New Book - Soldiers, Sailors and Sandalmakers

Originally published August 16, 2009 | Egypt at the Manchester Museum Blog | by Karen Exell

The following blog post announces the September 1, 2009 release of a new book (by the the author of this blog post, as it were). It includes product information and a short description of the book's contents:

The book looks at how votive stelae from five Ramesside period sites, including Deir el-Medina, Abu Simbel and Pi-Ramesses, might be linked to specific events in the lives of the dedicators, from festival attendance, promotion at work and pleas for fertility, and act to commemorate for all eternity incidents of personal and social significance.

I've provided a link to Amazon for those interested in pre-ordering this book.

Article - Royal Gift Exchange Between Mycenae and Egypt

Accessed August 20, 2009 | American Journal of Archaeology | by Jorrit M. Kelder

The following is the abstract to Jorrit M. Kelder's article in the American Journal of Archaeology. There are links to the PDF version of the abstract and the author's bio.

This paper seeks to stimulate new thinking on this subject by positing the possibility that exchange between the two was more than a haphazard phenomenon, arguing that it was, instead, a highly organized system that involved the active engagement of the ruling elite at Mycenae as well as the pharaonic court.

Touring the New York City Obelisks

Originally published August 19, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online | by Morgan Moroney

Below is an excerpt from this article at Archaeology Magazine Online, which features descriptions and expandable pictures of Egyptian obelisks around the world, including Cleopatra's Needle in London, England and Ramesses II's obelisks at Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. At the bottom there are links to previous and further stories on obelisks (not necessarily Egyptian):

The obelisk originated during Egypt's Old Kingdom (2584-2117 B.C.) as a small solid structure associated with the sun-deity Re. Pharaoh Senworset I (1974-1929 B.C.) constructed the first giant obelisk at Heliopolis during the Middle Kingdom (2066-1650 B.C). Giant Egyptian obelisks weigh hundreds of tons and are composed of solid pieces of granite quarried at Aswan in southern Egypt. Modern obelisks, big and small, are found all over the world and the U.S. from the Washington Monument, to war memorials, to the grave markers of presidents (Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln's tombs all include obelisk memorials). New York City is filled with obelisks, and a tour of them will take you all over Manhattan and beyond to view monuments, tombstones, and even an authentic Egyptian original, known as Cleopatra's Needle. But how and why did the obelisk become and remains so popular?

It may seem a bit morbid (and certainly too soon to be considering this), but I'd like to have an obelisk for a tombstone, complete with hieroglyphic inscriptions and my name bound in a cartouche. With that, no, I do not want to be mummified! Everyone always asks me that :/

Archaeology Magazine's Special Ancient Egypt Issue

Accessed August 20, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online The following is quoted from AIA's e-Update, which will bring you to more information on what's inside this issue and how to purchase it:

Learn why mummies are the icons of ancient Egypt and why the pharaohs' tombs were designed to last forever. Discover how Napoleon's expedition led to the birth of Egyptology and how the Great Pyramid was built. Explore a City of the Dead and the Valley of the Kings. Come along with Archaeology to the banks of the Nile--and beyond. There are mummies, pharaohs' treasures, unsolved mysteries, and an entire civilization to uncover.

I think I voted for this cover! I'm glad to have helped Archaeology Magazine :)

I'm thinking I might request that my library buy this issue for its magazine collection. I'm sure someone other than myself will find this a great addition.

International Colloquium: Pharaonic Renaissance

Accessed August 20, 2009 | The American Research Center in Egypt

The following is an excerpt from the American Research Center in Egypt:

This international colloquium at Montepulciano, Italy, focuses on the period of the 25th and 26th Dynasty and tries to shed light on the phenomenon of archaism that characterized the cultural life of Egypt in those centuries.

Either follow the above link to read more about this international colloquium or read the Montepulciano Colloquium Program. The program starts tomorrow (Friday, August 21) and ends Sunday (August 23), so if you're in Italy near Firenze and Montepulciano, check it out.

Video - Cool Jobs: Mummy Hunter

Originally published May 1, 2009 | Discovery Channel | by Rossella Lorenzi

Follow the link to watch this video that captures the interview between Rosella Lorenzi and Dr. Zahi Hawass, where the latter speaks of many well-known ancient place including Saqqara and the Step Pyramid, Giza and the Great Pyramid, and the Valley of the Kings and popular names such as Tutankhamun, Ramesses, and Nefertari.

Ancient Coptic Church Discovered at Luxor Temple

Originally published August 16, 2009 | eTurbo News | by Hazel Heyer

This discovery, although not of the Pharonic Era, has strong connections with it, being found built over the top of an ancient Egyptian site (that of Ramesses II). The following is an excerpt from eTurbo News. Follow the above link to read this article in its entirety.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, last June, the Al Watani International said that at the Imam Abu-Haggag Luxor mosque and shrine, built on top of the open courtyard of Ramesses II in the Luxor Temple, the Supreme Council of Antiquities had launched a renovation project which, apart from repairing the damage from the fire, yielded some surprising finds. During restoration work the restorers came upon the remains of a Coptic church and some rare pharaonic inscriptions, the most remarkable of which were engravings picturing the erection of the two obelisks built by Ramesses II outside the Luxor Temple itself. The church and the mosque, said Sana Farouq.

