Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
The Wednesday Weekly will take a short vacation and will be back in September with a full up to date new edition.
In the meanwhile keep checking my blog for the latest Egyptology news.
So have a wonderful summer and see you all in September!
LIVESCIENCE
New article by Owen Jarus:
Egyptian Carving Defaced by King Tut's Possible Father Discovered
http://www.livescience.com/46978-egyptian-carving-discovered.html
AHRAM ONLINE
By Nevine El-Aref:
Stolen 18th dynasty relief returns from Germany
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/106876/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Stolen-th-dynasty-relief-returns-from-Germany.aspx
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
Open Access Journal: Prazské egyptologické studie PES
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2009/10/open-access-journal-prazske.html
Meketre: an online repository for middle kingdom scenes
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2012/05/meketre-online-repository-for-middle.html
Tombes de Deir el Medina: Couverture photographique
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/07/tombes-de-deir-el-medina-couverture.html
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
New post by Molly Gleeson:
Out with the old, in with the new
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/07/26/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new/
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
The Beauty of Hair in Ancient Egypt.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/07/24/the-beauty-of-hair-in-ancient-egypt/
EGYPT CENTRE, SWANSEA
Animal mummies, Jasmine Day, Alex the Cat, and our poor croc.
http://egyptcentre.blogspot.nl/2014/07/animal-mummies-jasmine-day-alex-cat-and.html
THE EGYPTIAN HISTORY PODCAST
Episode 32: The Repeating of Births
Amenemhat I (Part I - Legitimacy)
http://egyptianhistory.libsyn.com/episode-32-the-repeating-of-births
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New post by Thomas H. Greiner:
Help Egypt and its Antiquities: Positive Work towards Protecting Cultural Heritage
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/07/28/help-egypt-and-its-antiquities-positive-work-towards-protecting-cultural-heritage/
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
By David Tresilian:
Egypt’s heritage crisis
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/6818/32/Egypt%E2%80%99s-heritage-crisis.aspx
ACROSSBORDERS
New post by Julia Budka:
A possible foundation deposit at SAV1 West?
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/a-possible-foundation-deposit-at-sav1-west/
THE GLEN DASH FOUNDATION BLOG
Video: How the Egyptians May Have Aligned the Pyramids with True North Using the Sun
http://glendash.com/blog/2014/07/27/video-how-the-egyptians-may-have-aligned-the-pyramids-with-true-north-using-the-sun/
KELSEY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY
By Catherine Person:
My Favorite Artifact
https://kelseymuseum.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/my-favorite-artifact-2/
SOUTH ASASIF CONSERVATION PROJECT BLOG
Blog Post 7: The Eye of Osiris
http://southasasif.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/blog-post-7-the-eye-of-osiris/
MEDICINE AND MAGIC IN ANCIENT EGYPT
By Sofia Lodi:
Surgical Procedures in Ancient Egypt
http://nefertotsie.blogspot.nl/2014/07/surgical-procedures-in-ancient-egypt.html
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Museum Pieces - Relief fragment with the head of a lady
Relief fragment with the head of a lady
Egyptian
New Kingdom
19th Dynasty, early 13th century BC
Location: Location unknown
Limestone
H 22.6 cm, W 25.6 cm, D 4.4 cm
This relief fragment probably originates from the wall of a private tomb. It shows a left-turned head of a woman. She wears a wig made of strands and braids, which partially obscure the disc-shaped earrings. To the woman's head a decorated band is wound. At the woman's forehead is a lotus flower. On the eye and brow makeup lines are attached. Under the eye with fine lines are well reproduced tears. Typical for the period of the relief is the representation of wrinkles on the neck.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Egyptian - Oriental Collection
Inv.-Nr. AE_INV_73
Provenance:
1821 purchase by EA Burghart in Egypt
Source: http://bilddatenbank.khm.at/viewArtefact?id=324215&image=AE_INV_73.jpg
New Kingdom
19th Dynasty, early 13th century BC
Location: Location unknown
Limestone
H 22.6 cm, W 25.6 cm, D 4.4 cm
This relief fragment probably originates from the wall of a private tomb. It shows a left-turned head of a woman. She wears a wig made of strands and braids, which partially obscure the disc-shaped earrings. To the woman's head a decorated band is wound. At the woman's forehead is a lotus flower. On the eye and brow makeup lines are attached. Under the eye with fine lines are well reproduced tears. Typical for the period of the relief is the representation of wrinkles on the neck.
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Egyptian - Oriental Collection
Inv.-Nr. AE_INV_73
Provenance:
1821 purchase by EA Burghart in Egypt
Source: http://bilddatenbank.khm.at/viewArtefact?id=324215&image=AE_INV_73.jpg
Friday, July 25, 2014
Stolen 18th dynasty relief returns from Germany
A painted limestone relief that was stolen and illegally smuggled to Germany during the last century arrives back in Egypt
By Nevine El-Aref , Wednesday 23 Jul 2014
Egypt on Wednesday received from Germany a painted limestone relief that was stolen in the last century from the tomb of 18th dynasty high priest Sobekhotep in the Nobles necropolis on Luxor’s west bank.
Minister of Antiquities and Heritage Mamdouh El-Damati told Ahram Online that the recovery of the relief started a few months ago when he was Egypt’s cultural attaché in Germany and curators at Bonn University Museum were working hard to organise a temporary exhibition there.
During preparations, a curator at the museum spotted the relief and it was confirmed that it was stolen and had been taken from the 18th dynasty tomb of Sobekhotep, a high priest during the reign of King Tuthmose IV.
The limestone relief is in very good condition. It is 30cm tall and 40cm wide. It depicts two figures of Sobehotep standing and making offerings to deities.
The owners of the relief, a German couple, did not know it was stolen because they brought from a British private collection in 1986 and offered it to Bonn University Museum so it could be displayed at the temporary exhibition.
When they found out it was a stolen and illegally smuggled artefact, said El-Damati, they admitted Egypt’s possession of the relief but asked for it to remain in Germany at the Friderish Museum for Ancient Egyptian Artefacts in Al-Rin area in Bonn. Egypt rejected the demand and said it should be returned under antiquities law 117 of 1983 and its amendment in 2010.
Hence the couple agreed to return the relief after putting it on display for three weeks at the exhibition in Bonn.
Egypt’s embassy in Germany stated on its website that Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy held a celebration on the occasion of returning the artefact and praised the couple for returning it.
Hegazy called on antiquities collectors to return the Egyptian artefacts they own voluntarily to where they belong.
He also called on German authorities to cooperate with Egyptian authorities to protect its cultural and archaeological heritage in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing Illicit Import.
