Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Photo Gallery: Cairo's Egyptian Museum

Accessed June 30, 2009 | WLFI - Indiana

This web page features many photo galleries of various locations where Ancient Egyptian artifacts can been seen including the Egyptian Museum, Luxor and Karnak Temples, the Valley of the Kings, and more.

Egypt Restores Eight Artifacts From Switzerland

Originally published June 26, 2009 | Egypt State Information Service

Bought by a Swiss from a dealer in 2005 who discovered they were stolen (in 2002), he willingly hands them over to Egypt.

Descubren una Ciudadela de Más de 2.600 Años de Antigüedad

Originally published June 29, 2009 | Amigos de la Egiptología | by Roberto Cerracin

Archaeologists have found a 13 meter long wall of a city of great commercial importance during the 26th Dynasty in Tel Dafna. The site was meant to be a citadel and trading post. Also found near here was a church filled with weapons and ammunition.

For you English-only speakers, I've provided a link to Google's English translation.

Excavate Your Inner Pharaoh

Originally published June 26, 2009 | SFGate | by Carole Terwilliger Meyers

This article lists a few places close to home (at least in North America anyway) that you can visit to get a similar experience as you would in Egypt including the Tutankhamun exhibit at the M.H. de Young Museum, the largest North American collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts at the Rosicrucian Museum, a small exhibit at Phoebe A Hearst Museum of Anthropology, an Egyptian restaurant, and a Middle Eastern hookah bar. Each paragraph gives venue and contact information.

The King and I: An Audience with Tutankhamun

Originally published June 28, 2009 | The Independent | by Sankha Guha

One person's account of Egypt par dahabiyya: from standing in wonderment inside the Great Pyramid to gazing in awe into the blinkless eyes of Tutankhamun's funeral mask, from the seemingly inadequacey of the Egyptian Museum to the vastness of the cities and monuments of the dead, into Tutankhamun's tomb and through Edfu and Philae, and out of the suks of Aswan only to be wooed by the setting sun.

The article ends with Nile cruise, Egypt flight, and dahabiyya departure information, should you endeavor to experience the same.

Tut Dazzles Crowds at de Young

Originally published June 28, 2009 | San Francisco Examiner | by Katie Worth

The seed was planted 30 years ago for those grown-ups who attended Tutankhamun's exhibit back in the late 70s and for their children attending the exhibit now. A few of these grown-ups give their reactions to the current exhibit.

This article ends with exhibit information.

Talk Like an Egyptian

Originally published June 29, 2009 | SFGate | by Leah Garchik

The first four paragraphs of this article are dedicated to a mini description of last Wednesday's black-tie walk-around preview of the Tutankhamun exhibit at M.H. de Young, where Dr. Hawass announced a new and future museum that will house the 30% of Egyptian artifacts that have been found.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Picture - Taposiris Magna Wall

Originally published June 29, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog | by Maggie Bryson

This photo shows the remains of a huge wall at Taposiris Magna, the suspected area where Cleopatra and Marc Antony are buried.

Art Patrons Invited to Unravel Egyptian-Themed Mystery

Originally published June 27, 2009 | The Columbian | by Brett Oppegaard

This free and interactive exhibit entitled The Egyptian Mystery Room is set in the 1900s and follows a mystery that you the viewer can solve. There are many endings to this story and the paintings that illustrate it are for sale to boot!

This article features gallery information, including the "what," "when," "where," cost, and contact information.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Opening Djoser’s Burial Vault

Originally published June 26, 2009 | Talking Pyramids

This blog post features information on the possibility of the burial vault in Djoser's Step Pyramid being open to the public. It features a video and links to other resources.

We'll Soon Find Cleopatra, Dominican Archaeologist Says

Originally published June 26, 2009 | Dominican Today

Affirmations in the form of convincing evidence such as the quality of mummies and various items found west of Alexandria make a Dominican archaeologist certain she'll locate the final resting place of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony. Despite a few environmental obstacles and brushes with wildlife, she and her team have the enthusiastic support of the SCA.

Video - Egypt Mummy Has Sex Changed

Originally published June 26, 2009 | National Geographic News

Follow the above link to see a video from National Geographic News on the Brooklyn Museum mummy whose gender had been mistaken. You will also find the unedited script below the video.

Pictures - Decorated Cartonnage from Saqqara

Originally published June 26, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog

This post provides a beautiful picture of one of the discoveries found near the Step Pyramid in Saqqara.

Curator's Diary - June 26

Originally published June 26, 2009 | Egypt at the Manchester Museum

This blog post announces the completion and near completion of reboxing, photographing and cataloging collections of glass and other fragile artifacts, which include pieces from Antinoe during the Roman Period and Amarna. The author also gives lips service to future plans for the Ancient World galleries.

New Chief for Egyptology Museum in Berlin

Originally published June 26, 2009 | Earth Times

Earth Times announces in this short article that Friederike Seyfried will replace Dietrich Wildung at the end of this month as the new chief of the Berlin Museum. Click the above link for more information.

Fabulous Lives of the Pharaohs Revealed in New Book

Originally published June 23, 2009 | The University of Manchester

Dr. Joyce Tyldesley gives a straightforward yet full account of the life of kingly and common Egyptian from 3100 BCE to 30 BCE in her latest book, The Pharaohs. She zones in on themes and issues of the time and pairs fascinating information with beautiful pictures.

The article ends with contact information and brief information on and links to the following: the Certificate in Egyptology course, the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, and the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Life Sciences.

Mubarak Sends Greeting Message to Egypt's "Sunken Treasures Exhibition" in Japan

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Egypt State Information Service

Egypt State Information Services announces the opening of an exhibit called Egypt's Sunken Treasures, which runs from June 27 through September 23 and will feature nearly 500 Ptolemaic Period artifacts that Egyptian archaeologists salvaged from the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria.

