 18th dynasty along with the remains of wooden sarcophagi and cartonnage mummy masks depicting the facial features of the deceased, Antiquities Minister Mohamed Ibrahim told Ahram Online.
Ibrahim explained that the excavation work was carried out in collaboration with Basel University in Switzerland.
Early studies reveal that the Heratic texts engraved on some of the clay pots found inside the tomb identify the names and titles of 30 deceased, among them the names of princesses mentioned for the first time – Ta-Im-Wag-Is and Neferonebo.
Anthropological studies and scientific examination of the found clay fragments will be carried out to identify all the mummies and determine the tomb's owner and his respective mummy, said Ali El-Asfar, head of the ministry's ancient Egyptian antiquities section.
The head of the Swiss archaeological mission – Swiss Egyptologist Helena Ballin – said that among the finds were well-preserved mummies of infant children as well as a large collection of funerary objects.
She said that remains of wooden sarcophagi were also unearthed, proving that the tomb was reused by priests as a cemetery.
Early examinations of the tomb reveal that it has been subjected to theft several times since antiquity, said Ballin.
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/100031/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Almost--royal-mummies-discovered-in-Egypts-Valley-.aspx
by Nevine El-Aref , Monday 28 Apr 2014
A cachet of royal mummies has been unearthed inside a rock-hewn tomb in the Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank, Egypt's antiquities ministry announced on Monday.
The tomb contains almost 60 ancient Egyptian royal mummies from the 18th dynasty along with the remains of wooden sarcophagi and cartonnage mummy masks depicting the facial features of the deceased, Antiquities Minister Mohamed Ibrahim told Ahram Online.
Ibrahim explained that the excavation work was carried out in collaboration with Basel University in Switzerland.
Early studies reveal that the Heratic texts engraved on some of the clay pots found inside the tomb identify the names and titles of 30 deceased, among them the names of princesses mentioned for the first time – Ta-Im-Wag-Is and Neferonebo.
Anthropological studies and scientific examination of the found clay fragments will be carried out to identify all the mummies and determine the tomb's owner and his respective mummy, said Ali El-Asfar, head of the ministry's ancient Egyptian antiquities section.
The head of the Swiss archaeological mission – Swiss Egyptologist Helena Ballin – said that among the finds were well-preserved mummies of infant children as well as a large collection of funerary objects.
She said that remains of wooden sarcophagi were also unearthed, proving that the tomb was reused by priests as a cemetery.
Early examinations of the tomb reveal that it has been subjected to theft several times since antiquity, said Ballin.
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/100031/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Almost--royal-mummies-discovered-in-Egypts-Valley-.aspx
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Egypt dig may have unearthed earliest image of Jesus
Curly-haired young man on wall of 6th-century early Christian tomb could have been Christ, postulate Spanish Egyptologists.
By Ruth Schuster | Apr. 27, 2014
A team of Spanish Egyptologists may have found one of the earliest-known pictures of Jesus Christ, in a 6th-century tomb unearthed in Upper Egypt. That and other images are painted onto the walls of a crypt inside an underground structure, whose use has otherwise baffled the finders.
The main attraction at Al Bahnasa is Oxyrhynchus, which was a regional capital in ancient Upper Egypt some 160km south of Cairo, where interestingly the locals apparently worshipped a sacred Nile fish that, according to legend, swallowed Osiris' penis when he was dismembered by his brother Seth. The ancient city also boasts a number of temples to Osiris. But the "exceptional" discovery the archaeological team made in the tomb dates from a much later era, the 6th century C.E., says the team headed by Spanish archaeologist Josep Padro.
The tomb is believed to have been the interment site for a writer and a priestly family, though the archaeologists do not understand the function of the underground stone structure, they admit. But inside the crypt, they found an image from the first Coptic Christian period showing a young man with curly hair and a short tunic, with a hand raised in blessing.
That, the team postulates, could be one of the earliest-known representations of Christ known in the world. Coptic writing surrounding the image is under translation.
It bears noting that portrait art at the time did not always seek to capture the realistic image of a precise person. The product could be representative rather than specific: the artist would give the king a kingly brow and nose, rather than seek to capture his actual likeness, warts and all. Even if the image found was a representation of Jesus Christ, it might not necessarily have been based on specific knowledge of his appearance, of which no known description exists. Roman portrait is one example that differed in conveying realism, even to the extreme.
An even earlier image believed to be of Jesus Christ – beardless and walking on water - was found in Syria in 2011, from around the year 235 C.E. That and several scenes from the New Testament were found at a house that served as a church in the intensely multicultural city of Dura-Europos.
More extremely early depictions of Jesus Christ, mostly as a baby but some in adult form, were found on the walls of tombs dating from the 2nd and 3rd century in the Rome catacombs.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com
By Ruth Schuster | Apr. 27, 2014
A team of Spanish Egyptologists may have found one of the earliest-known pictures of Jesus Christ, in a 6th-century tomb unearthed in Upper Egypt. That and other images are painted onto the walls of a crypt inside an underground structure, whose use has otherwise baffled the finders.
The main attraction at Al Bahnasa is Oxyrhynchus, which was a regional capital in ancient Upper Egypt some 160km south of Cairo, where interestingly the locals apparently worshipped a sacred Nile fish that, according to legend, swallowed Osiris' penis when he was dismembered by his brother Seth. The ancient city also boasts a number of temples to Osiris. But the "exceptional" discovery the archaeological team made in the tomb dates from a much later era, the 6th century C.E., says the team headed by Spanish archaeologist Josep Padro.
The tomb is believed to have been the interment site for a writer and a priestly family, though the archaeologists do not understand the function of the underground stone structure, they admit. But inside the crypt, they found an image from the first Coptic Christian period showing a young man with curly hair and a short tunic, with a hand raised in blessing.
That, the team postulates, could be one of the earliest-known representations of Christ known in the world. Coptic writing surrounding the image is under translation.
