Did Michael Jackson Model Face After Egyptian Bust?

Originally published August 5, 2009 | Chicago Sun-Times | by Michael Sneed

I was about to exit the lunchroom, freshly brewed coffee in hand, when one of the cover stories of one of the newspapers, buried beneath other newspapers, caught my attention. It read something like, "Look Familiar?" I thought, "Yes" because I've seen it at the Field Museum and remembered the time my sister remarked her resemblance (the Egyptian, not my sister) to Michael Jackson between giggles. That was two years ago. I'm surprised the Sun-Times hadn't picked up on the resemblance while Jackson was still alive. Apparently others like my sister and I noticed the uncanny similarity years ago, as the article at CBS points out.

That's beside the point.

In any event, the article gives background information about the Egyptian woman's bust and reactions to the recent buzz about the striking resemblance.

The Tomb of Haremhab Reopens

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

Tricked out with new state-of-the-art technology to prevent further damage, Horemhab's tomb is once more open for public viewing (and has the priviledge of being the only tomb in the Valley of the Kings with this technology; the only down side is that it will play guinea pig for the other KV tombs).

Egyptian Researchers Claim to Have Exact Date for Great Pyramid

Originally published August 4, 2009 | RIA Novosti

Has the Great Pyramid given up another secret?

A group of Egyptian researchers claims to have hit on an exact date for the construction of Khufu's pyramid, the largest of the three Great Pyramids at Giza.

The team, led by Dr. Abdel-Halim Nureddin, says work on the pyramid was started on 23 August, 2470 BC. The local governor told reporters that the date will now be celebrated as National Giza Day.

Click the above link to read the full story at RIA Novosti.

Why My Great-Great-Great Grandfather Defaced Ancient Egyptian Monuments

Originally published August 3, 2009 | The Guardian | by Philippa McDonnell

As cute as this story is (a modern-day Ramesses the Great--who would have thought?!), it still makes me cringe a bit, despite the ending words to this article by an Egyptian guide.

It just goes to show that we as human beings are naturally drawn to wanting to be recognized and remembered. Really, there is no difference between we moderns and the Ancient Egyptians.

Domestic Dog Origins Challenged

Originally published August 3, 2009 | BBC News | by Judith Burns

Contrary to the "premature" belief that the domestication of dogs originated in East Asia, owing to its apparent variety of canines, the thought is now that domesticated dogs originated in Africa, a country with just as many varieties. The article draws evidence from village dogs in Africa (including Egypt).

Although this article isn't strictly about Ancient Egypt, it's still an interesting read in terms of how far back dog domestication goes (as far as 40,000 years ago). In addition, the Ancient Egyptians were no strangers to keeping dogs as pets and hunting companions, as is evident in tomb paintings.

Chinqua Penn To Display Egyptian Relics

Originally published August 1, 2009 | Dig Triad | by Alan Wagmeister

If you find yourself in Wentworth, NC, check out this 27-room English countryside mansion, complete with furnishings reminiscent of the Egyptomania period of the late '20s. An accompanying picture illustrates furniture in the style of Tutankhamun's artifacts.

Egyptian experts to Conserve Mummy in Hyderabad Museum

Originally published July 29, 2009 | Thaindian News

Expert assistance from Egypt is finally on its way to conserve an Egyptian mummy dating back to 2500 BC at a museum here.

The mummy, believed to be of Nasihu, daughter of the sixth Pharaoh of Egypt, is on display at the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeological Museum here since 1930 but is now decaying.

Background information is given about the Old Kingdom mummy along with the conservation procedure she will go through.

Follow the above link for the full story.

Signs of Ancient Port in Kerala

Originally published August 3, 2009 | The Telegraph | by G.S. Mudur

Even though this article is not exclusively about Ancient Egypt, Ancient Egypt is a featured contribution (rather, is mentioned in terms of discovery): the ancient Indian Ocean trade hub of Muziris has possibly been unearthed at Pattanam, in southwestern India where archaeologists have found Egyptian pottery among other artifacts.

Book Review - Egyptian Mummies and Modern Science

Accessed August 3, 2009 | American Journal of Archaeology | reviewed by Gonzalo M. Sanchez

Click the above link to read Gonzalo Sanchez' two-page review of Rosalie David's book, Egyptian Mummies and Modern Science, which is primarily aimed at Egyptologists in the medical field and anyone interested in Egyptian mummies. So, if you can handle the gory details, you'll find interest in David's book. Includes the publication's publishing, page, and pricing information for those interested in purchasing the book.

Dr. Hawass and Princess Sirivannavari of Thailand

Originally published August 3, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass describes a Thai princess' visit to Egypt. He dedicates some lines to the princess' love for art history and follows with a few more paragraphs about his having led a tour through the Giza Necropolis with her. Featured are lovely pictures chronicling the international visit and a map.

Michael C. Carlos Museum - Gallery Profiles

Originally published July 30, 2009 | Art Museum Journal | by Gail S. Myhre

Gail Myhre describes in short paragraphs various galleries of the Michael C. Carlos Museum on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Featured among the gallery profiles is the Egyptian, Nubian and Near Eastern Collection, alongside which is a picture of one of the artifacts.

ArchaeJobs - Discover Archaeology Jobs in Europe

Originally published July 27, 2009 | ArchaeJobs Blog

This blog offers a list of many archaeological job openings in Europe, listed by country, with direct links to each opportunity.

Bristol University Archaeology-Egyptology Courses

Accessed August 1, 2009 | Bristol University Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

Bristol University offers some courses in Egyptology at their web site, starting January 2010. Follow the link to Bristol University to discover those and other courses in archaeology and anthropology.

Patient Aged 2,500 in for Tests

Originally published July 30, 2009 | BBC News

A team of radiographers at a London university have been preoccupied with a patient somewhat older than most - 2,500-year old Egyptian mummy Tahemaa.

Features a few pictures and a video. Follow the above link to read the entire article at BBC News.

Exhibit - World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed

Accessed August 1, 2009 | Arkansas Arts Center

World of the Pharaohs: Treasures of Egypt Revealed explores the long-vanished world of ancient Egypt. This Egyptian exhibition is the first ever held in Arkansas. More than 200 mangificent objects, including mummies, a majestic colossus of Ramses the Great, Egyptian art, jewelry, statues, sculptures, and funerary artifacts, tell the story of not just how the Egyptians died, but how they lived!

Click the above link to visit the Arkansas Arts Center's official exhibit web site for ticket information, exhibit duration, and program details.