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/106876/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Stolen-th-dynasty-relief-returns-from-Germany.aspx
By Nevine El-Aref , Wednesday 23 Jul 2014
Egypt on Wednesday received from Germany a painted limestone relief that was stolen in the last century from the tomb of 18th dynasty high priest Sobekhotep in the Nobles necropolis on Luxor’s west bank.
 |
| Photocredit: Ahram Online |
During preparations, a curator at the museum spotted the relief and it was confirmed that it was stolen and had been taken from the 18th dynasty tomb of Sobekhotep, a high priest during the reign of King Tuthmose IV.
The limestone relief is in very good condition. It is 30cm tall and 40cm wide. It depicts two figures of Sobehotep standing and making offerings to deities.
The owners of the relief, a German couple, did not know it was stolen because they brought from a British private collection in 1986 and offered it to Bonn University Museum so it could be displayed at the temporary exhibition.
When they found out it was a stolen and illegally smuggled artefact, said El-Damati, they admitted Egypt’s possession of the relief but asked for it to remain in Germany at the Friderish Museum for Ancient Egyptian Artefacts in Al-Rin area in Bonn. Egypt rejected the demand and said it should be returned under antiquities law 117 of 1983 and its amendment in 2010.
Hence the couple agreed to return the relief after putting it on display for three weeks at the exhibition in Bonn.
Egypt’s embassy in Germany stated on its website that Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy held a celebration on the occasion of returning the artefact and praised the couple for returning it.
Hegazy called on antiquities collectors to return the Egyptian artefacts they own voluntarily to where they belong.
He also called on German authorities to cooperate with Egyptian authorities to protect its cultural and archaeological heritage in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing Illicit Import.
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/106876/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Stolen-th-dynasty-relief-returns-from-Germany.aspx
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Egyptian Carving Defaced by King Tut's Possible Father Discovered
By Owen Jarus, Live Science Contributor | July 24, 2014
A newly discovered Egyptian carving, which dates back more than 3,300 years, bears the scars of a religious revolution that upended the ancient civilization.
The panel, carved in Nubian Sandstone, was found recently in a tomb at the site of Sedeinga, in modern-day Sudan. It is about 5.8 feet (1.8 meters) tall by 1.3 feet (0.4 m) wide, and was found in two pieces.
Originally, it adorned the walls of a temple at Sedeinga that was dedicated to Queen Tiye (also spelled Tiyi), who died around 1340 B.C. Several centuries after Tiye's death — and after her temple had fallen into ruin — this panel was reused in a tomb as a bench that held a coffin above the floor.
Scars of a revolution
Archaeologists found that the god depicted in the carving, Amun, had his face and hieroglyphs hacked out from the panel. The order to deface the carving came from Akhenaten (reign 1353-1336 B.C.), a pharaoh who tried to focus Egyptian religion around the worship of the "Aten," the sun disk. In his fervor, Akhenaten had the name and images of Amun, a key Egyptian god, obliterated throughout all Egypt-controlled territory. This included the ancient land of Nubia, a territory that is now partly in Sudan.
"All the major inscriptions with the name of Amun in Egypt were erased during his reign," archaeology team member Vincent Francigny, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, told Live Science in an interview.
The carving was originally created for the temple of Queen Tiye — Akhenaten's mother — who may have been alive when the defacement occurred. Even so, Francigny stressed that the desecration of the carving wasn't targeted against Akhenaten's own mom.
A newly discovered Egyptian carving, which dates back more than 3,300 years, bears the scars of a religious revolution that upended the ancient civilization.
The panel, carved in Nubian Sandstone, was found recently in a tomb at the site of Sedeinga, in modern-day Sudan. It is about 5.8 feet (1.8 meters) tall by 1.3 feet (0.4 m) wide, and was found in two pieces.
Originally, it adorned the walls of a temple at Sedeinga that was dedicated to Queen Tiye (also spelled Tiyi), who died around 1340 B.C. Several centuries after Tiye's death — and after her temple had fallen into ruin — this panel was reused in a tomb as a bench that held a coffin above the floor.
 |
| Credit: Photo by V. Francigny © Sedeinga Mission |
Scars of a revolution
Archaeologists found that the god depicted in the carving, Amun, had his face and hieroglyphs hacked out from the panel. The order to deface the carving came from Akhenaten (reign 1353-1336 B.C.), a pharaoh who tried to focus Egyptian religion around the worship of the "Aten," the sun disk. In his fervor, Akhenaten had the name and images of Amun, a key Egyptian god, obliterated throughout all Egypt-controlled territory. This included the ancient land of Nubia, a territory that is now partly in Sudan.
"All the major inscriptions with the name of Amun in Egypt were erased during his reign," archaeology team member Vincent Francigny, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, told Live Science in an interview.
