Radio Interview & Podcast - Pioneers of the Past Exhibit

Accessed February 19, 2010 | Oriental Institute - Facebook | Dr. Emily Teeter and friends will be talking about the new exhibit at the Oriental Institute called Pioneers of the Past from 9 - 11pm CT on WGN Radio AM 720 today (Friday, February 19, 2010). They will take callers' questions starting at 10pm.

I believe you can listen live online. I'm not sure if you have to reside in the States for this feature to work (I know I can't watch Dr. Who episodes from the official web site because I don't live in the UK). If this happens to be the case, there will be a podcast of the interview after the broadcast: http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/ext720/.

Naughty Hieroglyphic Graffiti at the UofC

Originally published February 2, 2010 | Crescat Graffiti, Vita Excolatur | by Quinn Dombrowski | Not nearly as obviously naughty as the Hatshepsut-Senenmut graffito, but just as interesting, is the latest bit of graffiti (in hieroglyphs no less!) to grace the walls of the library at the University of Chicago. Who knew that Egyptological scholars (or perhaps students?) at the UofC had dirty minds (because that's the sentence that just pops into one's head when one is studying in the library!) Fifty scribes just punched the air.

Upcoming Lectures - London Examines Nefertiti and Chicago, Ancient Egyptian Women in Society

Accessed January 18, 2010 | Egypt at the Manchester Blog and Neighborhood Star | The following are the dates, times, location, topics, and a tiny excerpt of each upcoming lecture:

• Date: March 8, 2010
  Time:6:00pm
  Location: Millennium Park Room at the Chicago Cultural Center - Chicago, IL
  Lecture: The Role of Women in Egypt's History, by Ambassador Nihad Zikry, Assistant Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs
  Excerpt:

  At the invitation of the Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Chicago, H.E. Ambassador Nihad Zikry, Assistant Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, will speak about the role of women throughout Egypt's history in celebration of Women's History Month.

• Date: February 10, 2010
  Time:3:00pm
  Location: Kanaris Lecture Theatre, The Manchester Museum - Manchester, UK
  Lecture: Re-Writing Nefertiti, by Dr. Joyce Tyldesley
  Excerpt:

  This Showcase Seminar will consider the distorting effect that the Berlin head has had on the public perception of Nefertiti, before reviewing the archaeological evidence for her life and death.

• Date: January 21, 2010
  Time: 7:30pm
  Location: Marie Irwin Community Center - Homewood, IL
  Lecture: Beyond Harpists and Housewives: Women and Their Employment in Ancient Egypt, by Megaera Lorenz, University of Chicago graduate student
  Excerpt:

  "Despite their misleadingly low profile in the historical record, women were active participants in ancient Egypt's economy," said Lorenz. "This talk examines a few of the varied and often surprising ways that ancient Egyptian women found employment"

I believe all of these lectures and workshops are free admission, especially the one at the Cultural Center.

The Oriental Institute Rendered 3D in Google Earth

Originally published October 5, 2009 | OI Blog

It's almost like being there...well, almost.

The Oriental Institute is on Facebook

Updated September 22, 2009 | The OI Blog | by Charles Ellwood Jones

If you haven't discovered it already, there are many Oriental Institute groups and pages on Facebook. If you are on Facebook and are an archaeology enthusiast, perhaps you'd like to "friend" Meresamun or the OI at the University of Chicago or catch all the latest research updates at the Research Archives of the OI. Follow the above link to find more places on Facebook to become connect with OI.

Book Reviews - Journal of Near Eastern Studies

Accessed August 11, 2009 | Chicago Journals

All of the following are reviews of books on Ancient Egypt and similitude topics. You can read them for a fee at Chicago Journals (best just to buy the book).

• Horst Klengel, Hattuschili und Ramses: Hethiter und Ägypter — ihr langer Weg zum Frieden
• Edna R. Russmann, Nigel Strudwick, and T. G. H. James, Temples and Tombs: Treasures of Egyptian Art from the British Museum

History and Meaning of the Ancient Egyptian Ankh Symbol

Originally published August 1, 2009 | Examiner - Chicago | by Kristen Wilkerson

I may get into trouble if I say anything about this topic, so I'll let the article speak for itself.

Upon researching the meaning of the Egyptian Ankh, a cross with a loop at the top, it appears to have been used with multiple intentions. Originally, a historian thought the ankh was merely the symbol of a sandal, due to its shape, with its loop going around the ankle. Although many modern historians find this to be accurate, Egyptian academics at the University of Cairo, interpret that the ankh is representative of the pivotal role of the Nile. The oval head is said to represent the Nile delta, with the vertical mark representing the path of the river and the East and West arms representing the two sides of the country and their unification. Many others claim the ankh has a much deeper significance in its historical roles, however. This article explores some of the ankh's deeper claims to fame.

Mark (Lehner) and Me (Zahi Hawass)

Originally published June 30, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Hawass reflects on how he first met Mark Lehner and how they've been close friends since then. He recalls the time when he crossed paths with Lehner's acquaintances who followed the Cayce mythology; when the two joined forces in the States to give 10 lectures across the country; and when he and Lehner worked on their doctorates in the States and eventually when their separate ways upon completion (he to Egypt and Lehner to Chicago). Hawass concludes with how recent filming near the Great Sphinx at Giza brought both men back to their earlier years and past endeavors together.

Cold Case Techniques Bring Mummy's Face to Life

Originally published June 22, 2009 | The University of Chicago News

This article features information straight from the source at the University of Chicago about the facial reconstruction of Meresamun's face. The post provides links to the institution's special web and Facebook pages dedicated to and high resolution images of the artists' recreations of her. There is also a video featured.

Getting By On Her Looks

Accessed June 18, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online | by Eti Bonn-Muller

After having worked with two forensic artists, Emily Teeter of the Oriental Institute tells Archaeology about the process of reconstructing Meresamun's face. The article is completed with stunning pictures, a video, and links to the interviews with the two forensic artists.