A special event - a tourist week - will run from June 20 through July 5 in conjunction with the exhibit.

Saving the West Bank Temples in Luxor

Originally published June 25, 2009 | Luxor News Blog | by Jane Akshar

Work is being done near Luxor to save Egyptians structures such as Medinet Habu, Seti I's temple, the Ramesseum, and Karnak and Luxor temples due to the Awan Dam's causing the rise in the water table of the Nile River. Some success has been achieved and efforts elsewhere are being performs to save these ancient monuments. Pictures accompany the blog post.

Two Hundred Years of the Déscription de l'Egypte

Originally published June 25 - July 1, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by David Tresilian

This articles speaks of a new exhibit at l'église du Dôme at Les Invalides in Paris that's dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the publication of Déscription de l'Egypte, which contains plates from the work and memorabilia and images of the French scientists involved.

The author gives a brief summary of Napoleon, his endeavors in Egypt, and some information on complimentary exhibits at Les Invalides.

Provided also is exhibit information.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

New Oriental Institute Publications

Originally published June 15, 2009 | Oriental Institute News

* Quseir Al-Qadim 1978: Preliminary Report. By D. S. Whitcomb and J. H. Johnson. Originally published in 1979.

* Ancient Textiles from Nubia: Meroitic, X-Group, and Christian Fabrics from Ballana and Qustul. By Christa C. Mayer Thurman and Bruce Williams. Originally published in 1979.

* Most Ancient Egypt. By William C. Hayes. Originally published in 1965.

* When Egypt Ruled the East. By George Steindorff and Keith C. Seele, Revised by Keith C. Seele. Originally published as second edition in 1957.

* The Culture of Egypt. By John A. Wilson. Originally published in 1956.

* Kingship and the Gods: A Study of Ancient Near Eastern Religion as the Integration of Society and Nature. By Henri Frankfort. Originally published in 1948.

* Ancient Egyptian Paintings Selected, Copied, and Described. Volume III: Descriptive Text. By Nina M. Davies with the Editorial Assistance of Alan H. Gardiner. Originally published in 1936.

* OIP 34. The Egyptian Coffin Texts 1: Texts of Spells 1-75. By Adriaan De Buck. Originally published in 1935.

* OIP 17. Paleolithic Man and the Nile-Faiyum Divide in Nubia and Upper Egypt: A Study of the Region during Pliocene and Pleistocene Times. By K. S. Sandford and W. J. Arkell. Originally published in 1933.

* OIP 4. The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, Volume 2: Facsimile Plates and Line for Line Hieroglyphic Transliteration. J. H. Breasted. Originally published in 1930, revised in 1991.

* OIP 3. The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, Volume 1: Hieroglyphic Transliteration, Translation, and Commentary. J. H. Breasted. Originally published in 1930, revised in 1991.

Ancient Mummy's Face Recreated With CT Scans

Originally published June 25, 2009 | Fox News | by Clara Moskowitz

More regarding the facial reconstruction of Meresamun's face, featuring both artists' renderings. The artwork is now on display at the Oriental Institute in Chicago.

King Tut Relics to Be Shown in Indianapolis

Originally published June 25, 2009 | Indiana's News Center | by Nina Settappa

This article announces the coming of 130 artifacts from Tutakhamun's tomb and other site to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

Exhibit - Out of the Vaults: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead

Accessed June 25, 2009 | Royal Ontario Museum

This exhibit gives one a rare opportunity to see one of the most significant Books of the Dead in the world.

Watch the video accompanying this exhibit:



In addition, the exhibit is featured in an article at Huliq News.

Exhibit - The Beautiful has Come

Accessed June 25, 2009 | State Hermitage Museum

From June 23, 2009 through September 20, 2009, the State Heritage Museum will showcase an exhibit dedicated to portrait masterpieces from the Egyptian Museum of Berlin. The web page features pictures of some of the artifacts from the exhibit, the artifacts' place in Egyptian history, and exhibit information.

From the Valley of the Kings

Accessed June 25, 2009 | San Francisco Examiner

The following are special feature articles that chronicle the Boy King's return to San Francisco as an exhibit at the M.H. de Young Museum. Click each link to read each article:

After a Thirty-Year Wait, the Boy King is Back, by Steven Winn (about the trek and past history of Tutankhamun's artifacts to San Francisco)

Tut Mystery Revealed — Almost, by Brent Begin (Zahi Hawass speaks at a press conference about the exhibit at the museum)

The Boy King is Back in Town (Major sponsors, presenters, patrons and organizers of the exhibit come together in anticipation of the show)

The King Tut Mystique, by Leslie Katz (the Fine Arts Museums Director, John Buchanan, gives his reactions to and advice about attending the exhibit)

First Tut Exhibit Nearly Missed, by Steven Winn (a bit of history of the first time the Tutankhamun collection was showcased in San Francisco in 1979, how it almost bypassed the city, and how it eventually became one of the cities to host the exhibit)

Tunneling Back Through Time, by Steven Winn (Steven Winn reminisces about his travels through Ancient Egyptian exhibits at home an throughout Egypt)

Gilded Remnants of a Lost Epoch, by Steven Winn (showcases the poster boy of the exhibit, a golden coffinette for one of Tutankhamun's internal organs)

A Life Dedicated to Antiquity, by Steven Winn (Steven Winn tells of the life and times of Zahi Hawass)

Discoveries of a Lifetime, by Steven Winn (gives a brief acknowledgment to the man who brought Tutankhamun to the world: Howard Carter)

This web page also comes with a digital companion guide of the museum's Tutankhamun exhibit.

Experience Tut at Twilight this Summer!

