The Rising Sun in Egyptology

Originally published the week of July 30 - August 5, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref

For the forthcoming couple of months the Egyptian Museum is hosting an exhibition of five dozen ancient Egyptian artefacts unearthed at three archaeological sites by the mission from Waseda University over the past 40 years.

These unique objects have never before been exhibited. They derive from Abusir, the site of 11 pyramids south of Giza; Dahshour, the site of King Senefru's pyramids; and Malkata on Luxor's west bank, where the grandfather of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, Amenhotep III, dug a lake and built a palace for his beautiful and powerful wife, Queen Tiye.

Taught Like an Egyptian

Originally published July 27, 2009 | The Times Tribune | by Carl Keith Greene

A memo from Corbin Superintendent Ed McNeel sent a pair of teachers from the city middle school on a trek along the Nile this summer.

Melissa Evans and Michele Anderson took the challenge — they applied for and received the grant that would take them to the land of camels, caravans and Cleopatra.

From June 26 to July 8, they and other teachers toured the Nile Valley in Egypt from Alexandria to near the border with Sudan, experiencing the historical and modern cultures of the nation.

There Was Once a Man

Originally published the week of July 23 - 29, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Jenny Jobbins

The writer of this article at Al-Ahram Weekly Online "takes a new look at some old tales, and ponders on the unchanging face of literature and the human experience."

Click the above link to read the article in its entirety.

Screaming Mummies!

Originally published July 31, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine | by Mark Rose

Mark Rose demystifies the screaming mummy (which includes mummies from both Egyptian, Chinese, and Peruvian cultures) in his article at Archaeology Magazine Online, which highlights mummies examined in the recent 2007 documentary called Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen; the dead and their loosened jaws as they appear in movies and plays such as The Mummy and A Christmas Carol, respectively; and gives a description of why this anatomical curiosity occurs. Accompanying the script are pictures.

Tom Kuntz blogs about this in a post at the New York Times.

Obama and the Secrets of the Pyramids

Published Week of 23 - 29 July 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Dr. Zahi Hawass

Zahi Hawass gives a detailed description of his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and having led him on a tour of the Giza Necropolis:

I have met many famous people at the Pyramids, but I can say that one visit stands out in my mind as one that I really enjoyed -- that of US President Barack Obama.

When he arrived in at the Pyramids, Obama was casually dressed. He was very nice to me from the moment that we first met, and it was truly a pleasant surprise when Rahm Emmanuel, his chief of staff, mentioned to the president my profile that was recently published in The New York Times.

Follow the above link to read the full article. My favorite part is when the President remarks the uncanny resemblance of his own face to the hieroglyphic sign for "upon" (a face head on with protruding ears).

In Pictures at Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog

Accessed July 30, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog

Overview of Taposiris Magna - Following this pictures, there's a short description and links to further information.

A Guardian in the Tomb Chapel of the High Priest of Thoth, Petosiris, at Tuna el-Gebel - Included with this pictures is a brief paragraph and a link to further information.

Ancient Egypt Coming to Local Libraries

Originally published July 28, 2009 | Wayne Independent

This article chronicles two events focusing on Ancient Egypt that took place at several Pennsylvanian libraries: "I Want My Mummy" and "CSI: Ancient Egypt" as presented by Dr. Stephen R. Phillips of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Perhaps they would be interested in coming to the Northwest Suburbs of the Chicagoland area?

I Want My Mummy!

Originally published July 30, 2009 | Wayne Independent | by Tammy Compton

Children gathered Wednesday at the Bethany Public Library for a presentation by Dr. Stephen Phillips, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Dr. Phillips was discussing the science behind ancient Egyptian mummies. Program funding is provided by the Commonwealth of PA Outreach Lecture Program, sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Museum.

Left-handed Kings? Observations on a Fragmentary Egyptian Sculpture

Accessed July 30, 2009 (web site updated July 27) | Nicholas Reeves.com | by Nicholas Reeves

Although not a new theory, Mr. Reeves presents an article, followed by descriptive notes and accompanying pictures, that examines the supposed leftward orientation in Ancient Egypt, as observed through several facets: sculpture, the folding of kilts, perceptions favoring the left side, hieroglyphic representations, and others.

Workshop: Seals and Sealing Practices from Ancient Times till Present Day

Originally published July 29, 2009 | Universiteit Leiden

Follow the link to learn more about this workshop in December at the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC). The web page includes a description of the lecture/workshop, an itinerary, and contact information for those interested.

Celebrating Forty Years of Japanese Excavations in Egypt

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

Recently an important exhibition opened in the Egyptian Museum displaying the work of the Japanese in Egypt over the past forty years. Notably, it highlights the work of Dr. Sakuji Yoshimura, who directed many of these projects.

New Audio Tours of the Oriental Institute Museum Galleries Available

Originally published July 21, 2009 | Oriental Institute

Audio tours of the Oriental Institute Museum galleries are now available for free download so that you can use your own iPod or other MP3 player to take any or all of our special tours. Current tours are 'Highlights of the Collection of the Oriental Institute,' a tour of 'The Ancient Near East in the Time of Tutankhamun,' and a special 'Ancient Egypt for Kids' tour.

The following is a direct link to the self guided audio tours

Picture - Anubis Statue at de Young

Originally published July 22, 2009 | TwitPic

It's a slow news day, as you can tell, but that shouldn't discredit this interesting find any. I wonder if anyone sells life sized statues so that I can put one in my room.

Picture - Excitement Mounts Over Dr. Hawass' Visit to Indianapolis

Originally published July 22, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog

A Borders bookstore is getting ready for the coming Tutankhamun exhibit in Indianapolis with this front window display, complete with dressed mannequins, a large banner announcing Dr. Hawass' August 7th lecture, and companion books (all of which are very nice additions to Egyptological libraries).

Appear on a Major New TV Show in Egypt With Dr Zahi Hawass

Originally published July 15, 2009 | Challenging the Past Blog | by Marsia Sfakianou Bealby

Please circulate to your colleagues:

ARCHAEOLOGISTS or ANTHROPOLOGISTS WANTED!

A new television series for the History Channel is seeking an Archaeology or Anthropology Expert/Professor AND several student Archaeology or Anthropology majors or recent graduates! (Please do NOT submit if you are only an enthusiast.)

This expert and the students will be a part of a small team that will travel to several digs in Egypt with the legendary Dr. Zahi Hawass. (If the expert and/or the students have experience in Egyptology even better, but this is not a requirement.)