Edition - June, 2014
Dorset Study Day: Kingston Lacy, Dorchester and Bournemouth
Over one weekend in February 2014 the Egyptian Exploration Society and ASTENE (The Association for the Study of Travel in Egypt and the Near East) combined forces to provide a two days of amazing insights into this man’s life. Three of us, all members of the Sussex Egyptology Society made a mini holiday of this opportunity, staying in Poole. Transport to the various sites including Windborne Minster, Dorchester and Bournemouth was provided for all including the lecturers. The main speakers were Dr Patricia Usick, Dr Aidan Dodson, Dr Daniele Salvoldi and Dr Robert Morkot who all stayed with the group, and it was a good opportunity to meet up with old acquaintances. [more…]
Book Review: “Egyptian Things to Make and Do” by Emily Bone
It is probably very clear from the title (and if not, from the images) that this is a review of a book designed for children. It is an activity book, with a set of projects for children to make with the assistance of adults. The projects are colourful and imaginative, and many would form the basis of a fancy dress outfit. Others are just fun things for children to make. [more…]
Edition - April, 2014
Gertrude Caton-Thompson on the problems of creating a unified Predynastic chronology, 1928
This brief article is based on a few pages from the book, and is made up almost entirely of Caton-Thompson sound-bites about her work in this area. It is intended as an insight into the work that she did on Predynastic chronologies and the clear thinking that helped her to be one of the most important archaeologists working in Egypt at the time. [more…]
Confessions of a Part-time Lecturer to Newcomers in Egyptology: Cheops or Khufu?
Call me a curmudgeon if you will, but I prefer “purist.” Purists are expected to rant occasionally, but often there is vindication for that, grounded in practicality. I am speaking of the mess the Greeks made of Egyptian words — names, especially — that has carried on down to the present day, perpetuated (unfortunately) by some of the best Egyptologists in the business, and by now no doubt irreversible. Purists can be frustrated — short of madness, although perhaps not by a wide margin — by such irritations and the futility of their remedial efforts, and I suppose others may as well just let those of us so inclined simply grimace and grind our teeth. [more…]
By Brian Alm
Edition - March, 2014
Book Review: “Another Egypt” by Bill Dixon
Bill Dixon’s book reads like a series of short excerpts from the travel journal of a lively, jocular and convivial man who enjoys observing his travelling companions just as much as he does the lovely surrounding landscape, and has the skill to convey his impressions very effectively. [more…]
An interview with Dr Garry Shaw – any questions?
Dr Garry J. Shaw’s new book “The Egyptian Myths” has just turned up on my doorstep. Dr Shaw has very kindly agreed to be interviewed about the book for Egyptological, so I am assembling questions as I read. Does anyone have any questions that they would like me to put to Dr Shaw? You can […] [more…]
By Andrea
Photographing the Past – The Gaddis Legacy
By Kate Gingell. Published on In Brief, Egyptological, 20th March 2014 During my many visits to Luxor I have always visited the Gaddis Bookshop to browse through all the old photographs and cameras. Until my last visit in November 2013 I did not know the history of the shop nor the story behind the […] [more…]
By Kate Gingell
The paintings from the lost tomb-chapel of Nebamun
The paintings from the tomb of Nebamun are justifiably famous for their beauty and incredible dynamism. The British Museum purchased the panels that it has in 1821 . They were located by a Greek tomb robber named Giovanni d’Athanasi, who worked as an agent for Henry Salt in Luxor. Unfortunately d’Athanasi was angered by the finder’s fee offered and he refused to give up the location of the tomb from where the panels had been removed. The location of the chapel remains unknown to this day. [more…]
Edition - February, 2014
Ancient Egyptian Cosmetic Spoons of the New Kingdom
I was in the Louvre in Paris recently and was impressed by the exhibit of cosmetic spoons, so beautifully carved and so sinuously expressive. Although they are usually referred to as cosmetic, ointment or unguent spoons, their function has never been definitively established and they come in a variety of forms. This short article is a brief introduction to a much wider topic. [more…]