Accessed June 25, 2009 | Tut San Francisco

In addition the the Tutankhamun exhibit, the M.H. de Young Museum offers a special event, with discounts on the main exhibit and at the café, turned pharaoh's eatery. The web page provides information on the event including its duration, a sampling of the café menu and prices, and discount prices.

Tidbits: Why Not Eat Like King Tutankhamun, Too?

Originally published June 23, 2009 | Marin Independent Journal | by Vicki Larson

A San Francisco catering company creates a menu fit for an Egyptian king to match the Tutankhamun exhibit at the M.H. de Young Museum. The article gives you a peep at what you may find on the menu, the duration of the special culinary experience, and the hours of operation.

Saving the Serapeum

Originally published June 25, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | Dr. Hawass

Zahi Hawass writes about the Serapeum, about the importance of the Saqqara plateau and the key figures who had a hand in its development; it's role in past and recent-present history, spanning from Strabo to Auguste Mariette; and his attempts to find a solution to preserving and protecting this unique monument, which has been closed to visitors for safety reasons, asking for every authoritative person's advice. He describes the Serapeum's current state and how he's keeping a loving and watchful eye on this mysterious place.

Featured in the post are beautiful pictures showcasing the support and ventilation systems that are meant to help preserve and stabilize the Serapeum.

Archaeological Discovery in Saqqara

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Egypt State Information Service

More on the discoveries found near the Step Pyramid in Saqqara, including thoughts one what each purpose of the artifacts found could have been.

The following is the original press release from Zahi Hawass' blog.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The Artifacts of Life

Originally published June 23, 2009 | University of Southern California | by Carl Marziali

Lynn Swartz Dodd of the University of Southern California will travel with her students to Chicago with bronze age artifacts from Ancient Egypt and surrounding areas where they will be x-rayed at the Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source in order to learn more about their makeup and structure.

The following is a video on this endeavor:

Surprises Rise From Dead: Mummy Turns Out to Be a Daddy

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Daily News | by Sarah Armaghan and Samuel Goldsmith

This article focuses mainly on the mummy that was discovered to be a man, chronicling the thought process as to how this mistake had been made and what other useful evidence the CT scans revealed in terms of understanding the Ancient Egyptians. The article also announces that the information from the scans and the CT scans themselves will be part of an exhibit.

The following is a video of this mummy going through the CT scan procedure, provided by NBC News - Chicago.

Ancient Egyptians Unwrapped: CT Scans Reveal Shrouded Secrets of 2,000-Year-Old Mummies

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Daily Mail Online | by Cher Thornhill

This article features more comprehensive information and updates on the Brooklyn Museum mummies' CT scanning experience, mainly focusing on the background of the mummy that turned out the be a man. It showcases many pictures from the CT scans and the mummy itself, along with accompanying descriptors. Reactions from the Sydney-based Egyptologist involved in the procedure is also chronicled.

Press Release - New Discoveries at Saqqara

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

While performing routine conservation work, Egyptian archaeologists stumble upon some artifacts inside a deep hole near the southern side of the Step Pyramid, the likes of which are illustrated in pictures in this press release.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Cold Case Techniques Bring Mummy's Face to Life

Originally published June 22, 2009 | The University of Chicago News

This article features information straight from the source at the University of Chicago about the facial reconstruction of Meresamun's face. The post provides links to the institution's special web and Facebook pages dedicated to and high resolution images of the artists' recreations of her. There is also a video featured.

Egyptian Mummies Get CAT Scans at L.I. Hospital

Originally published June 23, 2009 | 1010 Wins | by Mona Rivera

This article features more information and photos of the CT scanning of four mummies from the Brooklyn Museum. There is also a link to a photo gallery.

Photo Slideshow - Brooklyn Museum's Mummies Visit Hospital for CT Scanning

Originally published June 23, 2009 | Brooklyn Museum's Photostream


This slideshow showcases photos taken of the CT scanning of four mummies from the Brooklyn Museum at a hospital.

Follow the link to visit my blog post from yesterday, which links to an article on the matter.

Dr. Hawass Receives Honorary Doctorate

Originally published June 23, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass tells of his having been presented with two awards - an honorary doctorate and an award of recognition - in Thailand on June 16; his first meeting with Princess Maha and Thailand's Ambassador to Egypt Noppadon Theppitak and how they've become close friends; the events and feelings during the ceremony; and speeches giving including his own, where he expresses gratitude to all involved and announces future archaeological plans and projects.

Accompanying Hawass' blog post are beautiful photos captured from the event, provided by Garry Shaw.

Monday, June 22, 2009

New Egyptology Course in Bristol

Originally published June 16, 2009 | Challenging the Past Blog | by Marsia Sfakianou Bealby

This four week course takes place in Bristol, UK and focuses on Crime and Punishment in Ancient Egypt. Follow the above link for more information, including the last day to register and when it takes place. There's also a poster that has even more information about the course.

Bloomsbury Summer School 2009 - Upcoming Egyptology Programs

Accessed June 22, 2009 | Sussex Egyptology Society

The SES is offering many-a program for Egyptological matters including but not limited to ancient technology, hieroglyphs, pharaonic history, Nubia, and the Amarna Period.

Click on any one that interests you and you will be directed to a more detailed description, followed by who is presenting the course, and enrollment information.

Egyptology Books Free to Read Online

Accessed June 22, 2009 | Pyramid Texts Online

This web site features many Egyptological books, brought to you digitally for you reading pleasures.

Sydney Scan Solves Mummy's Sex Riddle

Originally published June 17, 2009 | ABC News - Australia | by Rebecca Baillie.

CT scans reveal that a mummy once thought to have been a girl is actually a boy. This article features an accompanying video.

The Changing Face of the Great Sphinx

Originally published June 17, 2009 | History Blog

I thought this was an interesting brief look at the history of the Great Sphinx at Giza - maybe you might find it interesting as well. Some pictures accompany the post.