The carving was originally created for the temple of Queen Tiye — Akhenaten's mother — who may have been alive when the defacement occurred. Even so, Francigny stressed that the desecration of the carving wasn't targeted against Akhenaten's own mom.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Wednesday Weekly # 43
Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
POPULAR ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeologists Uncover Lost Population of Ancient Amarna
http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/06052014/article/archaeologists-uncover-lost-population-of-ancient-amarna
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
Open Access Journal: Birmingham Egyptology Journal
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2013/02/coming-soon-birmingham-egyptology-journa.html
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Hair in Egyptian Art for Respect and Reverence in Women.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/07/17/hair-in-egyptian-art-for-respect-and-reverence-in-women/
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
New post by Molly Gleeson:
Wood ID
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/07/16/wood-id/
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
By David Tresilian:
Myths of Cleopatra
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/6808/23/Myths-of-Cleopatra.aspx
TETISHERI
New post by Julia Thorne:
Opening day at the refurbished Garstang Museum
http://www.tetisheri.co.uk/blog/opening-day-at-the-refurbished-garstang-museum
PASTHORIZONS
70,000 Year-old African settlement unearthed
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/07/2014/70000-year-old-african-settlement-unearthed
TT184
International Conference - Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest 17th–19th July 2014
http://tt184en.blogspot.nl/2014/07/international-conference-museum-of-fine.html
DR. GARRY SHAW
Bolton Museum makes bid for £1.8m Egyptology wing
http://garryshawegypt.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/bolton-museum-makes-bid-for-18m.html
BBC NEWS
Northampton Museum's Sekhemka statue in private hands
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-28428637
ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM
Discovering Tutankhamun
http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/discovertut/
THE ART NEWSPAPER
By Martin Bailey:
Ashmolean exhibition reveals the real curse of Tutankhamun
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ashmolean-exhibition-reveals-the-real-curse-of-Tutankhamun/33322
IAE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EGYPTOLOGISTS
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF EGYPTOLOGISTS XI: FLORENCE, ITALY, AUGUST 23–30, 2015
http://www.iae-egyptology.org/
THE ATKINSON
Egyptians Brought Back to Life at The Atkinson
http://www.theatkinson.co.uk/2014/07/egyptians-brought-back-to-life-at-the-atkinson/
POPULAR ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeologists Uncover Lost Population of Ancient Amarna
http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/06052014/article/archaeologists-uncover-lost-population-of-ancient-amarna
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
Open Access Journal: Birmingham Egyptology Journal
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2013/02/coming-soon-birmingham-egyptology-journa.html
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Hair in Egyptian Art for Respect and Reverence in Women.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/07/17/hair-in-egyptian-art-for-respect-and-reverence-in-women/
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
New post by Molly Gleeson:
Wood ID
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/07/16/wood-id/
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
By David Tresilian:
Myths of Cleopatra
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/6808/23/Myths-of-Cleopatra.aspx
TETISHERI
New post by Julia Thorne:
Opening day at the refurbished Garstang Museum
http://www.tetisheri.co.uk/blog/opening-day-at-the-refurbished-garstang-museum
PASTHORIZONS
70,000 Year-old African settlement unearthed
http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/07/2014/70000-year-old-african-settlement-unearthed
TT184
International Conference - Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest 17th–19th July 2014
http://tt184en.blogspot.nl/2014/07/international-conference-museum-of-fine.html
DR. GARRY SHAW
Bolton Museum makes bid for £1.8m Egyptology wing
http://garryshawegypt.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/bolton-museum-makes-bid-for-18m.html
BBC NEWS
Northampton Museum's Sekhemka statue in private hands
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-28428637
ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM
Discovering Tutankhamun
http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/discovertut/
THE ART NEWSPAPER
By Martin Bailey:
Ashmolean exhibition reveals the real curse of Tutankhamun
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ashmolean-exhibition-reveals-the-real-curse-of-Tutankhamun/33322
IAE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EGYPTOLOGISTS
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF EGYPTOLOGISTS XI: FLORENCE, ITALY, AUGUST 23–30, 2015
http://www.iae-egyptology.org/
THE ATKINSON
Egyptians Brought Back to Life at The Atkinson
http://www.theatkinson.co.uk/2014/07/egyptians-brought-back-to-life-at-the-atkinson/
Monday, July 21, 2014
Archaeologists Uncover Lost Population of Ancient Amarna
Burial remains shed new light on the "missing 6,000" of ancient Egypt's Amarna period.
It remained a mystery for decades.
Since archaeologist F.Ll. Griffith's excavations in the 1920's at the ancient site of the pharaoh Akhenaten's short-lived new capital city of Akhetaten (modern Amarna), archaeologists have been puzzled about the whereabouts of the remains of the city's commoner population – the people who toiled to build and maintain Akhenaten’s sacred edifices and infrastructure -- and more specifically, the estimated 6,000 people who died during the short 15-year period of the city’s construction and development.
“A will-of-the-wisp, the dream of a rich unplundered cemetery of the middle classes at El-Amarneh, full of choice vases and amulets, beckons to each successive explorer,” wrote Griffith in the report for his 1923 excavation season.*
Many of the elaborate unfinished rock-cut tombs of Akhenaten’s elite courtiers and high officials had already been found. They grace the cliff faces of the northern end of the Amarna city plain and the face of a low escarpment at the southern end of the ancient city. They can be plainly seen today by modern visitors.
But the burials of the deceased of the estimated 30,000 commoners and laborers remained elusive – until 2001, when archaeologist Barry Kemp of the University of Cambridge began to see the first signs. Kemp has directed excavations and surveys at Amarna for the Egypt Exploration Society since 1977.
It remained a mystery for decades.
Since archaeologist F.Ll. Griffith's excavations in the 1920's at the ancient site of the pharaoh Akhenaten's short-lived new capital city of Akhetaten (modern Amarna), archaeologists have been puzzled about the whereabouts of the remains of the city's commoner population – the people who toiled to build and maintain Akhenaten’s sacred edifices and infrastructure -- and more specifically, the estimated 6,000 people who died during the short 15-year period of the city’s construction and development.
“A will-of-the-wisp, the dream of a rich unplundered cemetery of the middle classes at El-Amarneh, full of choice vases and amulets, beckons to each successive explorer,” wrote Griffith in the report for his 1923 excavation season.*
Many of the elaborate unfinished rock-cut tombs of Akhenaten’s elite courtiers and high officials had already been found. They grace the cliff faces of the northern end of the Amarna city plain and the face of a low escarpment at the southern end of the ancient city. They can be plainly seen today by modern visitors.
But the burials of the deceased of the estimated 30,000 commoners and laborers remained elusive – until 2001, when archaeologist Barry Kemp of the University of Cambridge began to see the first signs. Kemp has directed excavations and surveys at Amarna for the Egypt Exploration Society since 1977.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Myths of Cleopatra
A French exhibition is revisiting the story of the ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra, writes David Tresilian in Paris
Visitors to the French capital this summer have the opportunity to revisit what is known about the ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra courtesy of an exhibition, The Myth of Cleopatra, at the Pinacothèque de Paris in the place de la Madeleine.
Bringing together material evidence from mostly European collections, the exhibition also examines Cleopatra’s afterlife in painting, literature and film. While no new discoveries are on offer, one leaves the show feeling reinvigorated and with interest in the ancient Egyptian queen renewed.
It can never be known what truly lies behind the stories of Cleopatra that have come down from antiquity, but the ancient writers are at one in suggesting that had it not been for Cleopatra’s influence over the Roman generals Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, the most powerful men in the world at the time, Egypt would have lost its independence far earlier than it did. As it was, the country was only annexed by Octavius Caesar after Cleopatra’s military defeat and suicide in 30 BCE.
Whatever else she was, these writers suggest, Cleopatra was supremely clever and a consummate politician. Though the seventeenth-century French writer Blaise Pascal later famously suggested that “had Cleopatra’s nose been shorter, the face of the world would have changed,” it seems that Cleopatra’s fascination lay less in her physical beauty and more in her quickness, intelligence and cultivation.
Visitors to the French capital this summer have the opportunity to revisit what is known about the ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra courtesy of an exhibition, The Myth of Cleopatra, at the Pinacothèque de Paris in the place de la Madeleine.
Bringing together material evidence from mostly European collections, the exhibition also examines Cleopatra’s afterlife in painting, literature and film. While no new discoveries are on offer, one leaves the show feeling reinvigorated and with interest in the ancient Egyptian queen renewed.
