Unraveling the DNA Behind the Mask

Originally published February 24, 2010 | Yale Daily News | by Erin Vanderhoof |

After 3,400 years, one of history’s oldest cold cases has finally been solved.

In addition to finding evidence that the legendary Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun (better known as King Tut) died of malaria and suffered from a club foot, DNA analysis unveiled last week has identified a previously anonymous excavated mummy, KV55, as Tutankhamun’s father: Akhenaten, the rebellious pharaoh of Egypt’s Amarna period whose legacy disappeared for thousands of years. The DNA supports the theory of two Yale professors, who suggested that the androgynous figures of the period’s art reflect religious beliefs rather than representations of Akhenaten’s family.

This theory was presented by Yale Egyptology professors John Darnell and Colleen Manassa ’01 GRD ’05 in their 2007 book, "Tutankhamun’s Armies," which details the military and diplomatic technique of Egypt’s late 18th Dynasty, which ruled the country from 1550 B.C. to 1292 B.C.

Luxor Temple Excavations

Originally published February 9, 2010 | Luxor News Blog | by Jane Akshar | Ms. Akshar gives us a peek at the continuing excavations happening near Luxor, especially those done at the tell behind the Pashas House. She gives approving remarks about the field schools that train professionals on the job. Jane also includes several pictures capturing a few great sites to see near the area, including talatat bricks of the Amarna Period.

New Book - Amarna Sunset

Accessed January 31, 2010 | The American University in Cairo Press | "A new account of the return to orthodoxy after Akhenaten’s revolution. [...] This new study, drawing on the latest research, tells the story of the decline and fall of the pharaoh Akhenaten’s religious revolution in the fourteenth century BC." Visit this web page for publication information, pricing, and related works from the author (Aidan Dodson).

Egypt to Announce King Tutankhamun's DNA Test Results

Originally published January 31, 2010 | Courant | by Paul Schemm | Finally, after much hinting of this event, Hawass et al will be releasing the DNA results of Tutankhamun on Saturday, February 13. Personally, I feel sorry for Tutankhamun's mummy, having already gone through so much over the years, only to be chipped away at to learn a little more about him, particularly his seemingly mysterious lineage. The article also details some background information on Tutankhamun, similar procedures being performed on other royal and unknown mummies, and past endeavors that have revealed important information to the world of Egyptology.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Egyptians

Originally published January 21, 2010 | Heritage Key | by Paula Veiga | An article examining the backgrounds and lifestyles of rich Egyptians (including priests and kings). These leisurely activities and ammenities included eating and drinking parties and banquets, personal hygiene rituals, quality of dress, love and marriage, and more, linking these topics to examples of their modern day counterparts.

Ancient Egypt on Exhibit in Little Rock

Originally published October 11, 2009 | Florida Today | by Chuck Bartels

Highlights from the OI Collection: Egypt

Originally published October 6, 2009 | the Oriental Institute

The 'Highlights From The Collection' web page for Ancient Egypt has been updated, showcasing and detailing thirteen objects from the Oriental Institute’s collection, accompanied by photographs. These objects include funerary objects and masks, papyri, statues and figures, reliefs and stelae, coffins, and magic bricks, just to name a few. You can sort these objects by subject and region.

Nefertiti Moved With Care

Originally published October 5, 2009 | The Straits Times

This author uses quotes around "with extreme care." Apparently s/he isn't buying either the museum's excuse that Nefertiti is too fragile to transport her back home to Egypt. She seemed to travel well, being placed on display in her new home at the Neues. Perhaps the German scholars should have used this excuse: they feared her sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic à la (the) secret mummy aboard the Titanic.

Picture - Dr. Hawass Examines the KV55 Mummy

Originally published September 23, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog | picture credited to Maggie Bryson

Trip to Tell el-Amarna Organized by the Bloomsbury Summer School

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

Tracing King Tut's Roots

Originally published August 24, 2009 | Asharq Alawsat Newspaper | by Dr. Zahi Hawass

Beginning this article are a few paragraphs dedicated to the importance of Tutankhamun's tomb and its discovery. Then it briefly discusses previous speculation as to Tutankhamun's parentage, which includes well-known names such and Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Amenhotep III. Some examination of these mummies is given in detail, followed by the process that an Egytian team is pursuing to perform DNA and CT scan tests on Tutankhamun's and the aforementioned figures' mummies.

Although Hawass finds justification for extracting DNA samples from these mummies, one is still taking a piece of that mummy, desiccating it, even if it might just be a minute piece. I'm glad someone else has this job; I wouldn't be able to do it without thinking too much. How the Ancient Egyptians would be completely shocked to learn that, not only are their mummies on display in museums throughout the world, stripped of their protective amulets, but also being chipped away at!

The Art of the Amarna Period

Originally published August 20 - 26, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online

The inspiration for this article comes in the form of a statue of an Amarna princess of unknown origins. The estimated time of its creation is the Amarna Period. With that, the rest of the article chronicles the life and times of Akhenaten, his wife Nefertiti, their children, and their life and religion that was the foundation for what is known as the Amarna Period.

I think this period is the most intriguing due to its complete lack of interest in the norm in Egyptian art and religion (perhaps it's better said that Akhenaten was uninterested in keeping to old traditions). You have to admire him for his originality and passion for his family.

Amarna: Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun

Originally published August 5, 2009 | Art Museum Journal | by Stan Parchin

The following is an excerpt from Art Museum Journal:

The long-term exhibition Amarna: Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia debuted on November 12, 2006. Expertly designed by the McMillan Group, the state-of-the-art installation features more than 100 artifacts from Akhetaten (present-day el-Amarna), the desert capital of heretical Pharaoh AKhenaten (r. 1353-1336 B.C.) and the birthplace of Tutankhamun (r. 1332-1322 B.C.). All of the objects on view come from Penn Museum's collection of Egyptian antiquities.

Follow the above link to read this in its entirety. Features a link to the Penn Museum, exhibit information, photos of some of the artifacts in the collection with descriptions, and a link to resources for the Amarna period.

Book Review - The Court and Court Society in Ancient Monarchies

Accessed July 20, 2009 | Bryn Mawr Classical Review | by Rolf Strootman

The book under review is the result of a workshop held in 2004 in Newcastle, where seven scholars met to discuss and compare seven royal courts in different cultures and periods: the Achaemenid, Argead Macedonian, and Sassanid, early and late imperial Roman, Han Chinese and New Kingdom Egyptian.

The volume ends with a chapter by Kate Spence, who considers the court in pharaonic Egypt in the late Second Millennium BCE -- a difficult task since official royal texts rarely mention individuals other than the pharaoh: "building temples, fighting wars and performing ritual were recorded as historical events but were usually presented as if kings acted in isolation" (p. 267). Spence therefore focuses on the relatively well-documented court of the reformer Akhenaten at el-Amarna. As in most other ancient monarchies, courtiers in pharaonic Egypt doubled as administrators. Since priests played a crucial role in pharaonic administration, Spence interprets Akhenaten's abolition of the powerful priesthood of Amun -- normally considered as a religious measure -- as an effort by the king to shift the balance between himself and his officials, an active reform of the administration encountered more often in Egyptian history.

La madre de Tutankhamon podría ser Beneretmut, la hermana pequeña de Nefertiti

Originally published June 27, 2009 | Teleprensa World

Could Nefertit's younger sister, Beneretmut, be Tutankhamun's mother? Follow the link to read the theory.

I've also provided a link to read this article in English (Google Translation). It's not very good, but you'll get the gist of it.

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.

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.

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.