Video - Tutankhamun: New Details of the Boy King

Originally published June 19, 2009 | ABC 7 - San Francisco News | by Spencer Christian

The following video is a special that aired in San Fran on ABC 7 News called Tutankhamun: New Details of the Boy King, mentioned in my blog post on June 17, 2009.

Données Supplémentaires Concernant les Formes Memphites d'Amon au Nouvel Empire

Accessed June 22, 2009 | Egypte Nilothique et Méditerranéenne

Stéphane Pasquali's article chronicles the five additional forms of Amun in Memphis during the New Kingdom including the one currently known and memphite monuments that illustrate the erasure of Amun's images during the Amarna Period.

The 26 page article is available for free download through Adobe Reader. You must follow the direct link on the home page to access it. First, click on "Télécharger cet article au format pdf." The next page should automatically launch another window designated for the article in pdf format; if it doesn't load automatically click "ici" in the following line of words at the top "Si votre téléchargement ne démarre pas automatiquement, veuillez cliquer ici"

Photo - Mummies Discovered in the Tomb of Amun-em-Opet

Accessed June 22, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | photo courtesy of Maggie Bryson

Another photo from Dra el-Abu Naga has been posted to Zahi Hawass' photo blog. Click the above link to see it.

LI Hospital CT Scan May Shed New Light on Mummies

Originally published June 21, 2009 | News Day | by Najib Aminy

The Brooklyn Museum's Egyptian Art Department and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasett form a collaboration to perform CT scanning on four Egyptian mummies. They hope to clear some of the mystery among them in discovering their causes of death and the mummification methods they underwent thousands of years ago.

Check back for future updates or follow the story on News Day's Twitter page

Learning Middle Egyptian with GlyphStudy

Accessed June 22, 2009 | GlyphStudy Yahoo Group

If you are interested in learning Middle Egyptian, the Yahoo group GlyphStudy will be launching three new courses, each following three books on Egyptian hieroglyphs (Hoch's Middle Egyptian Grammar, Collier's How to Read Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Allen's Middle Egypt: an Intro), which you'll have to buy to participate in the free online class including the homework assignments.

Follow the link to sign up for the courses. More information is also listed at the GlyphStudy Yahoo group.

Talking Pyramids features a blog post this offering.

Egypt's Ancient Sites Are a Wonder to Behold

Originally published June 21, 2009 | STL Today | by Sally Bixby Defty

This special interest editorial follows the author's adventures in Egypt, where she describes the awe-inspiring Giza pyramids; the magnificent Temple at Abu Simbel; an experience with tourism at Luxor; the vastness of the Valley of the Kings, the beauty of Hatshepsut's mortuary temple, and the east bank's Luxor and Karnak temples; the sensational treasures of Tutankhamun; the future plans of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo; and dreamlike travels, floating across the Nile.

Forensic Artists Put Different Faces on 2,800-Year-Old Mummy

Originally published June 21, 2009 | Chicago Tribune | by William Mullen

This article describes the people involved in reconstructing Meresamun's likeness--Emily Teeter, the curator of the Oriental Institute's Meresamun exhibit and Josh Harker and Mike Brassell, the artists; the life and times of Meresamun; and how beneficial CT scanning was to not only creating parts of the exhibit, but also reconstructing Meresamun's face.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

10 Things Not to Miss at King Tut

Originally published June 19, 2009 | San Francisco Chronicle

The curator of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco lists 10 artifacts not to be missed at the de Young Museum's Tutankhamun exhibit. This article also features images of these artifacts.

Video - Visiting the Valley of the Kings

Originally published June 19, 2009 | San Francisco News | by Spencer Christian

Spencer Christian visits the Luxor, said to be the world's greatest open air museum. Following this video are resources and de Young Museum's Tutankhamun exhibit information.

Video - Unearthing Egypt's Ancient Tombs

Originally published June 19, 2009 | San Francisco News | by Spencer Christian

Dr. Hawass gives Spencer Christian a tour of the Valley of the Kings, illustrating the backbreaking work that goes into archaeology and conservation.

Video - A Rich Exhibit: the Tomb of Tutankhamun

Originally published June 19, 2009 | San Francisco News | by Spencer Christian

Follow this link to watch a video where Dr. Hawass gives Spencer Christian a tour of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, speaking about the importance of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. This article ends with links to various resources.

Video - Fact of Fiction: The Curse of King Tut

Originally published June 19, 2009 | San Francisco News | by Spencer Christian

Follow this link to watch a video where Dr. Hawass describes the first time he met Tutankhamun's mummy for the first time. This article also features links to several resources.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Photo - The Courtyard of the tomb of Amun-em-Opet

Originally published June 19, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | Dr. Hawass

This photo illustrates workers digging near the tomb of Amun-em-Opet in Dra Abu el-Naga, where one worker perilously hangs over a board, looking into a shaft.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

King Tut Returns to San Francisco

Originally published June 17, 2009 | Inside Bay Area | Pat Craig

Pat Craig gives his two-cents about the Tutankhamun exhibit when it comes to the San Francisco's de Young Museum this Saturday, speaking of the decline in buzz about Tut these days, a brief history of the exhibit's last touring adventure to San Fran, and some history about when Tutankhamun was discovered.

At the bottom, he includes the who, what, when, where, and how much of the exhibit.

Museum Offers Sneak Peek Inside Tut's Tomb

Originally published June 18, 2009 | The Indy Channel

Officials from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis showed off 100+ artifacts in the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit that will be coming to the museum June 27 - October 25. A video from 6 News accompanies this article along with a link to the exhibit's web site.

Part of the proceeds from the exhibit will help build a children's museum in Egypt and improve the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Meresamun's Facial Reconstruction - Interview with Josh Harker

Accessed June 18, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online | by Eti Bonn-Muller

Read Josh Harker's personal reactions to the process of bringing Meresamun's 3-D image to life using digital media. Pictures of his work accompany this article, along with a link to his web site.