"Closed" Sign Coming Soon to King Tut's Tomb

Originally published August 19, 2009 | USA Today | by John Bacon

The following is an excerpt from USA Today, regarding more on the latest news about the possibility of the Valley of the Kings being closed off to tourists wanting to visit the tombs. Dr. Hawass if certainly faced with a double-edged sword, a predicament that shouldn't come without massive consideration: either you close off the KV tombs and create a museum filled with replicas and decrease the touristic population (I can see a replica tomb here in Chicago) or close off the KV tombs to tourists temporarily (and still decrease revenue from tourism, be it temporarily) and open them when proper technology has been implemented within each tomb so that the delicate contents within and tourists can peacefully coexist. I wouldn't mind waiting for proper technological implementation, as the former option (one Hawass has proposed) would really kill revenue for Egypt. Like I said before, I can see a replica here in the states; although, I suppose the addition of the Egyptian culture while seeing these replicas would make a better experience.

If you're interested in visiting the tombs of pharaohs in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, better schedule your trip soon.

[...]

"A team of experts is currently using laser technology to examine these tombs in order to build the replicas ... which would then open to visitors in a place near the Valley of the Kings," Hawass said.

Egypt Warns Pharaohs' Tombs Could Disappear

Originally published August 18, 2009 | Yahoo! News - Singapore and Agence France Presse

The following is an excerpt from Yahoo! News in Singapore. Click the above link to read the full story.

The ornate pharaonic tombs in Egypt's Valley of the Kings are doomed to disappear within 150 to 500 years if they remain open to tourists, the head of antiquities has warned.

Zahi Hawass said humidity and fungus are eating into the walls of the royal tombs in the huge necropolis on the west bank of the Nile across from Luxor, which is swamped daily by several thousand tourists.

This sort of trouble for the KV and QV tombs (and other places, for that matter) has been going on for many years. Can you imagine how exponentially quick tomb art deteriorated during Egyptology's infancy? I'd be freaking out, for sure. Expediency in this situation wouldn't be hazardous in preserving the rich art of the Ancient Egyptians. I'm hoping that by the time I visit Egypt, Zahi Hawass will have implemented a system to all sites that allows tourists to visit them in situ.

Egyptian Expert Submits Report on Mummy

Originally published August 18, 2009 | The Times of India

The following is an excerpt from an article from the Times of India:

The head of the research department, supreme council of antiquities, Egypt Tarek El Awady on Monday presented his report to the government on preservation of the Egyptian mummy, which was stored in the state museum and deteriorating because of mismanagement.

Most of this should be common sense in terms of the preservation of mummies and observing them in museums. I'd also add: no leaning on glass cases. In addition, $20,000 is hardly asking for much for preservation (unless that's per mummy on display; even then, I'm sure there are plenty of people with the same passion as I who would lend a helping hand in donating to the cause).

Photo - Zahi Hawass and Tutankhamun's Mummy

Originally published August 18, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog | picture credited to SCA

Follow the above link to see Zahi Hawass examining the mummy of Tutankhamun, captured in a picture, posted to his photo blog. A map of the precise location of Tutankhamun's tomb and a few links to related resources accompany the picture.

The photo brings several stories and other images to mind, stories that involve the process Howard Carter and his crew used to handle Tutankhamun's mummy. It brings one to tears, really. It's a shame Egyptology wasn't as developed then as it is now; perhaps, Tutankhamun's mummy could have been better handled and preserved.

Press Release - New Developments at Luxor

Originally published August 17, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass The following is an excerpt from Zahi Hawass' blog that tells of several complete projects of both ancient and modern structures. Links to further information within Zahi Hawass' blog, accompanying pictures of the objects of discussion, and a map are also provided.

Today, Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), and Dr. Samir Farag, Head of the Luxor Supreme Council (LSC), will celebrate the completion of several development projects at different archaeological sites on Luxor’s western and eastern banks, and visit other ongoing projects, for which the total budget was LE 127 million.

These projects include the restoration of Abul Hagag El-Loxori Mosque, changing the entrance of Luxor temple, the development of the area around Deir el-Bahri Temple, the restoration of Howard Carter’s rest house with a view to developing it into a museum, and the installation of a new lighting system in the Valley of the Kings.

Centamin Follows the Ancients in Big Quest for Egyptian Gold

Originally published August 15, 2009 | The West Australian

Below is a preview of an article at the West Australian which tells of an explorers means of discovering a gold mine in Egypt by using one of the oldest papyri found as a resource. The topic is a bit off-topic, but still interesting (and hey, it mentions a discovery that came as a result of using ancient artifacts; it's like piecing together a real map and finding real pirate treasure!).

The popular mythology behind Centamin Egypt goes that it was WA geologist Sami El-Raghy who came across the ancient papyrus map dating back to 1200BC hanging in an Egyptian museum.

That map, believed to be the oldest of its kind, included the location of 1300 historic gold mines and inspired Mr El-Raghy to hunt for some treasure of his own.

The tale is probably apocryphal.

Exclusive Interview: Dr Zahi Hawass in Indianapolis

Originally published August 10, 2009 | Heritage Key | by Keith Payne

Thanks to Ann for leading me to Heritage Key, where there are many articles and more that focus on Ancient Egyptian history and related topics.

The following article is Keith Payne's one-on-one interview with Dr. Hawass after his lecture in Indianapolis for the Tutankhamun exhibit. They discuss royal mummies, Tutankhamun's heritage, Nefertiti, advice for would-be archaeologists and Egyptologists, DNA testing, CT scanning technology, and more. The article is accompanied by photographs of Hawass' presentation, which capture the man's vitality and passion he has for his country's ancient history. There are also many links to resources on similar articles and opportunities for discussion (don't you just love the read-write-web?)

Apply For a Junior Research Fellowship in Egyptology

Originally published July 23, 2009 | Christ's College (University of Cambridge)

The Governing Body of Christ's College invites applications for a Junior Research Fellowship in Egyptology supported by the Lady Wallis Budge Fund.

If interested, click on the above link, where you will find more information about the application process and requirements.