It bears noting that portrait art at the time did not always seek to capture the realistic image of a precise person. The product could be representative rather than specific: the artist would give the king a kingly brow and nose, rather than seek to capture his actual likeness, warts and all. Even if the image found was a representation of Jesus Christ, it might not necessarily have been based on specific knowledge of his appearance, of which no known description exists. Roman portrait is one example that differed in conveying realism, even to the extreme.
An even earlier image believed to be of Jesus Christ – beardless and walking on water - was found in Syria in 2011, from around the year 235 C.E. That and several scenes from the New Testament were found at a house that served as a church in the intensely multicultural city of Dura-Europos.
More extremely early depictions of Jesus Christ, mostly as a baby but some in adult form, were found on the walls of tombs dating from the 2nd and 3rd century in the Rome catacombs.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Wednesday Weekly # 30
Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
FT MAGAZINE
By Peter Aspden:
Fit for a king: Tutankhamun’s replica burial chamber
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/2613b3e2-c5df-11e3-a7d4-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2z9TpGoA7
THE CAIRO POST
By Rany Mostafa:
Ancient Egyptian tomb discovered in Giza
http://thecairopost.com/news/106816/news/ancient-egyptian-tomb-discovered-in-giza
AHRAM ONLINE
Two Saiti tombs unearthed near Egypt's Minya
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99433/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Two-Saiti-tombs-unearthed-near-Egypts-Minya.aspx
Egyptians celebrate ancient festival of Sham El-Nessim
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/99540/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptians-celebrate-ancient-festival-of-Sham-ElNes.aspx
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Re and Geb also place Isis and Nephtys at both ends of the Egyptian mummy.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/04/22/re-and-geb-also-place-isis-and-nephtys-at-both-ends-of-the-egyptian-mummy/
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
EMINA: Egyptian Mummies in North America
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/04/emina-egyptian-mummies-in-north-america.html
Open Access Publications: Giza Occasional Papers
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2009/08/blog-post.html
LUXOR TIMES
New blogentry:
Two 26th Dynasty tombs were discovered in old city of Per Medjet
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/04/two-26th-dynasty-tombs-were-discovered.html
THE EGYPTIAN HISTORY PODCAST
Episode XXVII: A Walk in the Desert
Montuhotep II [Part I]
http://egyptianhistory.libsyn.com/episode-xxvii-a-walk-in-the-desert
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
By Molly Gleeson:
Investigating the shabti box coating
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/04/18/investigating-the-shabti-box-coating/
EM HOTEP
Sarah Korcz – A New Interview with Jean-Pierre Houdin
http://emhotep.net/2014/04/19/structures/pyramids-structures/sarah-korcz-a-new-interview-with-jean-pierre-houdin/
AERA
New blogpost:
Discovering very old archaeology…after eating sweets on site
http://www.aeraweb.org/blog/discovering-archaeology-after-eating-sweets-on-site/
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
Voyage of the obelisk
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/5970/23/Voyage-of-the-obelisk.aspx
UCL MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS BLOG
By Edmund Connolly:
Egypt on the Stage: A Tale of two Queens
http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/museums/2014/04/20/egypt-on-the-stage-a-tale-of-two-queens/
GEBEL EL SILSILA SURVEY PROJECT
Seven weeks in - Stela of Amenhotep IV, Easter daredevils and Sham el Nessim
http://gebelelsilsilaepigraphicsurveyproject.blogspot.nl/2014/04/seven-weeks-in-stela-of-amenhotep-iv.html
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New posts by Thomas H. Greiner:
Luxor, ancient Thebes: Is it all hassle or does it bedazzle?
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/04/21/luxor-ancient-thebes-is-it-all-hassle-or-does-it-bedazzle/
PAST HORIZONS
UNWRAPPING ANCIENT EGYPT
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/04/2014/unwrapping-ancient-egypt
ACROSS BORDERS
By Elke Schuster:
First-hand experience with New Kingdom pottery
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/first-hand-experience-with-new-kingdom-pottery/
AMARA WEST PROJECT BLOG
By Tomomi Fushiya (archaeologist) and Neal Spencer (British Museum):
Presenting Amara West to the community and visitors
http://blog.amarawest.britishmuseum.org/2014/04/18/presenting-amara-west-to-the-community-and-visitors/
FACES & VOICES
Papyri, private collectors and academics: why the wife of Jesus and Sappho matter
http://facesandvoices.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/papyri-private-collectors-and-academics-why-the-wife-of-jesus-and-sappho-matter/
EL KURRU: A ROYAL CITY OF ANCIENT KUSH
End-of-the-season: The City Wall
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-city-wall.html
End-of-the-season: The Temple
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-temple.html
End-of-the-season: The Pyramid
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-pyramid.html
End-of-the-season: Objects
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-objects.html
End-of-the-season: Final thoughts
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-final-thoughts.html
EES DELTA SURVEY
Weather, work, a visit by Essam Nagy, and gratuitous cat No.5
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/82896674502/weather-work-a-visit-by-essam-nagy-and-gratuitous
Planning Late Period buildings in the wind!