Meresamun's Facial Reconstruction - Interview with Michael Brassell

Accessed June 18, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online | by Eti Bonn-Muller

Get Michael Brassell's personal reactions to the process of bringing Meresamun's image to life using pencil and digital media.

Getting By On Her Looks

Accessed June 18, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online | by Eti Bonn-Muller

After having worked with two forensic artists, Emily Teeter of the Oriental Institute tells Archaeology about the process of reconstructing Meresamun's face. The article is completed with stunning pictures, a video, and links to the interviews with the two forensic artists.

Photo - Inside the Tomb of Amun-em-Opet at Dra Abu El Naga

Originally published June 18, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

This pictures shows an SCA conservator cleaning the ceiling of the newly discovered tomb of Amun-em-Opet at Dra Abu El Naga.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Eagle's Eye: Reminiscences of Egypt

Originally published June 17, 2009 | Central Chronicle

The author of this editorial recollects an eventful experience in Egypt, which included bargaining at the bazaars where haggling is an art, musing over the pyramids at Giza, viewing artifacts at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, talking about the plights of the Egyptian government, and smelling the sweet scents of Ramses' Perfume Palace.

Expert Needed for New Discovery TV Show

Originally published June 16, 2009 | Past Preservers Blog | by Nigel Hetherington

If you can talk on camera about the presence of the Ark at the Jewish temple at Elephantine Island in Aswan, Egypt and are in the Aswan area, check out this blog post, where you will find contact information should you fit the bill. Filming will be July 19 and 20, 2009.

King Tut Exhibit Comes to De Young

Originally published June 16, 2009 | ABC 7 - San Francisco News

The Golden Gate Park's De Young Museum will play host to the traveling Tutankhamun exhibit, starting June 27 through September 30.

This blurb about the coming event features museum information and hours, an accompanying video, and an announcement of an ABC special program that will air June 20 entitled Tutankhamun: New Details of The Boy King.

Press Release - New Tombs Found on Luxor's West Bank

Originally published June 17, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass and his team of Egyptian archaeologists have found a new 18th Dynasty tomb in the Dra Abu el-Naga necropolis and near this, two more undecorated tombs bearing seals. Mummy fragments and ushabtis figures have also been found.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Anonymous Egyptologist

Originally published June 16, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Hawass posts a little blurb about an anonymous Egyptologist who had been criticizing the way he has been going about his work in Taposiris Magna.

Read more about this anonymous Egyptologist at Al-Ahram Weekly Online.

He ends his blurb with many resources about his work at Taposiris Magna.

Early Pyramid Photo Revealed

Originally published June 15, 2009 | Amateur Photographer | by Chris Cheesman

Images of Egypt will be part of a Vintage Photography sale at Dominic Winter Book Auctions in Gloucestershire, UK Wednesday, June 17.

Visit the Dominic Winter Book Auctions web site to view what's for sale.

The following are direct links to images of Egypt:

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Mysterious Osiris Shaft of Giza

Originally published June 15, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Thought to hid secret paths to the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, Hawass excavates a water-filled shaft that served as a swimming hole and source of drinking water to find its true function. The process is not without difficulty, but the finds are worth the hazards. Further excavation is in the works.

Upcoming Exhibitions: World of the Pharaohs-Arkansas Arts Center

Accessed June 15, 2009 | Arkansas Art Center

On display at the Arkansas Art Center from September 25, 2009 through July 5, 2010 are over 200 artifacts from Ancient Egypt. The upcoming exhibit is entitled World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed and showcases funerary objects, mummies, and more.

A beautiful picture accompanies the announcement, followed by a detailed descriptor of that picture.

Pagans, Atheists and Nature Worshippers

Accessed June 12, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Jill Kamil

Jill Kamil and her friends find themselves disagreeing on what the term "pagan" really means. Through much discussion, she concludes that it has many meanings that become blurred sometimes, with misunderstandings following suit, but when it comes to Ancient Egypt, the negative connotations should not apply. I agree.

Curator’s Diary - June 15, 2009

Originally published June 15, 2009 | Egypt at the Manchester Museum

The author of this blog post gives praises to the Oriental Institute and the Field Museum in Chicago and some key persons of importance at both places (naturally, two very wonderful places to frequent).

Diving into History: Min of the Desert

Accessed June 15, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine | by Eti Bonn-Muller

Florida State University's maritime archaeologist Cheryl Ward recreates a near-exact Ancient Egyptian ship of the 18th Dynasty, dubbed Min of the Desert, having used archaeological evidence to create the impressive and surprisingly efficient vessel.

Update: Return to the Great Pyramid

Accessed June 15, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online | by Bob Brier

Archaeology Magazine features Bob Brier's update on Houdin's internal ramp theory, where he and Houdin focus their attentions on an L-shaped room that could have been created deliberately for the construction of the Great Pyramid.

This article features nice pictures with descriptors and a link to Archaeology's previous update and a web site dedicated to the theory from Dessault Systemes.

Egyptian Tells Berlin Paper He'll Prove Nefertiti Was Stolen

Originally published June 13, 2009 | Earth Times

Zahi Hawass plans to produce documentary proof showing the illegal export of Nefertiti's bust out of Egypt.

More on this is chronicled at Yahoo! News (published June 14, 2009), which also provides a brief history of Nefertiti's plight.

Take a Journey to Ancient Egypt in Barcelona

Originally published June 10, 2009 | Opodo Travel News

An exhibition at the Diassanes Reials in Barcelona showcases treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb, starting June 6 through September 6, 2009.

