Edition - April, 2011
Who is the KV55 mummy?
In her article DNA Shows that KV55 Mummy Probably Not Akhenaten on News From the Valley of the Kings, Kate Phizackerley explains why she believe the DNA evidence points to the KV55 mummy not being Akhenaten, contrary to the views of Dr Hawass. Joyce Filer who has examined the skeleton also believes it shows a […] [more…]
By Kate Phizackerley
Eye of Ra, Eye of Horus
Introduction. The Eye of Ra, Eye of Horus and wedjat eye are all different names given to representations of eyes with similar distinctive markings which appear throughout Ancient Egypt on tomb and temple surfaces, on objects and in the form of jewellery and amulets. The underlying beliefs and ideas associated with these representations are often confusing, particularly given that the different forms of the eye are not always well characterized and distinguished from each other. [more…]
A beginner’s guide to dating the Predynastic – Part 2
Introduction. The topic of relative dating was dealt with in Part 1, a previous post. A relative sequence was available for the period between the Badarian and the period when unification was thought to have taken place. However, although this sequence has formed the framework for all other sequences, no calendar dates were available. [more…]
Topos and Mimesis – Ancient Egyptian perceptions of Ethnicity.
Introduction. Two recent books have included papers dealing with the topic of Ancient Egyptian perceptions of ethnicity: Schneider, T. 2010, Foreigners in Egypt: Archaeological Evidence and Cultural Context (in Wendrich 2010, p. 143-164) and Smith, S. T., 2007, Ethnicity and Culture (in Wilkinson 2007, p. 218-241). Both authors address the latest anthropological and archaeological literature on ethnicity and both use excavated frontier settlements as case studies. [more…]
Book Review: Treasures of Ancient Egypt – From the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
Treasures of Ancient Egypt: From the Egyptian Museum in Cairo By Alessandro Bongioanni Paperback ISBN-13: 978-8854401853 For anyone planning to visit or re-visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo this book is an invaluable resource and would make a good souvenir. The book has been produced to very high standards. The excellent photographs by Araldo De […] [more…]
Book Review: The Complete Valley of the Kings
The Complete Valley of the Kings – by Nicholas Reeves and Richard H Wilkinson. There is a small stack of books sat beneath my work table. The paperback edition of the Complete Valley of the Kings by Nicholas Reeves and Richard H Wilkinson has a deserved place in that privileged stack. It’s a very nice book, first published in hardback in 1996. The paperback didn’t appear until 2008. More recent books would have all photos in colour. [more…]
A beginner’s guide to dating the Predynastic – Part 1.
Introduction. Predynastic chronology may not be the stuff of glossy magazines and coffee-table books and for those trying to get to grips with it, it can prove to be a challenge. Many people trying to understand how the Predynastic fits together have commented on the apparently conflicting dates for the earlier Predynastic period in various different books. [more…]