It can never be known what truly lies behind the stories of Cleopatra that have come down from antiquity, but the ancient writers are at one in suggesting that had it not been for Cleopatra’s influence over the Roman generals Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, the most powerful men in the world at the time, Egypt would have lost its independence far earlier than it did. As it was, the country was only annexed by Octavius Caesar after Cleopatra’s military defeat and suicide in 30 BCE.
Whatever else she was, these writers suggest, Cleopatra was supremely clever and a consummate politician. Though the seventeenth-century French writer Blaise Pascal later famously suggested that “had Cleopatra’s nose been shorter, the face of the world would have changed,” it seems that Cleopatra’s fascination lay less in her physical beauty and more in her quickness, intelligence and cultivation.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Wednesday Weekly # 42
Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
THE INDEPENDENT
Saharan remains may be evidence of first race war, 13,000 years ago
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/saharan-remains-may-be-evidence-of-first-race-war-13000-years-ago-9603632.html
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
The Digital Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Statues, Reliefs, and Paintings
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-digital-topographical-bibliography.html
Checklist of Editions of Greek, Latin, Demotic, and Coptic Papyri, Ostraca, and Tablets
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/07/checklist-of-editions-of-greek-latin.html
(Partially) Open Access Series: Oxyrhynchus Papyri 1-15
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2010/06/open-access-oxyrhynchus-papyri.html
EGYPT AT THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM
An intern’s perspective: Cataloguing Egypt at Manchester Museum
http://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/an-interns-perspective-cataloguing-egypt-at-manchester-museum/
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Hair in Egyptian Art for Expressing Respect.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/07/10/hair-in-egyptian-art-for-expressing-respect/
THE BRITISH MUSEUM BLOG
By Renée Friedman, curator, British Museum:
Violence and climate change in prehistoric Egypt and Sudan
http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2014/07/14/violence-and-climate-change-in-prehistoric-egypt-and-sudan/
AHRAM ONLINE
By Amer Sultan:
Northampton and Christie’s insist on Sekhemka sale, claim Egypt approves
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105829/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Northampton-and-Christie%E2%80%99s-insist-on-Sekhemka-sale.aspx
Ancient Egyptian statue sells for £16 million in UK despite outcry
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105963/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Ancient-Egyptian-statue-sells-for-%C2%A3-million-in-UK-.aspx
By Nevine El-Aref:
Islamic, pharaonic items returned to Egypt from Denmark and France
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/105941/Heritage/Islamic/Islamic,-pharaonic-items-returned-to-Egypt-from-De.aspx
DAILY NEWS EGYPT
By Nadia Ismail:
The business of death
Book review: “Mrs Tsenhor: A Female Entrepreneur in Ancient Egypt”, by Koenraad Donker van Heel
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/07/09/business-death/
EGYPTOLOGICAL
By Kate Phizackerley:
Queen Duathathor-Henuttawy (21st Dynasty), Wife of King Pinedjem I
http://egyptological.com/2014/07/08/henuttawy-12191
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New post by Thomas H. Greiner:
Crisis at Christie’s: the Sale of the Statue of Sekhemka and its Implications on Cultural Heritage
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/07/10/crisis-at-christies-the-sale-of-the-statue-of-sekhemka-and-its-implications-on-cultural-heritage/
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANIMAL BIO BANK
National Mummy Week
http://ancientegyptbiobank.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/national-mummy-week/
DAILY MAIL ONLINE
The car boot bargain that turned out to be TREASURE: £3 tool revealed as 4,500-year-old ancient Egyptian hammer - and it could fetch up to £4,000
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2691573/The-car-boot-bargain-turned-TREASURE-3-tool-revealed-4-500-year-old-ancient-Egyptian-hammer-fetch-4-000.html
ACROSSBORDERS
New post by Julia Budka:
The long-lasting ceramic tradition on Sai Island
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/the-long-lasting-ceramic-tradition-on-sai-island/
KRISTIAN STRUTT
Blog Catch-up #1: Archaeology and Survey in the Nile Delta at Naukratis
http://kdstrutt.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/blog-catch-up-1-archaeology-and-survey-in-the-nile-delta-at-naukratis/
MIKE PITTS - DIGGING DEEPER
Six things about Sekhemka
http://mikepitts.wordpress.com/2014/07/13/six-things-about-sekhemka/
SOUTH ASASIF CONSERVATION PROJECT BLOG
Blog Post 6: A Conservator’s Perspective
http://southasasif.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/blog-post-6-a-conservators-perspective/
MEDICINE AND MAGIC IN ANCIENT EGYPT
By Sofia Lodi:
Medicinal Uses of the Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus Communis)
http://nefertotsie.blogspot.nl/2014/07/medicinal-uses-of-castor-bean-plant.html
DAY OF ARCHAEOLOGY
A Day of archaeology in Assasif (Luxor)
http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/a-day-of-archaeology-in-assasif-luxor/
Presenting Archaeology: The Museum curator
http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/present-ing-archaeology-the-museum-curator/
The Foreign Archaeology Collection at Bristol Museum
http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/the-foreign-archaeology-collection-at-bristol-museum/
LIVESCIENCE
By Owen Jarus:
Ancient Priest's Tomb Painting Discovered Near Great Pyramid at Giza
http://www.livescience.com/46806-tomb-painting-discovered-near-great-pyramid.html
THE INDEPENDENT
Saharan remains may be evidence of first race war, 13,000 years ago
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/saharan-remains-may-be-evidence-of-first-race-war-13000-years-ago-9603632.html
THE ANCIENT WORLD ONLINE
The Digital Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Statues, Reliefs, and Paintings
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-digital-topographical-bibliography.html
Checklist of Editions of Greek, Latin, Demotic, and Coptic Papyri, Ostraca, and Tablets
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2014/07/checklist-of-editions-of-greek-latin.html
(Partially) Open Access Series: Oxyrhynchus Papyri 1-15
http://ancientworldonline.blogspot.nl/2010/06/open-access-oxyrhynchus-papyri.html
EGYPT AT THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM
An intern’s perspective: Cataloguing Egypt at Manchester Museum
http://egyptmanchester.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/an-interns-perspective-cataloguing-egypt-at-manchester-museum/
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Hair in Egyptian Art for Expressing Respect.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/07/10/hair-in-egyptian-art-for-expressing-respect/
THE BRITISH MUSEUM BLOG
By Renée Friedman, curator, British Museum:
Violence and climate change in prehistoric Egypt and Sudan
http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2014/07/14/violence-and-climate-change-in-prehistoric-egypt-and-sudan/
AHRAM ONLINE
By Amer Sultan:
Northampton and Christie’s insist on Sekhemka sale, claim Egypt approves
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105829/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Northampton-and-Christie%E2%80%99s-insist-on-Sekhemka-sale.aspx
Ancient Egyptian statue sells for £16 million in UK despite outcry
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105963/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Ancient-Egyptian-statue-sells-for-%C2%A3-million-in-UK-.aspx
By Nevine El-Aref:
Islamic, pharaonic items returned to Egypt from Denmark and France
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/43/105941/Heritage/Islamic/Islamic,-pharaonic-items-returned-to-Egypt-from-De.aspx
DAILY NEWS EGYPT
By Nadia Ismail:
The business of death
Book review: “Mrs Tsenhor: A Female Entrepreneur in Ancient Egypt”, by Koenraad Donker van Heel
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/07/09/business-death/
EGYPTOLOGICAL
By Kate Phizackerley:
Queen Duathathor-Henuttawy (21st Dynasty), Wife of King Pinedjem I
http://egyptological.com/2014/07/08/henuttawy-12191
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New post by Thomas H. Greiner:
Crisis at Christie’s: the Sale of the Statue of Sekhemka and its Implications on Cultural Heritage
http://thomasgreiner.com/2014/07/10/crisis-at-christies-the-sale-of-the-statue-of-sekhemka-and-its-implications-on-cultural-heritage/
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANIMAL BIO BANK
National Mummy Week
http://ancientegyptbiobank.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/national-mummy-week/
DAILY MAIL ONLINE
The car boot bargain that turned out to be TREASURE: £3 tool revealed as 4,500-year-old ancient Egyptian hammer - and it could fetch up to £4,000
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2691573/The-car-boot-bargain-turned-TREASURE-3-tool-revealed-4-500-year-old-ancient-Egyptian-hammer-fetch-4-000.html
ACROSSBORDERS
New post by Julia Budka:
The long-lasting ceramic tradition on Sai Island
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/the-long-lasting-ceramic-tradition-on-sai-island/
KRISTIAN STRUTT
Blog Catch-up #1: Archaeology and Survey in the Nile Delta at Naukratis
http://kdstrutt.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/blog-catch-up-1-archaeology-and-survey-in-the-nile-delta-at-naukratis/
MIKE PITTS - DIGGING DEEPER
Six things about Sekhemka
http://mikepitts.wordpress.com/2014/07/13/six-things-about-sekhemka/
SOUTH ASASIF CONSERVATION PROJECT BLOG
Blog Post 6: A Conservator’s Perspective
http://southasasif.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/blog-post-6-a-conservators-perspective/
MEDICINE AND MAGIC IN ANCIENT EGYPT
By Sofia Lodi:
Medicinal Uses of the Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus Communis)
http://nefertotsie.blogspot.nl/2014/07/medicinal-uses-of-castor-bean-plant.html
DAY OF ARCHAEOLOGY
A Day of archaeology in Assasif (Luxor)
http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/a-day-of-archaeology-in-assasif-luxor/
Presenting Archaeology: The Museum curator
http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/present-ing-archaeology-the-museum-curator/
The Foreign Archaeology Collection at Bristol Museum
http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/the-foreign-archaeology-collection-at-bristol-museum/
LIVESCIENCE
By Owen Jarus:
Ancient Priest's Tomb Painting Discovered Near Great Pyramid at Giza
http://www.livescience.com/46806-tomb-painting-discovered-near-great-pyramid.html
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
The business of death
Book review: “Mrs Tsenhor: A Female Entrepreneur in Ancient Egypt”, by Koenraad Donker van Heel
By Nadia Ismail
Death was big business to the Ancient Egyptians, with their tombs and reliquaries also providing some of the best information on their life and culture. In the intriguing new book, “Mrs Tsenhor: A Female Entrepreneur in Ancient Egypt”, Koenraad Donker van Heel introduces readers to Tsenhor, “sister of Horus”, a strongly spoken and highly independent working woman who made her fortune through the industry of death.
Born in 550 BCE in Karnak, Tsenhor is described as one of a family of chaochytes, hired to bring offerings on behalf of families to the dead in their tombs on the west bank of the Nile. Tsenhor inherited her work from her father, Nesmin, and continued this work alongside her second husband, whom she is described as having married on equal terms.
In exchange for her work, Tsenhor received food items, high quality farm land, foods amongst other things. Such was the demand for the services of chaochytes like Tsenhor, that she amassed not only a house that she could afford to restructure, but she also owned at least one slave and amassed an array of assets to her name. All this was done with little male input.
However, with a good chunk of surviving evidence, either unclear or written in a form of hieroglyphs that only a few Egyptologists can understand, van Heel has a tough job of creating a solid story around Tsenhor.
By Nadia Ismail
Death was big business to the Ancient Egyptians, with their tombs and reliquaries also providing some of the best information on their life and culture. In the intriguing new book, “Mrs Tsenhor: A Female Entrepreneur in Ancient Egypt”, Koenraad Donker van Heel introduces readers to Tsenhor, “sister of Horus”, a strongly spoken and highly independent working woman who made her fortune through the industry of death.
Born in 550 BCE in Karnak, Tsenhor is described as one of a family of chaochytes, hired to bring offerings on behalf of families to the dead in their tombs on the west bank of the Nile. Tsenhor inherited her work from her father, Nesmin, and continued this work alongside her second husband, whom she is described as having married on equal terms.
In exchange for her work, Tsenhor received food items, high quality farm land, foods amongst other things. Such was the demand for the services of chaochytes like Tsenhor, that she amassed not only a house that she could afford to restructure, but she also owned at least one slave and amassed an array of assets to her name. All this was done with little male input.
However, with a good chunk of surviving evidence, either unclear or written in a form of hieroglyphs that only a few Egyptologists can understand, van Heel has a tough job of creating a solid story around Tsenhor.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Saharan remains may be evidence of first race war, 13,000 years ago
Scientists are investigating what may be the oldest identified race war 13,000 years after it raged on the fringes of the Sahara.
French scientists working in collaboration with the British Museum have been examining dozens of skeletons, a majority of whom appear to have been killed by archers using flint-tipped arrows.
The bones – from Jebel Sahaba on the east bank of the Nile in northern Sudan – are from victims of the world’s oldest known relatively large-scale human armed conflict.
Over the past two years anthropologists from Bordeaux University have discovered literally dozens of previously undetected arrow impact marks and flint arrow head fragments on and around the bones of the victims.
This is in addition to many arrow heads and impact marks already found embedded in some of the bones during an earlier examination of the skeletons back in the 1960s. The remains – the contents of an entire early cemetery – were found in 1964 by the prominent American archaeologist, Fred Wendorf, but, until the current investigations, had never been examined using more modern, 21 century, technology.