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/83302243398/planning-late-period-buildings-in-the-wind
Sham er-Nessim at Tell Buweib
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/83514842758/sham-er-nessim-at-tell-buweib
KELSEY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Staff Favorite
https://kelseymuseum.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/staff-favorite/
DIANABUJA'S BLOG: AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, AGRICULTURE, HISTORY AND CULTURE
Coptic Easter and A Feast in Rural Egypt – Recipes Included
http://dianabuja.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/coptic-easter-and-a-feast-in-rural-egypt-recipes-included/
LIVESCIENCE
By Owen Jarus:
Body Slam This! Ancient Wrestling Match Was Fixed
http://www.livescience.com/44867-ancient-wrestling-match-was-fixed.html
FT MAGAZINE
By Peter Aspden:
Fit for a king: Tutankhamun’s replica burial chamber
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/2613b3e2-c5df-11e3-a7d4-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2z9TpGoA7
THE CAIRO POST
By Rany Mostafa:
Ancient Egyptian tomb discovered in Giza
http://thecairopost.com/news/106816/news/ancient-egyptian-tomb-discovered-in-giza
AHRAM ONLINE
Two Saiti tombs unearthed near Egypt's Minya
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99433/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Two-Saiti-tombs-unearthed-near-Egypts-Minya.aspx
Egyptians celebrate ancient festival of Sham El-Nessim
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/99540/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptians-celebrate-ancient-festival-of-Sham-ElNes.aspx
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Re and Geb also place Isis and Nephtys at both ends of the Egyptian mummy.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/04/22/re-and-geb-also-place-isis-and-nephtys-at-both-ends-of-the-egyptian-mummy/
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
EMINA: Egyptian Mummies in North America
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/04/emina-egyptian-mummies-in-north-america.html
Open Access Publications: Giza Occasional Papers
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2009/08/blog-post.html
LUXOR TIMES
New blogentry:
Two 26th Dynasty tombs were discovered in old city of Per Medjet
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/04/two-26th-dynasty-tombs-were-discovered.html
THE EGYPTIAN HISTORY PODCAST
Episode XXVII: A Walk in the Desert
Montuhotep II [Part I]
http://egyptianhistory.libsyn.com/episode-xxvii-a-walk-in-the-desert
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
By Molly Gleeson:
Investigating the shabti box coating
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/04/18/investigating-the-shabti-box-coating/
EM HOTEP
Sarah Korcz – A New Interview with Jean-Pierre Houdin
http://emhotep.net/2014/04/19/structures/pyramids-structures/sarah-korcz-a-new-interview-with-jean-pierre-houdin/
AERA
New blogpost:
Discovering very old archaeology…after eating sweets on site
http://www.aeraweb.org/blog/discovering-archaeology-after-eating-sweets-on-site/
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
Voyage of the obelisk
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/5970/23/Voyage-of-the-obelisk.aspx
UCL MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS BLOG
By Edmund Connolly:
Egypt on the Stage: A Tale of two Queens
http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/museums/2014/04/20/egypt-on-the-stage-a-tale-of-two-queens/
GEBEL EL SILSILA SURVEY PROJECT
Seven weeks in - Stela of Amenhotep IV, Easter daredevils and Sham el Nessim
http://gebelelsilsilaepigraphicsurveyproject.blogspot.nl/2014/04/seven-weeks-in-stela-of-amenhotep-iv.html
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New posts by Thomas H. Greiner:
Luxor, ancient Thebes: Is it all hassle or does it bedazzle?
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/04/21/luxor-ancient-thebes-is-it-all-hassle-or-does-it-bedazzle/
PAST HORIZONS
UNWRAPPING ANCIENT EGYPT
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/04/2014/unwrapping-ancient-egypt
ACROSS BORDERS
By Elke Schuster:
First-hand experience with New Kingdom pottery
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/first-hand-experience-with-new-kingdom-pottery/
AMARA WEST PROJECT BLOG
By Tomomi Fushiya (archaeologist) and Neal Spencer (British Museum):
Presenting Amara West to the community and visitors
http://blog.amarawest.britishmuseum.org/2014/04/18/presenting-amara-west-to-the-community-and-visitors/
FACES & VOICES
Papyri, private collectors and academics: why the wife of Jesus and Sappho matter
http://facesandvoices.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/papyri-private-collectors-and-academics-why-the-wife-of-jesus-and-sappho-matter/
EL KURRU: A ROYAL CITY OF ANCIENT KUSH
End-of-the-season: The City Wall
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-city-wall.html
End-of-the-season: The Temple
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-temple.html
End-of-the-season: The Pyramid
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-pyramid.html
End-of-the-season: Objects
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-objects.html
End-of-the-season: Final thoughts
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.nl/2014/04/end-of-season-final-thoughts.html
EES DELTA SURVEY
Weather, work, a visit by Essam Nagy, and gratuitous cat No.5
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/82896674502/weather-work-a-visit-by-essam-nagy-and-gratuitous
Planning Late Period buildings in the wind!
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/83302243398/planning-late-period-buildings-in-the-wind
Sham er-Nessim at Tell Buweib
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/83514842758/sham-er-nessim-at-tell-buweib
KELSEY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Staff Favorite
https://kelseymuseum.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/staff-favorite/
DIANABUJA'S BLOG: AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, AGRICULTURE, HISTORY AND CULTURE
Coptic Easter and A Feast in Rural Egypt – Recipes Included
http://dianabuja.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/coptic-easter-and-a-feast-in-rural-egypt-recipes-included/
LIVESCIENCE
By Owen Jarus:
Body Slam This! Ancient Wrestling Match Was Fixed
http://www.livescience.com/44867-ancient-wrestling-match-was-fixed.html
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Voyage of the obelisk
A new exhibition is revisiting the journey of the ancient Egyptian obelisk from Luxor to the Place de la Concorde in Paris, writes David Tresilian
The ancient Egyptian obelisks that today decorate many European cities, among them Paris and London, were mostly transported during the nineteenth century when the desirability of preserving ancient sites was less well appreciated than it is today and when Egypt’s rulers, not always particularly interested in the country’s heritage, found themselves casting round for suitable gifts to press upon their European neighbours.
As a result, while at the beginning of the nineteenth century only Rome, among European cities, had a significant population of obelisks, most of them having been transported by the Romans in antiquity, by the century’s end London and Paris each boasted particularly fine examples. The London obelisk, carved during the reign of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Tuthmosis III, was re-erected on the Thames embankment in 1878, and the Paris one, dating from the reign of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II, was set up in the more splendid location of the Place de la Concorde in 1836.