New Papers - UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology (UEE)

Originally published June 3 & 4, 2009 | UEE

Recent papers added to the UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology are:

Conferencia 'La dieta en el antiguo Egipto' en Castellón por Javier Tomás Pérez

Accessed June 14, 2009 | Instituto Valenciano de Egiptologia

Javier Tomas Perez will head a free conference June 18 entitled The Diet in Ancient Egypt: Meals, Beverages, Flavors, and Other Delights ("La dieta en el antiguo Egipto: comidas, bebidas, sabores y otros placeres").

This announcement gives a brief history of the Ancient Egyptian Diet and of the speaker, Javier Tomás Pérez.

I've provided a link so that you may read this article in English (please forgive Google Translation).

Discovery Digs 'Egypt' Series - Network Gives Show a Six-Episode Run

Originally published June 12, 2009 | Variety | by Jon Weisman

Out of Egypt, a new six-episode series premiering August 17 on the Discovery Channel, sets out to desensationalize the typical "mysteries of the Pharaohs" approach to Ancient Egypt.

Death of a Village Outside Luxor that Lived Off Ancient Tombs

Originally published June 13, 2009 | Times Online | by James Hider

The Egyptian Government sacrifices the wellbeing of villagers, some who had made a living from selling stolen treasures from the tombs on which they built their houses, to preserve these ancient sacred places.

The exchange in some cases doesn't seem equal.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Mummification Museum - A Description

Originally published June 6, 2009 | Luxor News Blog | by Jane Akshar

A Session Dedicated to the 45th Anniversary of the Combined Prehistoric Expedition

Originally published June 10, 2009 | Science & Scholarship in Poland

Taking a Shot at Archaeology

Accessed June 12, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref

This article at Al-Ahram Weekly Online gives more information on the new photography exhibit at the Egyptian Museum, as experienced by Nevine El-Aref, the opening of which Zahi Hawass announced on June 4, 2009 (see my blog entry from June 6). It is called Europe-Egypt: A long lasting Archaeological Cooperation and highlights more than a century of archaeological cooperation between Europe (16 countries-worth) and Egypt. It runs through July 30, 2009.

A few pictures accompany the article, which feature exploration at Bir Al-Showish, restoration work at the funerary temple of Thutmosis III, and copper melting experiment in Ain Sokhna.

A poster of this exhibit is also provided.

Massey Drive Man Helping Give Egyptian Mummy a Face

Originally published June 11, 2009 | The Western Star | by Cliff Wells

Veiled in mystery still, the face of a young mummified middle class twenty-something Egyptian woman from Dynasty 21 is about to be revealed through forensic reconstruction.

Free Film at the Oriental Institute: Egypt's Golden Empire, Part 2

Accessed June 12, 2009 | Oriental Institute

I believe this film showing is located in Breasted Hall, just opposite the Suk gift shop. It starts at 2 pm and ends at 4 pm. The duration of the film is 30-50 minutes, after which you can peruse the OI's exhibits. Registration is not required.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

L'Egitto mai visto è al Buonconsiglio

Originally published June 8, 2009 | Trentino | by Sandra Mattei

More information on the exhibit at Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento, Italy, with contact information found at the bottom of this article.

Exhibit information straight from the Castello del Buonconsiglio web site is also provided in Italian and English, which includes ticket information, exhibit hours, and duration (30 May - 08 November 2009).

AIA Conference: Egypt in its African Context

Accessed June 11, 2009 | Archaeological Institute of America

This conference examines the very overlooked African elements of the ancient Egyptian culture. An itinerary is provided, along with themes to address in submitted papers, key speakers, and contact information. The conference takes place October 3 and 4 at the University of Manchester in Manchester, UK.

Archaeology's EGYPT 2009 Cover Survey

Originally published June 8, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine

Archaeology Magazine will be publishing a special issue that will feature their best stories about Ancient Egypt. They need help deciding on a cover so take the next 5 minutes to vote for the most interesting covers and cover lines for Archaeology Magazine 2009.

Survey powered by Vovici.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Egyptian Case Mod is Fit for a Pharaoh

Originally published June 9, 2009 | Walyou Blog | by Jai

Chris Kramer marries LED lights; metal, stone, and lapidary work; art and painting; and a computer system board to create an authentic Egyptian themed case mod, the likes of which make this geekgyptomaniac wanting one for her very own.

This article features several very detailed pictures of the case mod, from all angles.

The Egypt Then and Now Blog also features this article.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The "Machine" Reconstructed - How the Egyptians Built the Pyramids

Originally published June 4, 2009 | La Repubblica Torino | by Ottavia Giustetti

Herodotus might have been right in his description of how the pyramids were built - via a machine that has been recreated and tested with success.

This article is in Italian, but an English version is also provided.

Click here to see an enlarged picture, which is followed by a descriptor, published June 5.

NYU Presentation and Discussion - Excavations at Amheida in Egypt

Accessed June 9, 2009 | ISAW at NYU

Join Dr. Roger Bagnall, Director of the ISAW at NYU for a presentation and discussion on June 17 at 6:00 pm about Amheida, located on Egypt's Dakhla Oasis' western edge, and its archaeological significance. Click on the picture to RSVP.

New Oriental Institute Publications

Originally published June 8, 2009 | the Oriental Institute

The OI Publications Office has recently added fourteen downloadable publications of both old and newer works on Egypt. They are as follows:

* SAOC 58. Gold of Praise: Studies on Ancient Egypt in Honor of Edward F. Wente. E. Teeter and J. A. Larson, eds.. Originally published in 2000.

* SAOC 57. The Presentation of Maat: Ritual and Legitimacy in Ancient Egypt. By Emily Teeter. Originally published in 1997.

* SAOC 56. Portrait Mummies from Roman Egypt (I-IV Centuries A.D.) with a Catalog of Portrait Mummies in Egyptian Museums. By Lorelei H. Corcoran. Originally published in 1995.