Some of the skeletal material has just gone on permanent display as part of the British Museum’s new Early Egypt gallery which opens officially today. The bones – from Jebel Sahaba on the east bank of the River Nile in northern Sudan – are from victims of the world’s oldest known relatively large-scale human armed conflict.
French scientists working in collaboration with the British Museum have been examining dozens of skeletons, a majority of whom appear to have been killed by archers using flint-tipped arrows.
The bones – from Jebel Sahaba on the east bank of the Nile in northern Sudan – are from victims of the world’s oldest known relatively large-scale human armed conflict.
Over the past two years anthropologists from Bordeaux University have discovered literally dozens of previously undetected arrow impact marks and flint arrow head fragments on and around the bones of the victims.
This is in addition to many arrow heads and impact marks already found embedded in some of the bones during an earlier examination of the skeletons back in the 1960s. The remains – the contents of an entire early cemetery – were found in 1964 by the prominent American archaeologist, Fred Wendorf, but, until the current investigations, had never been examined using more modern, 21 century, technology.
Some of the skeletal material has just gone on permanent display as part of the British Museum’s new Early Egypt gallery which opens officially today. The bones – from Jebel Sahaba on the east bank of the River Nile in northern Sudan – are from victims of the world’s oldest known relatively large-scale human armed conflict.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Museum Pieces - Papyrus with a winged deity
Papyrus with a winged deity
The strange winged creature standing in front of the serpent in this scene represents several destructive forces, good and bad, inherent in various Egyptian gods. These powers were not normally represented in specific shapes; hence, the unusual being here, like the winged figure in the large stone relief also in this case, is not a single god but a representation of several abstractions. The god Bes was one of the deities associated with this composite being; as a guardian of women and children, he acquired the role of protector of the birth of kings and of the sun, which sprang forth anew each morning from the underworld, where it had been threatened by snakes during the night. The images of the child and the snake on the papyrus reflect these concepts.
Medium: Papyrus, ink
Possible Place Made: Heliopolis, Egypt
Dates: 7th - 4th century B.C.E.
Period: Late Period
Accession Number: 47.218.156a-d
Credit Line: Bequest of Theodora Wilbour from the collection of her father, Charles Edwin Wilbour
Rights Statement: No known copyright restrictions
Caption: Papyrus, 7th - 4th century B.C.E. Papyrus, ink, a: Glass: 7 1/2 x 26 3/8 in. (19 x 67 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Theodora Wilbour from the collection of her father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 47.218.156a-d
Image: detail, 47.218.156a-c_detail_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Catalogue Description: Hieratic script
Source:
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/60794/Papyrus
Medium: Papyrus, ink
Possible Place Made: Heliopolis, Egypt
Dates: 7th - 4th century B.C.E.
Period: Late Period
Accession Number: 47.218.156a-d
Credit Line: Bequest of Theodora Wilbour from the collection of her father, Charles Edwin Wilbour
Rights Statement: No known copyright restrictions
Caption: Papyrus, 7th - 4th century B.C.E. Papyrus, ink, a: Glass: 7 1/2 x 26 3/8 in. (19 x 67 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Theodora Wilbour from the collection of her father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 47.218.156a-d
Image: detail, 47.218.156a-c_detail_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Catalogue Description: Hieratic script
Source:
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/60794/Papyrus
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Wednesday Weekly # 41
Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
By Molly Gleeson:
Treating fragments of a Middle Kingdom painted wooden coffin
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/07/06/treating-fragments-of-a-middle-kingdom-painted-wooden-coffin/
EGYPTIAN'S
New post by Timothy Reid:
The Lost Pharaohs
http://tim-theegyptians.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-lost-pharaohs.html
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Hair in Egyptian Art for Expressing Dance.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/07/03/hair-in-egyptian-art-for-expressing-dance/
EGYPT CENTRE, SWANSEA
By Carolyn Graves-Brown:
The power of the ugly?
http://egyptcentre.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-power-of-ugly.html
NEWS.COM.AU
Urban sinkhole reveals lost memorial chapel to Pharaoh Mentuhotep II under Abydos’ streets
http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/urban-sinkhole-reveals-lost-memorial-chapel-to-pharaoh-mentuhotep-ii-under-abydos-streets/story-e6frfqc0-1226981287980?from=public_rss
AHRAM ONLINE
By Nevine El-Aref:
King Mentuhotep II's chapel unearthed in Sohag
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105292/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/King-Mentuhotep-IIs-chapel-unearthed-in-Sohag.aspx
UK museum selling Egyptian artefact, officials to take legal action
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105605/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/UK-museum-selling-Egyptian-artefact,-officials-to-.aspx
HERITAGE DAILY
Egyptian Government threatens legal action to stop the sale of Sekhemka
http://www.heritagedaily.com/2014/07/egytian-governments-last-attempt-to-stop-the-sale-of-sekhemka/104056
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANIMAL BIO BANK
Another busy week coming to a close….
http://ancientegyptbiobank.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/another-busy-week-coming-to-a-close/
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Zahi Hawass is on the stump again for ancient Egypt's Pharaohs
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-ca-egyptian-antiquities-zahi-hawass-20140629-story.html#page=1
DEMONTHINGS - ANCIENT EGYPTIAN DEMONOLOGY PROJECT
Egyptologist & demonologist Rita Lucarelli now at UC Berkeley!
Rita Lucarelli, one of the original co-organizers of the Ancient Egyptian Demonology Project has now been appointed Assistant Professor of Egyptology in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley!
http://www.demonthings.com/rita-lucarelli-berkeley/
Article on Demons in Ancient Egyptian Book of Two Ways
http://www.demonthings.com/article-on-demons-in-ancient-egyptian-book-of-two-ways/
ACROSSBORDERS
Faunal remains from Sai Island, New Kingdom town: Pigs at SAV1 North
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/faunal-remains-from-sai-island-new-kingdom-town-pigs-at-sav1-north/
MUSEUM EGYPTOLOGY
Interpreting Egyptian art, The British Museum.
http://museumegyptology.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/interpreting-egyptian-art-the-british-museum/
PAP SCIENCE & SCHOLARSHIP IN POLAND
Scientists are studying mummies from the Temple of Hatshepsut
http://www.naukawpolsce.pap.pl/en/news/news,401026,scientists-are-studying-mummies-from-the-temple-of-hatshepsut.html
MEDICINE AND MAGIC IN ANCIENT EGYPT
By Sofia Lodi:
The Use of Natron in Ancient Egyptian Medicine
http://nefertotsie.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-use-of-natron-in-ancient-egyptian.html
IN THE ARTIFACT LAB
By Molly Gleeson:
Treating fragments of a Middle Kingdom painted wooden coffin
http://www.penn.museum/sites/artifactlab/2014/07/06/treating-fragments-of-a-middle-kingdom-painted-wooden-coffin/
EGYPTIAN'S
New post by Timothy Reid:
The Lost Pharaohs
http://tim-theegyptians.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-lost-pharaohs.html
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Hair in Egyptian Art for Expressing Dance.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/07/03/hair-in-egyptian-art-for-expressing-dance/
EGYPT CENTRE, SWANSEA
By Carolyn Graves-Brown:
The power of the ugly?