New York gained its obelisk in 1881, when the Egyptian khedive, surrendering to arguments that if Paris and London were to have obelisks than New York should have one too, presented the twin of the 18th Dynasty London obelisk to the city. It now stands in New York’s Central Park a short distance away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The idea of presenting obelisks first to European countries and then to the United States appealed to successive Egyptian rulers because these objects, given as gifts to the cities concerned, were as emblematic of Egypt as the Great Pyramids or the Sphinx at Giza and they had the advantage of being considerably more portable.
The ancient Egyptian obelisks that today decorate many European cities, among them Paris and London, were mostly transported during the nineteenth century when the desirability of preserving ancient sites was less well appreciated than it is today and when Egypt’s rulers, not always particularly interested in the country’s heritage, found themselves casting round for suitable gifts to press upon their European neighbours.
As a result, while at the beginning of the nineteenth century only Rome, among European cities, had a significant population of obelisks, most of them having been transported by the Romans in antiquity, by the century’s end London and Paris each boasted particularly fine examples. The London obelisk, carved during the reign of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Tuthmosis III, was re-erected on the Thames embankment in 1878, and the Paris one, dating from the reign of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II, was set up in the more splendid location of the Place de la Concorde in 1836.
New York gained its obelisk in 1881, when the Egyptian khedive, surrendering to arguments that if Paris and London were to have obelisks than New York should have one too, presented the twin of the 18th Dynasty London obelisk to the city. It now stands in New York’s Central Park a short distance away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The idea of presenting obelisks first to European countries and then to the United States appealed to successive Egyptian rulers because these objects, given as gifts to the cities concerned, were as emblematic of Egypt as the Great Pyramids or the Sphinx at Giza and they had the advantage of being considerably more portable.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Two Saiti tombs unearthed near Egypt's Minya
Two 26th Dynasty tombs have been discovered at Al-Bahnasa archaeological site in Middle Egypt, containing mummies, coins and even mummified fish
Ahram Online , Sunday 20 Apr 2014
A Spanish-Egyptian team has uncovered two 26th Dynasty tombs during excavation work at Al-Bahnasa archaeological site in Minya.
Al-Bahnasa was known in the ancient Egyptian era as the town of Pr-Medjet, developing in the Graeco-Roman period to be the city of Oxyrhynchus.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Antiquities, the first tomb belongs to a scribe whose his name is not yet identified but was important, having influence on Egypt’s cultural sphere. The tomb houses some of his funerary collection. A bronze inkwell and two small bamboo pens were found beside the deceased’s mummy, which is in a very good state of preservation.
Ali El-Asfar, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, explained that a large number of mummified fishes were also unearthed inside the tomb as well as the lid of a canopic jar. Among the fishes is one representing the symbol of the city. “It is the first time to find stuffed or mummified fishes inside a tomb,” said El-Asfar.
The second tomb, said Mohamed Ibrahim, minister of antiquities, belongs to a priest who was the head of a family many of whose members were priests in the Osirion Temple. This temple was uncovered recently two kilometres west of the tomb.
A large collection of stone sarcophagi, which some are broken, was found along with canopic jars carved in alabaster and bearing hieroglyphic texts as well as a collection of bronze Osirian statuettes. A collection of bronze coins was found inside the second tomb.
The large number of coins reveals that the Saiiti era was one of Egypt’s flourishing periods. Osireion statues and bronze coins dating back to the 26th Dynasty were also found in the tomb.
Joseph Padro, head of the Spanish mission, said: “The Spanish mission of Barcelona University has been working in Egypt in cooperation with the Ministry of Antiquities since 1992. During this period, many discoveries were made and this discovery comes as a reward for excavation work this season.”
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99433/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Two-Saiti-tombs-unearthed-near-Egypts-Minya.aspx
Ahram Online , Sunday 20 Apr 2014
A Spanish-Egyptian team has uncovered two 26th Dynasty tombs during excavation work at Al-Bahnasa archaeological site in Minya.
Al-Bahnasa was known in the ancient Egyptian era as the town of Pr-Medjet, developing in the Graeco-Roman period to be the city of Oxyrhynchus.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Antiquities, the first tomb belongs to a scribe whose his name is not yet identified but was important, having influence on Egypt’s cultural sphere. The tomb houses some of his funerary collection. A bronze inkwell and two small bamboo pens were found beside the deceased’s mummy, which is in a very good state of preservation.
 |
| Photocredit: Ahram Online |
Ali El-Asfar, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, explained that a large number of mummified fishes were also unearthed inside the tomb as well as the lid of a canopic jar. Among the fishes is one representing the symbol of the city. “It is the first time to find stuffed or mummified fishes inside a tomb,” said El-Asfar.
The second tomb, said Mohamed Ibrahim, minister of antiquities, belongs to a priest who was the head of a family many of whose members were priests in the Osirion Temple. This temple was uncovered recently two kilometres west of the tomb.
A large collection of stone sarcophagi, which some are broken, was found along with canopic jars carved in alabaster and bearing hieroglyphic texts as well as a collection of bronze Osirian statuettes. A collection of bronze coins was found inside the second tomb.
The large number of coins reveals that the Saiiti era was one of Egypt’s flourishing periods. Osireion statues and bronze coins dating back to the 26th Dynasty were also found in the tomb.
Joseph Padro, head of the Spanish mission, said: “The Spanish mission of Barcelona University has been working in Egypt in cooperation with the Ministry of Antiquities since 1992. During this period, many discoveries were made and this discovery comes as a reward for excavation work this season.”
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99433/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Two-Saiti-tombs-unearthed-near-Egypts-Minya.aspx
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Museum Pieces - Head of Nectanebo II
Head of Nectanebo II
Egyptian, Late Period, Dynasty 30, reign of Nectanebo II, 362–343 B.C.
DIMENSIONS
height x width x depth 31 x 24.5 x 24 cm (11 13/16 x 9 5/8 x 9 7/16 in.)