* SAOC 55. For His Ka: Essays Offered in Memory of Klaus Baer. D. P. Silverman, ed.. Originally published in 1994.

* SAOC 52. A Late Period Hieratic Wisdom Text (P. Brooklyn 47.218.135). R. Jasnow. Originally published in 1992.

* SAOC 48. Egyptian Phyles in the Old Kingdom: The Evolution of a System of Social Organization. By Ann Macy Roth. Originally published in 1991.

* SAOC 47. Essays in Ancient Civilization Presented to Helene J. Kantor. A. Leonard, Jr. and B. B. Williams, eds.. Originally published in 1989.

* Quseir al-Qadim 1980: Preliminary Report. By Donald S. Whitcomb and Janet H. Johnson. Originally published in 1982.

* SAOC 40. Ancient Egyptian Coregencies. By William J. Murnane. Originally published in 1977.

* SAOC 39. Studies in Honor of George R. Hughes, January 12, 1977. J. H. Johnson and E. F. Wente, eds. Originally published in 1976.

* SAOC 35. Studies in Honor of John A. Wilson. E. B. Hauser, ed.. Originally published in 1969.

* SAOC 34. A Study of the Ba Concept in Ancient Egyptian Texts. By Louis V. Zabkar. Originally published in 1968.

* SAOC 33. Late Ramesside Letters. By Edward F. Wente. Originally published in 1967.
* The Burden of Egypt: An Interpretation of Ancient Egyptian Culture. By John A. Wilson. Originally published in 1951.

Oriental Institute Trip - Splendors of The Nile

Accessed June 9, 2009 | the Oriental Institute

Travel with the OI par dahabya November 15 through December 1, 2009 with Dr. Nadine Moeller as your escort. Visit famous landmarks and get an in-depth tour of Tell Edfu.

A more detailed itinerary is available for download, which includes trip price, areas to be visited with descriptors, a registration form, and contact information.

Book: Oneiric Empire

Accessed June 9, 2009 | Forum Egypte | by Cédric B.

This new (French) book, posted at Forum Egypte and Kymera-Drakosia-Outworld follows the story of an archaeologist and his team, which launches into a fantasy when they find a temple on the Giza Plateau, inside which the former finds himself in the land of Ancient Egypt, during Cleopatra VII's time.

Both sites are in French.

Monday, June 8, 2009

African History Is Everyone's History

Originally published June , 2009 | the Vanguard | by Benjamin Gremillion

Gremillion describes Chancellor Williams' "definitive work" entitled The Destruction of Black Civilization, which chronicles the various roles black Africans had in ancient history, including having built Egypt's stone structures.

Workshop Highlight: Ancient Egyptian Mummies

Originally published June 6, 2009 | The Scribe Blog | by the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum launches a new workshop entitled The Ancient Egyptian Mummies Workshop that follows the science behind four Egyptian mummies. More information on this workshop is provided.

No Mummy Once the Loan Tuns Out

Originally published June 7, 2009 | Recordnet | by Michael Fitzgerald

Stockton's Haggin Museum will relinquish its most spectacular artifact (a mummy with coffin) to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco on August 18.

10 More Ancient Inventions You Think Are Modern

Originally published June 7, 2009 | Listverse | by J Frater

View #8 - sutures, #6 - soap, #2 - umbrellas, and #1 - toothpaste. The list comes with great pictures to accompany each entry.

AIA Tours - Egyptian Odyssey

Accessed June 8, 2009 | Archaeological Institute of America

Take a fifteen day tour of Egypt, led by Ted Brock, from October 3 through 17, 2009. A tour brochure is provided.

Travel shorts: Indianapolis, Curacao, South Dakota, Kansas City

Originally published June 7, 2009 | STL Today

A trip to Indianapolis to see Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is scheduled to take place July 29-30

Includes ticket price and contact information.

Helping the Ancient Ones Live Forever

Originally published June 5, 2009 | This Week Community Newspapers | by Cathy Wogan

Travel: Cruising the Nile by Felucca

Originally published June 7, 2009 | Predynastic Egypt & Prehistory Blog | by Јohn D. Vаn dеr Јagt

US President Barack Obama Visits the Pyramids

Originally published June 6, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Egyptian Museum Opens Exhibit on Eve of Obama’s Arrival

Originally published June 4, 2009 | eTurbo News | by Hazel Heyer

This article announces Hawass' launching of a new photo exhibit that showcases European and Egyptian archaeological endeavors since the early 19th century. The show illustrates continued efforts to promote and preserve archaeology.

A short paragraph describes what treasures the Cairo Museum currently holds, despite the lack of space, which includes the recently recovered relics that had been smuggled into Switzerland.

Tutankhamun Exhibition Coming to New York

Originally published June 4, 2009 | Suite 101 | by Stan Parchin

A short blurb about an expanded version of the traveling show, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaoh, coming to New York.

Coordination With UNESCO for Protecting Heritage in Luxor

Originally published June 3, 2009 | Egypt State Information Service

A little blurb about the preparation by UNESCO and Prime Minister D. Ahmed Nazif to declare Hassan Fathy Village a national park.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Video - US President Barack Obama tours the Pyramids with Zahi Hawass

Originally published June 5, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

This video features a little textual blurb and video about President Obama's visit to Egypt, his tour of the Giza necropolis with Hawass, and Hawass' reaction to Obama's historical visit. Links to other related topics are below the video.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Discovery, Partner to Open NYC Exposition Center

Originally published June 4, 2009 | Yahoo! News & the Associated Press | by Ula Ilnytzky

Hoping to bring exhibits like Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs to New York, which hasn't made its way there yet, due to the lack of a venue, the Discovery Channel and the production company Running Subway join forces to create a Times Square exhibition space, called Discovery Times Square Exposition. It's a proposal that I hope gets heard.