http://egyptcentre.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-power-of-ugly.html
NEWS.COM.AU
Urban sinkhole reveals lost memorial chapel to Pharaoh Mentuhotep II under Abydos’ streets
http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/urban-sinkhole-reveals-lost-memorial-chapel-to-pharaoh-mentuhotep-ii-under-abydos-streets/story-e6frfqc0-1226981287980?from=public_rss
AHRAM ONLINE
By Nevine El-Aref:
King Mentuhotep II's chapel unearthed in Sohag
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105292/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/King-Mentuhotep-IIs-chapel-unearthed-in-Sohag.aspx
UK museum selling Egyptian artefact, officials to take legal action
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105605/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/UK-museum-selling-Egyptian-artefact,-officials-to-.aspx
HERITAGE DAILY
Egyptian Government threatens legal action to stop the sale of Sekhemka
http://www.heritagedaily.com/2014/07/egytian-governments-last-attempt-to-stop-the-sale-of-sekhemka/104056
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANIMAL BIO BANK
Another busy week coming to a close….
http://ancientegyptbiobank.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/another-busy-week-coming-to-a-close/
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Zahi Hawass is on the stump again for ancient Egypt's Pharaohs
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-ca-egyptian-antiquities-zahi-hawass-20140629-story.html#page=1
DEMONTHINGS - ANCIENT EGYPTIAN DEMONOLOGY PROJECT
Egyptologist & demonologist Rita Lucarelli now at UC Berkeley!
Rita Lucarelli, one of the original co-organizers of the Ancient Egyptian Demonology Project has now been appointed Assistant Professor of Egyptology in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley!
http://www.demonthings.com/rita-lucarelli-berkeley/
Article on Demons in Ancient Egyptian Book of Two Ways
http://www.demonthings.com/article-on-demons-in-ancient-egyptian-book-of-two-ways/
ACROSSBORDERS
Faunal remains from Sai Island, New Kingdom town: Pigs at SAV1 North
http://acrossborders.oeaw.ac.at/faunal-remains-from-sai-island-new-kingdom-town-pigs-at-sav1-north/
MUSEUM EGYPTOLOGY
Interpreting Egyptian art, The British Museum.
http://museumegyptology.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/interpreting-egyptian-art-the-british-museum/
PAP SCIENCE & SCHOLARSHIP IN POLAND
Scientists are studying mummies from the Temple of Hatshepsut
http://www.naukawpolsce.pap.pl/en/news/news,401026,scientists-are-studying-mummies-from-the-temple-of-hatshepsut.html
MEDICINE AND MAGIC IN ANCIENT EGYPT
By Sofia Lodi:
The Use of Natron in Ancient Egyptian Medicine
http://nefertotsie.blogspot.nl/2014/07/the-use-of-natron-in-ancient-egyptian.html
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Scientists are studying mummies from the Temple of Hatshepsut
Scientists from the Polish-Egyptian Archaeological and Preservation Mission at the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari are using computed tomography and X-ray to study more than 2.5 thousand years old mummies of the priests of the god Montu - told PAP Zbigniew E. Szafranski, director of the Research Station of the Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of Warsaw in Cairo.
The project began in May. The first mummies, which are currently stored in the Luxor Museum, have already been scanned. The next activities are planned in Cairo, at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) and the Egyptian Museum.
Mummies studied by the scientists come from the tomb of the priests of the god Montu excavated in the Temple of Hatshepsut in the 1930s, nearly a thousand years after the death of the woman pharaoh the place changed its function from the temple to the burial site. The name of the valley, in which the temple is located - Deir el-Bahri - in Arabic means "Monastery of the North", a reference to the later still history of the place, which in the 5th-12th century was the location of Egyptian Coptic Christian church. Priests of Montu lived during the reign of the XXV Dynasty, the so-called Third Intermediate Period. They worshiped their god on the other bank of the Nile - in the temple complex which was a part of Karnak.
"In recent years, we re-excavated the tomb located in the Royal Mortuary Cult Complex of the temple. Due to the fact that the documentation methods almost 100 years ago were not perfect, we decided to accurately describe and document everything. In the process, we discovered objects that previous researchers had missed - explained Dr. Zbigniew E. Szafranski. - The study was preceded by documentation of sarcophagi, cartonnage and mummies currently in Egyptian museums".
The project began in May. The first mummies, which are currently stored in the Luxor Museum, have already been scanned. The next activities are planned in Cairo, at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) and the Egyptian Museum.
Mummies studied by the scientists come from the tomb of the priests of the god Montu excavated in the Temple of Hatshepsut in the 1930s, nearly a thousand years after the death of the woman pharaoh the place changed its function from the temple to the burial site. The name of the valley, in which the temple is located - Deir el-Bahri - in Arabic means "Monastery of the North", a reference to the later still history of the place, which in the 5th-12th century was the location of Egyptian Coptic Christian church. Priests of Montu lived during the reign of the XXV Dynasty, the so-called Third Intermediate Period. They worshiped their god on the other bank of the Nile - in the temple complex which was a part of Karnak.
"In recent years, we re-excavated the tomb located in the Royal Mortuary Cult Complex of the temple. Due to the fact that the documentation methods almost 100 years ago were not perfect, we decided to accurately describe and document everything. In the process, we discovered objects that previous researchers had missed - explained Dr. Zbigniew E. Szafranski. - The study was preceded by documentation of sarcophagi, cartonnage and mummies currently in Egyptian museums".
Thursday, July 3, 2014
King Mentuhotep II's chapel unearthed in Sohag
A well preserved limestone chapel from the reign of the 11th Dynasty king Mentuhotep II has been unearthed in Sohag
by Nevine El-Aref , Wednesday 2 Jul 2014
At the Arabet Abydos area in Sohag, where the large temple of King Seti I is located, an Egyptian excavation mission from the Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage (MAH) stumbled upon a limestone ancient Egyptian chapel from the 11th Dynasty.
The excavation work came within the framework of a cleaning programme carried out by the MAH in that area, after officers of the tourism and antiquities police caught red handed inhabitants trying to illegally excavate the area in front their residences in search of treasured artefacts.
