Abydos - The Most Sacred of Cities

Originally published January 28, 2010 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Jill Kamil | A review of David O'Connor's Abydos: Egypt's First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris. Here's an excerpt of Jill's take on it:

Abydos: Egypt's First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris gives us new insights into the origins of kingship in Egypt and the organisation of early state. It reveals that writing has been found here that rivals in antiquity that of Mesopotamia. And it explores the significance of a fleet of boats, the earliest surviving in the world, unearthed at Abydos. "Each discovery raises new questions and issues, and indicates that further mysteries remain to be explored and resolved," writes O'Connor, and adds: "Abydos will continue to intrigue archaeologists, Egyptologists and lay enthusiasts for many generations to come."

Let me, however, hasten to add that this is not a book for the general reader who expects a publication described as: "The definitive account of one of Egypt's most important ancient sites, written by a world authority", to be a guidebook to the site. Abydos is most definitely a book by a scholar, for scholars, and for those enthusiasts who have some background in archaeology.

Great Egyptological Articles and Musings at Heritage Key

Originally published January 4 and 5, 2010 | Heritage Key |

The following are very interesting articles and musings published within the last 24 hours by some very fantastic writers and scholars at Heritage Key:

• January 5, 2010: Looking Forward to Speaking (and Listening) at 'Current Research in Egyptology' in Leiden by Paula Veiga
• January 5, 2010: Did Unemployed Minoan Artists Land Jobs in Ancient Egypt? by Owen Jarus
• January 5, 2010: What Value Do Replicas Hold? The Many Answers. by Ann Wuyts
• January 4, 2010: Current Research in Egyptology XI Conference at Leiden University by Ann Wuyts
• January 4, 2010: Mummy Recycling: From Ancient Rags to Paper by Ann Wuyts
• Tutankhamun - His Tombs and his Treasures (Hamburg)

Video: New Tombs Discovered at Dra Abu el Naga

Originally published September 23, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Zahi Hawass

Ancient Egyptian Epagomenal Festival

Originally published July 15, 2009 | The Scribe Blog

So I missed joining in on the fun, being a day late and a dollar short with this event. However, it is an annual event, so it's something to keep in mind for next year.

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum will be hosting its annual Egyptian Epagomenal Festival on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the calendar included 360 days plus five additional epagomenal days. These epagomenal days were days "out of time" when the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, and the gods Osiris, Seth and Horus were born. The Egyptians celebrated the birthdays of these gods with a festival each year. Our version of this festival will include a variety of special lectures, tomb tours, workshops and children’s activities held throughout Rosicrucian Park.

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.

Reconstructing the Afterlife in a Vanished Religion

Originally published May 23, 2009 | The New York Times | by Souren Melikian

Paris plays host to "the Doors of Heaven," supplemented by an accompanying book, that purports to explain the world view in Ancient Egypt, which remained relatively steadfast for 3,000 years. Statues, reliefs, carvings, and allegory from the Book of the Dead, particularly of Osiris and items from the Amarna period, play a prominent role in leading us through the secrets of the Ancient Egyptian perception of life and the Afterlife, as contradictory, eluding, and enigmatic, as they turn out to be.