Rollstone Exhibit Features Egypt

Originally published June 4, 2009 | Sentinel & Enterprise

A free exhibit is opening in Massachusetts that features photographs that depict dancing, culture, and antiquities. Music, food, and dance make up the entertainment of this event.

The Mastaba of Kagmeni at Saqqara

Originally published June 4, 2009 | Talking Pyramids Blog

This blog post gives a brief overview of the mastaba of Kagmeni ("Meni") and provides beautiful pictures within the blog with nice descriptors and supplementary picture slideshow of the Saqqara area and a few more pictures of Meni's mastaba on Flickr.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Egypt Exploration Society Newsletter

Originally published June 3, 2009 | Egyptology News Blog | by Andie Byrnes

Now that the general archaeological season in Egypt is relatively over, this newsletter from the EES gives an update on what it has been up to, including updates on fieldwork, excavation fund projects, special events and interviews, and upcoming events.

A link to the EES Annual Conference 2009 programme is provided.

Follow this link to view pictures of the EES' recent events and activities.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Egypt Opens Second DNA Lab for Mummies

Originally published June 1, 2009 | Xinhua News | by Xiong Tong

The article describes the reason for this second Egyptian lab (to execute comparative studies; with a single lab, that is hard to do) and it's priority (to discover Tutankhamun's parentage). The complete results will be published in August. The process is sponsored and will be documented by the Discovery Channel.

Oriental Institute Offers Free Access to Volumes of History

Originally published May 28, 2009 | Oriental Institute | by William Harms

The OI's Electronic Publications Initiative states that all publications of the Oriental Institute would be simultaneously published in print and electronically. They execute this mission in making their research accessible to scholars and enthusiasts throughout the world with free downloadable whole OI publications (some out of print).

Peruse the list of free OI publications by clicking the link provided. The exact link to publications on Ancient Egypt is also provided.

Dead Sea Scrolls Scandal

Originally published June 1, 2009 | The Chicago Maroon | by Sara Jerome

This article follows the attempts of Norman Golb, scholar of the Dead Sea Scrolls and professor Jewish of history and civilization, to maintain his scholarship and to prove his son's innocence in a scandal that alleges that he (his son) used false e-mail accounts to impersonate and undermine his father’s scholarly critics.

Decoding Antiquity: Eight Scripts That Still Can't Be Read

Originally published May 27, 2009 | New Scientist | by Andrew Robinson

Robinson starts with an introduction to the challenges of deciphering relatively unknown scripts and uses Egyptian hieroglyphs as an example (having been deciphered 180 years ago). He then describes eight scripts that are partially deciphered, providing a brief history of the scripts' origins and if the language and script are known, partially known, probably known, possibly known, or unknown: Etruscan, Meroitic hieroglyphs, The New World (Olmec, Zapotec and Isthmian), Minoan (Linear A and B), Rongo-rongo (Easter Island), Indus script, Proto-Elamite, and Phaistos disc. He ends the article with an outline of the world's greatest decipherments, which includes Egyptian hieroglyphs.

DNA Test to Discover Tutankhamun's Parentage

Originally published June 1, 2009 | Google/Agence France Presse

After having objected to previous inquiries to learn Tutankhamun's parentage, Dr. Zahi Hawass gives permission to Egyptian researchers to conduct DNA tests, the results of which will be published in February.

Exhibit: 'Unseen Egypt' at Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento

Accessed June 2, 2009 | ANSAmed | by Claudia Tomatis

ANSA announces the world preview of two collections that have never been seen before: one that features funerary items and mummies from the First Intermediate Period and the other a collection that showcases 19th century items purchased during the first wave of Egyptomania.

Jacqueline Phillips - Aegyptiaca on the Island of Crete in Their Chronological Context: A Critical Review

Accessed June 2, 2009 | Rosetta - University of Birmingham | by Marsia Sfakianou Bealby

Marsia Sfakianou Bealby reviews Jacqueline Phillips' two volume work, which is based on the re-visited and updated PhD thesis of the author. Bealby's review also includes a bibliography and footnotes.

KMT's Current Summer 2009 Issue

Accessed June 2, 2009 | KMT

Provides images of the cover and the table of contents of and a list of seven featured articles in the latest issue of KMT: a Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt.

Getty Conservation Institute Receives Award

Originally published May 30, 2009 | Suite 101 | by Stan Parchin

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) received the Distinguished Award for the Advancement of the Field of Conservation from the American Institute of Conservation. They were recognized for their support of professional development initiatives and more than 20 field projects, some in Egypt.

Monday, June 1, 2009

EES Annual Conference 2009: New Explorations

Originally published May 29, 2009 | Egypt at the Manchester Museum | by Karen Exell

If you find yourself in London June 20 - 21, you can attend the Egypt Exploration Society's Annual Conference, where field directors will present recent fieldwork in Egypt.

Stolen Egyptian Artifacts Recovered

Originally published May 28, 2009 | Real Clear Arts

Art Lost Register finds 7 of 8 Egyptian artifacts at a Manhattan auction house that were stolen from a museum in Amsterdam. After alerting US Customs, they were recovered.

There is a picture that illustrates the single missing piece: an ushabti.

Egypt to Present Pharaoh Tutankhamun's Family in August

Originally published June 1, 2009 | Amigos de la Egiptologia | by Roberto Cerracin

Dr. Hawass announces that Tutankhamun's genealogy of relatives will be released in August. This comes after having gone through DNA testing at the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University, with comparative tests results done at the Cairo Museum.

I've provided a link to the article's original translation.

Turin and Seville

Originally published May 31, 2009 | Dr. Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass describes his travels to Turin, Italy and Seville, Spain. They include attending a book fair and the Egyptian museum and giving a lecture and interviews in Turin and attending seminars and lectures and giving a lecture in Seville.