MEDIUM OR TECHNIQUE
Granodiorite
CLASSIFICATION
Sculpture
ACCESSION NUMBER
2000.637
ON VIEW
Egypt: Late Period Gallery - 216
This superb portrait of Egypt’s last native pharaoh is the product of three thousand years’ expertise in carving hard stone. The volumes of his helmet-shaped crown — the Blue Crown, or khepresh, are sleek and streamlined, almost aerodynamic. The artist reveled in the mottled texture of the stone, and polished it to a glistening sheen in a painstaking process reserved for the most important statues.
Nectanebo II was known as the favorite of the gods, renowned for his piety, devotion to the sacred animal cults, lavish gifts of land, restoration of cult statues, and founding of new temples. Thirty sites from the Delta to Elephantine and as far west as Siwa attest to his extraordinary building activity: fourteen completely new structures plus extensions to existing sanctuaries and gifts of temple furniture. Such expenditures would have been remarkable at any time but were particularly so when the country was under constant threat of invasion from the Persians.
In 343 B.C. Nectanebo II was defeated by the Persians. Nothing is known of his death. Legend has it that he escaped to Macedonia. A skilled magician, he appeared to Queen Olympias in her bedchamber disguised as her husband Philip, and sired the future Alexander the Great. It is certain that he was honored under the Ptolemies, for whom he provided an ideal role model as pharaoh. A cult that worshipped Nectanebo II as a divine falcon, the epitome of kingship, persisted at least until the reign of Ptolemy IV.
Source: http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/head-of-nectanebo-ii-272158
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Wednesday Weekly # 29
Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
THE JERUSALEM POST
3,300-year-old Egyptian coffin found in Jezreel Valley
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/3300-year-old-Egyptian-coffin-found-in-Jezreel-Valley-347980
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
The two Mourners Isis and Nephtys in the Egyptian Coffins of XIII Dynasty.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/04/08/the-two-mourners-isis-and-nephtys-in-the-egyptian-coffins-of-xiii-dynasty/
Nut places the two mourners in some coffins of the XII Dynasty.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/04/15/nut-places-the-two-mourners-in-some-coffins-of-the-xii-dynasty/
EGYPT AT THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM
Texts in Translation #13: The Stela of Sobek-khu (Acc. no. 3306)
http://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2014/04/10/texts-in-translation-13-the-stela-of-sobek-khu-acc-no-3306/
The Inspiration of Shabtis – an Artist’s Perspective
http://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/the-inspiration-of-shabtis-an-artists-perspective/
ARCHAEOLOGY
Messengers to the Gods
http://www.archaeology.org/issues/124-1403/features/1724-egypt-animal-mummies-brooklyn-museum
AHRAM ONLINE
By Nevine El-Aref:
Egyptian police confiscate three mummies from smuggling gang
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/98836/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egyptian-police-confiscate-three-mummies-from-smug.aspx
Free admission to all of Egypt's archaeological sites, 18 & 19 April
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99136/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Free-admission-to-all-of-Egypts-archaeological-sit.aspx
By Amer Sultan:
Briton fined £500 by UK court for attempted sale of smuggled Egypt antiquities
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99060/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Briton-fined-%C2%A3-by-UK-court-for-attempted-sale-of-s.aspx
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
By Nevine El-Aref:
Replica for Tutankhamun
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/5875/47/Replica-for-Tutankhamun.aspx
EGYPTOLOGY NEWS
Amarna, Spring Season 2014, second report from Barry Kemp
http://egyptology.blogspot.nl/2014/04/amarna-spring-season-2014-second-report.html
DAILY MAIL
By Fiona Macrae:
Unravelled after 3,000 years, the secrets of the singing mummy: CT scans peer through the burial case and bandages to reveal life of the person hidden inside
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2600526/CT-scan-reveals-spatula-lodged-inside-skull-2-600-year-old-mummy-used-scoop-brains.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
NAUTILUS
BY ROSE EVELETH:
The Curse of the Unlucky Mummy
http://nautil.us/issue/12/feedback/the-curse-of-the-unlucky-mummy
COMPANY OF IMAGES
Company of Images: Modelling the ancient Egyptian imaginary world of the Middle Bronze Age
International Conference: 18-20 September 2014: Institute of Archaeology, University College, London
The purpose of this conference is to explore the fertile imaginary world of Middle Bronze Age Egypt (2000-1500BC) through its material culture and the archaeological sources from which such material is recovered.
http://www.companyofimages.com/
LUXOR TIMES
New blogentries:
Two reliefs are reported missing or maybe stolen from Luxor temple.
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/04/two-reliefs-are-reported-missing-or.html
Exclusive photos of the stolen antiquities, Facts on Luxor Temple theft including a statement from Dr. Raymond Johnson
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/04/exclusive-photos-of-stolen-antiquities.html
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
Heidelberger historische Bestände: Ägyptologische Literatur – digital
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/04/heidelberger-historische-bestande.html
EGYPT CENTRE, SWANSEA
Something I don’t know much about: Predynastic Pottery
http://egyptcentre.blogspot.nl/2014/04/something-i-dont-know-much-about.html
TETISHERI
New Egyptology book releases: March 2014
http://www.tetisheri.co.uk/3/post/2014/04/new-egyptology-book-releases-march-2014.html
UCL MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS BLOG
New blogentry:
Pottery Project guest Blog: Pottery on the move.
http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/museums/2014/04/15/pottery-project-guest-blog-pottery-on-the-move/
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New posts by Thomas H. Greiner:
Egypt: Here I come!
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/04/13/egypt-here-i-come/
What’s the Buzz at Giza?