Ali El-Asfar, head of the ancient Egyptian Section at the MAH, told Ahram Online that the chapel is in a very well preserved condition and is located 150 metres north to the temple of King Seti I.
Early studies on the hieroglyphic text engraved on the chapel's walls suggest that it belongs to the 11th Dynasty king Mentuhotep II, in honour of the god Osiris after his unification with the local god of Sohag, Khenti-Amenty.
The chapel is now under restoration as some of its engraving was subjected to damage from subterranean water.
"It is a very important discovery that will reveal more of the history of King Mentuhotep II," Minister of Antiquties and Heritage Mamdouh El-Damaty told Ahram Online.
He explained that monuments belonging to Mentuhotep II are rare in Abydos, despite that Mentuhotep II built several religious edifices in Abydos in an attempt to bolster his power in the ancient city through drawing closer Khenti-Amenty.
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105292/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/King-Mentuhotep-IIs-chapel-unearthed-in-Sohag.aspx
by Nevine El-Aref , Wednesday 2 Jul 2014
At the Arabet Abydos area in Sohag, where the large temple of King Seti I is located, an Egyptian excavation mission from the Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage (MAH) stumbled upon a limestone ancient Egyptian chapel from the 11th Dynasty.
The excavation work came within the framework of a cleaning programme carried out by the MAH in that area, after officers of the tourism and antiquities police caught red handed inhabitants trying to illegally excavate the area in front their residences in search of treasured artefacts.
Ali El-Asfar, head of the ancient Egyptian Section at the MAH, told Ahram Online that the chapel is in a very well preserved condition and is located 150 metres north to the temple of King Seti I.
Early studies on the hieroglyphic text engraved on the chapel's walls suggest that it belongs to the 11th Dynasty king Mentuhotep II, in honour of the god Osiris after his unification with the local god of Sohag, Khenti-Amenty.
The chapel is now under restoration as some of its engraving was subjected to damage from subterranean water.
"It is a very important discovery that will reveal more of the history of King Mentuhotep II," Minister of Antiquties and Heritage Mamdouh El-Damaty told Ahram Online.
He explained that monuments belonging to Mentuhotep II are rare in Abydos, despite that Mentuhotep II built several religious edifices in Abydos in an attempt to bolster his power in the ancient city through drawing closer Khenti-Amenty.
Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105292/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/King-Mentuhotep-IIs-chapel-unearthed-in-Sohag.aspx
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Wednesday Weekly # 40
Welcome to the Wednesday Weekly, your weekly dose of links to Egyptology news, articles, blogs, events and more!
LUXOR TIMES
Ancient Roman city discovered under the silt of the Nile Delta
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/06/ancient-roman-city-discovered-under.html
Exclusive Full story: Mahat chapel of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II discovered in Abydos by Egyptian archaeologists
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/07/exclusive-full-story-mahat-chapel-of.html
THE EGYPTIAN HISTORY PODCAST
Episode 31: Seven Empty Years
Nebtawyre Montuhotep IV.
http://egyptianhistory.libsyn.com/episode-31-seven-empty-years
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Offering the Make-up in Ancient Egypt. Funerary rites get into Egyptian Art.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/06/25/the-green-make-up-is-the-udjat-eye-in-ancient-egypt/
THE BRITISH MUSEUM BLOG
By Marie Vandenbeusch, curator, British Museum:
Tattoos in ancient Egypt and Sudan
http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2014/06/26/tattoos-in-ancient-egypt-and-sudan/
EGYPTOLOGY NEWS
The latest Amarna update from Barry Kemp and Anna Stevens - 16th June 2014
http://egyptology.blogspot.nl/2014/06/the-latest-amarna-update-from-barry.html
AHRAM ONLINE
Egypt recovers 24 smuggled artefacts from Germany
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/104823/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypt-recovers--smuggled-artefacts-from-Germany.aspx
Ancient Egyptian objects, Islamic coins recovered
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105110/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Ancient-Egyptian-objects,-Islamic-coins-recovered.aspx
Roman city located near Rosetta
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/41/105138/Heritage/GrecoRoman/Roman-city-located-near-Rosetta.aspx
LUXOR TIMES
Ancient Roman city discovered under the silt of the Nile Delta
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/06/ancient-roman-city-discovered-under.html
Exclusive Full story: Mahat chapel of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II discovered in Abydos by Egyptian archaeologists
http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.nl/2014/07/exclusive-full-story-mahat-chapel-of.html
THE EGYPTIAN HISTORY PODCAST
Episode 31: Seven Empty Years
Nebtawyre Montuhotep IV.
http://egyptianhistory.libsyn.com/episode-31-seven-empty-years
HAIR AND DEATH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
by María Rosa Valdesogo:
Offering the Make-up in Ancient Egypt. Funerary rites get into Egyptian Art.
http://hairanddeathinancientegypt.com/2014/06/25/the-green-make-up-is-the-udjat-eye-in-ancient-egypt/
THE BRITISH MUSEUM BLOG
By Marie Vandenbeusch, curator, British Museum:
Tattoos in ancient Egypt and Sudan
http://blog.britishmuseum.org/2014/06/26/tattoos-in-ancient-egypt-and-sudan/
EGYPTOLOGY NEWS
The latest Amarna update from Barry Kemp and Anna Stevens - 16th June 2014
http://egyptology.blogspot.nl/2014/06/the-latest-amarna-update-from-barry.html
AHRAM ONLINE
Egypt recovers 24 smuggled artefacts from Germany
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/104823/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Egypt-recovers--smuggled-artefacts-from-Germany.aspx
Ancient Egyptian objects, Islamic coins recovered
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/105110/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Ancient-Egyptian-objects,-Islamic-coins-recovered.aspx
Roman city located near Rosetta
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/41/105138/Heritage/GrecoRoman/Roman-city-located-near-Rosetta.aspx
TETISHERI
New post by Julia Thorne:
New Egyptology book releases: May 2014
ANCIENT EGYPT AND A MAPLE LEAF
New blogpost by Thomas H. Greiner:
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ANIMAL BIO BANK
More Experimental Mummies!
WONDERS & MARVELS
by Annie Shanley (Atlanta Science Tavern Contributor):
Man’s Best Friend: Dogs in Pharaonic Egypt
WALES ONLINE
Welsh 'sock' saves the 3,500-year-old Djoser Pyramid
THE CAIRO POST
Egypt recovers 24 ancient artifacts from Germany
ACROSSBORDERS
by Giulia d'Ercole:
From Abri, Sudan to Asparn, Austria: experimenting with ancient recipes for making pottery
SOUTH ASASIF CONSERVATION PROJECT BLOG
Blog Post 5
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY
The mask of no return?
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