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/04/15/whats-the-buzz-at-giza/
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANIMAL BIO BANK
Wow, what a week!
http://ancientegyptbiobank.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/wow-what-a-week/
PAST HORIZONS
HEART DISEASE FOUND IN FIVE AMARA WEST SKELETONS
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/04/2014/heart-disease-found-in-five-amara-west-skeletons
ACROSS BORDERS
By Julia Budka:
Post-excavation working steps in Vienna
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/post-excavation-working-steps-in-vienna/
Categories of finds from Sai, New Kingdom town – some preliminary numbers
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/categories-of-finds-from-sai-new-kingdom-town-some-preliminary-numbers/
THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Assistant Project Curator: Amara West Ceramics
The Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan are recruiting for an Assistant Project Curator who will support the Amara West Research Project. The successful applicant will take responsibility for documenting, analysing and researching ceramic assemblages from the site. You will work closely with the Project Director, Project Curator and other researchers and scientists.
https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=amNvZGU9MTQxMjcxMCZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT02NzImb3duZXI9NTAyNzczNSZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZicmFuZF9pZD0wJnJlcXNpZz0xMzk3NTYwNDI3LWJlYWE0ZTY5MGIzZmQ5ZGZhMzMyYzgxYTQxYzhmNGM5NzU0NzlhYmY=
THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF ANCIENT EGYPT
One Great Day: Two Great Speakers...
Excavations at Amarna
Barry Kemp
What Killed Tutankhamun?
Chris Naunton, EES
Saturday 12 July 2014
at 10.30 am
Admission to this event is by ticket only:
£7.00 each (see Homepage for booking details)
http://www.ssae.org.uk/events-2010.htm
EES DELTA SURVEY
Friday update from Tell Buweib
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/82372805892/friday-update-from-tell-buweib
Casemate, flooded fields and bee-eaters
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/82688083254/casemate-flooded-fields-and-bee-eaters
EES TELL MUTUBIS SURVEY
Return to the site!
http://tellmutubis.tumblr.com/post/81283939915/return-to-the-site
THE JERUSALEM POST
3,300-year-old Egyptian coffin found in Jezreel Valley
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/3300-year-old-Egyptian-coffin-found-in-Jezreel-Valley-347980
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
The two Mourners Isis and Nephtys in the Egyptian Coffins of XIII Dynasty.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/04/08/the-two-mourners-isis-and-nephtys-in-the-egyptian-coffins-of-xiii-dynasty/
Nut places the two mourners in some coffins of the XII Dynasty.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/04/15/nut-places-the-two-mourners-in-some-coffins-of-the-xii-dynasty/
EGYPT AT THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM
Texts in Translation #13: The Stela of Sobek-khu (Acc. no. 3306)
http://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2014/04/10/texts-in-translation-13-the-stela-of-sobek-khu-acc-no-3306/
The Inspiration of Shabtis – an Artist’s Perspective
http://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/the-inspiration-of-shabtis-an-artists-perspective/
ARCHAEOLOGY
Messengers to the Gods
http://www.archaeology.org/issues/124-1403/features/1724-egypt-animal-mummies-brooklyn-museum
AHRAM ONLINE
By Nevine El-Aref:
Egyptian police confiscate three mummies from smuggling gang
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/98836/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egyptian-police-confiscate-three-mummies-from-smug.aspx
Free admission to all of Egypt's archaeological sites, 18 & 19 April
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99136/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Free-admission-to-all-of-Egypts-archaeological-sit.aspx
By Amer Sultan:
Briton fined £500 by UK court for attempted sale of smuggled Egypt antiquities
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/99060/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Briton-fined-%C2%A3-by-UK-court-for-attempted-sale-of-s.aspx
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
By Nevine El-Aref:
Replica for Tutankhamun
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/5875/47/Replica-for-Tutankhamun.aspx
EGYPTOLOGY NEWS
Amarna, Spring Season 2014, second report from Barry Kemp
http://egyptology.blogspot.nl/2014/04/amarna-spring-season-2014-second-report.html
DAILY MAIL
By Fiona Macrae:
Unravelled after 3,000 years, the secrets of the singing mummy: CT scans peer through the burial case and bandages to reveal life of the person hidden inside
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2600526/CT-scan-reveals-spatula-lodged-inside-skull-2-600-year-old-mummy-used-scoop-brains.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
NAUTILUS
BY ROSE EVELETH:
The Curse of the Unlucky Mummy
http://nautil.us/issue/12/feedback/the-curse-of-the-unlucky-mummy
COMPANY OF IMAGES
Company of Images: Modelling the ancient Egyptian imaginary world of the Middle Bronze Age
International Conference: 18-20 September 2014: Institute of Archaeology, University College, London
The purpose of this conference is to explore the fertile imaginary world of Middle Bronze Age Egypt (2000-1500BC) through its material culture and the archaeological sources from which such material is recovered.
http://www.companyofimages.com/
LUXOR TIMES
New blogentries:
Two reliefs are reported missing or maybe stolen from Luxor temple.
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/04/two-reliefs-are-reported-missing-or.html
Exclusive photos of the stolen antiquities, Facts on Luxor Temple theft including a statement from Dr. Raymond Johnson
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/04/exclusive-photos-of-stolen-antiquities.html
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
Heidelberger historische Bestände: Ägyptologische Literatur – digital
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/04/heidelberger-historische-bestande.html
EGYPT CENTRE, SWANSEA
Something I don’t know much about: Predynastic Pottery
http://egyptcentre.blogspot.nl/2014/04/something-i-dont-know-much-about.html
TETISHERI
New Egyptology book releases: March 2014
http://www.tetisheri.co.uk/3/post/2014/04/new-egyptology-book-releases-march-2014.html
UCL MUSEUMS & COLLECTIONS BLOG
New blogentry:
Pottery Project guest Blog: Pottery on the move.
http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/museums/2014/04/15/pottery-project-guest-blog-pottery-on-the-move/
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New posts by Thomas H. Greiner:
Egypt: Here I come!
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/04/13/egypt-here-i-come/
What’s the Buzz at Giza?
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/04/15/whats-the-buzz-at-giza/
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANIMAL BIO BANK
Wow, what a week!
http://ancientegyptbiobank.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/wow-what-a-week/
PAST HORIZONS
HEART DISEASE FOUND IN FIVE AMARA WEST SKELETONS
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/04/2014/heart-disease-found-in-five-amara-west-skeletons
ACROSS BORDERS
By Julia Budka:
Post-excavation working steps in Vienna
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/post-excavation-working-steps-in-vienna/
Categories of finds from Sai, New Kingdom town – some preliminary numbers
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/categories-of-finds-from-sai-new-kingdom-town-some-preliminary-numbers/
THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Assistant Project Curator: Amara West Ceramics
The Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan are recruiting for an Assistant Project Curator who will support the Amara West Research Project. The successful applicant will take responsibility for documenting, analysing and researching ceramic assemblages from the site. You will work closely with the Project Director, Project Curator and other researchers and scientists.
https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=amNvZGU9MTQxMjcxMCZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT02NzImb3duZXI9NTAyNzczNSZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZicmFuZF9pZD0wJnJlcXNpZz0xMzk3NTYwNDI3LWJlYWE0ZTY5MGIzZmQ5ZGZhMzMyYzgxYTQxYzhmNGM5NzU0NzlhYmY=
THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF ANCIENT EGYPT
One Great Day: Two Great Speakers...
Excavations at Amarna
Barry Kemp
What Killed Tutankhamun?
Chris Naunton, EES
Saturday 12 July 2014
at 10.30 am
Admission to this event is by ticket only:
£7.00 each (see Homepage for booking details)
http://www.ssae.org.uk/events-2010.htm
EES DELTA SURVEY
Friday update from Tell Buweib
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/82372805892/friday-update-from-tell-buweib
Casemate, flooded fields and bee-eaters
http://deltasurvey.tumblr.com/post/82688083254/casemate-flooded-fields-and-bee-eaters
EES TELL MUTUBIS SURVEY
Return to the site!
http://tellmutubis.tumblr.com/post/81283939915/return-to-the-site
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Unravelled after 3,000 years, the secrets of the singing mummy
By Fiona Macrae
Her body has lain undisturbed for almost 3,000 years.
Now, thanks to modern technology, the secrets of Tamut’s life are being unwrapped without upsetting her peace.
Using a CT scanner in London hospitals, experts from the British Museum peered through the intricately decorated burial case and the multiple layers of linen bandages to the person hidden inside.
The electronic excavation showed Tamut to have received the most lavish level of mummification, with amulets and other mystical jewels buried with her.
These include artificial eyes, to allow her to see in the afterlife, thin plates of gold or another precious metal on her finger and toe nails and metal plates designed to magically heal the wounds left by the embalmer.
Some of the amulets were placed on her body – others were put inside, beside her vital organs.
Her hair was short, likely because she wore a wig, and examination of her pelvis suggests she was at least 35 when she died. The cause of death is unknown – but the scans provide a tantalising clue.
They show a large part of the femoral artery in her upper thigh to be clogged with fat, a piece of which could have broken off and triggered a heart attack or a stroke.
Her body has lain undisturbed for almost 3,000 years.
Now, thanks to modern technology, the secrets of Tamut’s life are being unwrapped without upsetting her peace.
Using a CT scanner in London hospitals, experts from the British Museum peered through the intricately decorated burial case and the multiple layers of linen bandages to the person hidden inside.The electronic excavation showed Tamut to have received the most lavish level of mummification, with amulets and other mystical jewels buried with her.
These include artificial eyes, to allow her to see in the afterlife, thin plates of gold or another precious metal on her finger and toe nails and metal plates designed to magically heal the wounds left by the embalmer.
Some of the amulets were placed on her body – others were put inside, beside her vital organs.
Her hair was short, likely because she wore a wig, and examination of her pelvis suggests she was at least 35 when she died. The cause of death is unknown – but the scans provide a tantalising clue.
They show a large part of the femoral artery in her upper thigh to be clogged with fat, a piece of which could have broken off and triggered a heart attack or a stroke.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Messengers to the Gods
During a turbulent period in ancient Egypt, common people turned to animal mummies to petition the gods, inspiring the rise of a massive religious industry
For decades, 30 boxes lay forgotten in the storage vaults of the Brooklyn Museum’s Egyptology department. The contents had not been catalogued, or even seen, since the 1930s and 40s, when they were purchased from the New-York Historical Society. But in 2009, curatorial assistant Kathy Zurek-Doule finally opened the boxes. Lying nestled inside each one was an elaborately wrapped mummy in the shape of an animal. Ibises, hawks, cats, dogs, snakes, and even a shrew were all represented in the collection, which had been amassed by a wealthy New York businessman in the mid-nineteenth century. Faced with an unexpected trove of objects unlike any other the museum has, Egyptology curator Edward Bleiberg and his team embarked on a comprehensive study of the mummies. The rediscovered objects gave Bleiberg the chance to investigate a question that has puzzled archaeologists ever since they first realized that vast animal cemeteries along the Nile hold millions of mummies: Why did the ancient Egyptians invest so much in the afterlife of creatures?
Unlike Greeks and Romans, ancient Egyptians believed animals possess a soul, or ba, just as humans do. “We forget how significant it is to ascribe a soul to an animal,” says Bleiberg. “For ancient Egyptians, animals were both physical and spiritual beings.” In fact, the ancient Egyptian language had no word for “animal” as a separate category until the spread of Christianity. Animal cults flourished outside the established state temples for much of Egyptian history and animals played a critical role in Egypt’s spiritual life. The gods themselves sometimes took animal form. Horus, the patron god of Egypt, was often portrayed with the head of a hawk; Thoth, the scribe god, was represented as an ibis or a baboon; and the fertility goddess Hathor was depicted as a cow. Even the pharaohs revered animals, and at least a few royal pets were mummified. In 1400 B.C., the pharaoh Amenhotep II went to the afterlife accompanied by his hunting dog, and a decade later his heir Thutmose IV was buried with a royal cat.
For decades, 30 boxes lay forgotten in the storage vaults of the Brooklyn Museum’s Egyptology department. The contents had not been catalogued, or even seen, since the 1930s and 40s, when they were purchased from the New-York Historical Society. But in 2009, curatorial assistant Kathy Zurek-Doule finally opened the boxes. Lying nestled inside each one was an elaborately wrapped mummy in the shape of an animal. Ibises, hawks, cats, dogs, snakes, and even a shrew were all represented in the collection, which had been amassed by a wealthy New York businessman in the mid-nineteenth century. Faced with an unexpected trove of objects unlike any other the museum has, Egyptology curator Edward Bleiberg and his team embarked on a comprehensive study of the mummies. The rediscovered objects gave Bleiberg the chance to investigate a question that has puzzled archaeologists ever since they first realized that vast animal cemeteries along the Nile hold millions of mummies: Why did the ancient Egyptians invest so much in the afterlife of creatures?
Unlike Greeks and Romans, ancient Egyptians believed animals possess a soul, or ba, just as humans do. “We forget how significant it is to ascribe a soul to an animal,” says Bleiberg. “For ancient Egyptians, animals were both physical and spiritual beings.” In fact, the ancient Egyptian language had no word for “animal” as a separate category until the spread of Christianity. Animal cults flourished outside the established state temples for much of Egyptian history and animals played a critical role in Egypt’s spiritual life. The gods themselves sometimes took animal form. Horus, the patron god of Egypt, was often portrayed with the head of a hawk; Thoth, the scribe god, was represented as an ibis or a baboon; and the fertility goddess Hathor was depicted as a cow. Even the pharaohs revered animals, and at least a few royal pets were mummified. In 1400 B.C., the pharaoh Amenhotep II went to the afterlife accompanied by his hunting dog, and a decade later his heir Thutmose IV was buried with a royal cat.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
3,300-year-old coffin from time of pharaohs found in northern Israel
Researchers find coffin with image of a person and rare gold signet ring bearing name of Egyptian pharoah Seti I, father of Ramses II.
By Nir Hasson | Apr. 9, 2014
A 3,300-year-old Egyptian coffin from the time of the pharaohs has been discovered in the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday.
The cylindrical clay coffin from the Late Bronze Age, which was discovered with the skeleton of an adult inside, has a cover fashioned in the image of a person, called an anthropoidal lid. It is the first anthropoidal coffin found in the country in 50 years.
A rare gold signet ring was discovered near the coffin, with the gold-encased scarab seal bearing the name of the Egyptian pharaoh Seti I. That Egyptian ruler is the father of Ramses II, identified by some scholars as the pharaoh mentioned in the biblical story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, which Jews around the world will be celebrating on Passover next week.
The coffin, dating to the 13th century B.C.E., was discovered near Tel Shadud amid the skeleton of an adult and objects that appear to have been meant as religious offerings, including food storage vessels, tableware, cultic vessels and animal bones.
"As was the custom, it seems these were used as offerings for the gods, and were also meant to provide the dead with sustenance in the afterlife," excavation directors Edwin van den Brink, Dan Kirzner and the Israel Antiquities Authority's Ron Be'eri said in a statement.
The skeleton of an adult was found inside the clay coffin, and the researchers said the corpse appears to have belonged to an official of Canaanite origin who was engaged in the service of the Egyptian government, or to a wealthy person who imitated Egyptian funeral customs.
"An ordinary person could not afford the purchase of such a coffin," the researchers said. "It is obvious the deceased was a member of the local elite."
The discovery of the coffin at Tel Shadud is evidence of Egyptian control of the Jezreel Valley in the Late Bronze Age, the Israel Antiquities Authority said. During the period when the pharaohs governed the country, Egyptian culture greatly influenced the local Canaanite upper class.
The antiquities authority is looking into the possibility of sampling the DNA from inside the coffin to see if the deceased was originally a Canaanite or an Egyptian who was buried in Canaan.
The graves of two men and two women who may have been members of his family were also located near the coffin.
Next to the skeleton were buried pottery, a bronze dagger, bronze bowl and hammered pieces of bronze.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-1.584757#
By Nir Hasson | Apr. 9, 2014
A 3,300-year-old Egyptian coffin from the time of the pharaohs has been discovered in the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday.
The cylindrical clay coffin from the Late Bronze Age, which was discovered with the skeleton of an adult inside, has a cover fashioned in the image of a person, called an anthropoidal lid. It is the first anthropoidal coffin found in the country in 50 years.
A rare gold signet ring was discovered near the coffin, with the gold-encased scarab seal bearing the name of the Egyptian pharaoh Seti I. That Egyptian ruler is the father of Ramses II, identified by some scholars as the pharaoh mentioned in the biblical story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, which Jews around the world will be celebrating on Passover next week.
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| Photo by Clara Amit, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority |
"As was the custom, it seems these were used as offerings for the gods, and were also meant to provide the dead with sustenance in the afterlife," excavation directors Edwin van den Brink, Dan Kirzner and the Israel Antiquities Authority's Ron Be'eri said in a statement.
The skeleton of an adult was found inside the clay coffin, and the researchers said the corpse appears to have belonged to an official of Canaanite origin who was engaged in the service of the Egyptian government, or to a wealthy person who imitated Egyptian funeral customs.
"An ordinary person could not afford the purchase of such a coffin," the researchers said. "It is obvious the deceased was a member of the local elite."
The discovery of the coffin at Tel Shadud is evidence of Egyptian control of the Jezreel Valley in the Late Bronze Age, the Israel Antiquities Authority said. During the period when the pharaohs governed the country, Egyptian culture greatly influenced the local Canaanite upper class.
The antiquities authority is looking into the possibility of sampling the DNA from inside the coffin to see if the deceased was originally a Canaanite or an Egyptian who was buried in Canaan.
The graves of two men and two women who may have been members of his family were also located near the coffin.
Next to the skeleton were buried pottery, a bronze dagger, bronze bowl and hammered pieces of bronze.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-1.584757#
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