Strolling on the Avenue of Sphinxes

Originally published February 11, 2010 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref | Tourists will soon be able to see two sections of the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor looking much as they did in the days of the Pharaohs. Nevine El-Aref takes a stroll down the path of priests and princes in her very detailed article regarding this very exciting excavation program.

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.

Otto Schaden's Dig Diary Feb 13 Update

Originally published February 13, 2010 | Dig Diary KV-63 | by Mudir Schaden | A few bits of news concerning the restoration work on and conservation of several of the items discovered within KV-63 including a funeral mask, coffin fragments and an infant's coffin, pottery and ceramics, and seal impressions. To see these items in there current state, photos are provided. My favorite is the funeral mask. It's so delicate and has a lovingly welcoming expression that makes me smile.

Opening the Tomb of Sa-Iset

Originally published February 1, 2010 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass | Dr. Zahi Hawass details the recent re-excavation of the burial chamber in Dashur of a Dynasty 12 vizier named Sa-Iset. He finds the need to lift the lid of the vizier's coffin to confirm that a previous excavator (Jacques de Morgan) did indeed do the same to perform excavation work underneath. He continues with a brief history of this tomb's place in history and it's significance (and it's intriguing aspects). He ends with this final note:

The important thing to remember is that this tomb is still very valuable, in its unique design and Pyramid Texts, and a complete study will reveal much information about the reign of Amenemhat II and the Middle Kingdom time in which Sa-Iset lived.

New Publication - Giza Mastabas

Originally published January 27, 2010 | David Brown Book Company | by Peter Der Manuelian | For those of you who are faced with difficulty in finding an Egyptological book that you don't have, here's a new publication (I will certainly have it on my bookshelf ones of these days. Here's an excerpt:

West of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Khufu laid out scores of mastaba tombs for the elite members of ancient Egyptian society. Specific clusters of tombs seem to form architectural and archaeological units, prompting the modern division of the Giza Necropolis into discrete nucleus cemeteries. This book interprets the complete archaeological record of the mastabas of Cemetery G 2100, one of the six nucleus cemeteries at Giza. As a key to understanding Old Kingdom mortuary development at Giza, it explores the distinguishing features of such a grouping of tombs and tomb owners: relative chronology and individual artistic styles; common administrative titles, possible familial connections to the king; and the relationship of the earlier, major mastabas to the subsequent, minor burials surrounding them.

The web site also features an excerpt from the book itself, a batch of 3D photos featured in the book, notes about the author, and related publications.

Herbert Winlock, Hatshepsut Thanks You

Originally published October 20, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Hawass describes the prologue to his lecture at the Sofitel Hotel in Cairo, where he is inspired to give praise to Herbert Winlock after his grand-niece gives him a first edition and signed copy of Winlock's publication Excavations at Deir el-Bahri 1911-1931, which introduced the world to Hatshepsut. You know me: I'm set on finding this book and buying a copy for myself *wink*

Restoring Saqqara

Originally published October 17, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

In this article at Zahi Hawass' blog, Dr. Hawass describes the Saqqara necropolis, details his impressions on it and its place in history, and reveals upcoming and ongoing restorative efforts on the historic site.

Exhibit at the Petrie Museum and Free Lectures

Originally published October 1, 2009 | Challenging the Past Blog | by Marsia Sfakianou Bealby

If you are near the greater London area, there are some great Egyptological things beckoning to you: an exhibit entitled Framing the Archaeologist: Portraits and Excavation, which runs from Sept. 22 - December 19, and a couple of free lectures: Ancient Egypt, Racial Construction and Robert Knox and Inventing Traditions: Performances in Pre-Dynastic Cemeteries. The where, when, what, and how much are listed at Challenging the Past, with a direct link to the Petrie Museum's web site.

New Discovery Links Ancient Egypt and Jordan Valley Site

Originally published September 2, 2009 | The Jerusalem Post | by Judy Siegel-Itzkovich

Excavations at Tel Bet Yerahcarved (a settlement along the ancient highway that connected Egypt to the rest of the Near East) yield a most unusual find: a stone plaque bearing archaic Egyptian signs, which are rare in Egypt (let alone anywhere else!). The find suggests the people of the Jordan Valley and Egypt (circa Dynasty I) had stronger ties than previously believed. Alas, a shining example of the reason for archaeology: not only to learn more about certain peoples (their habits, worldviews, lifestyles, technology, etc), but also to learn more about the connectivity they had with each other. I'd like to give lip service to Kara Cooney's series on the Discovery Channel, Out of Egypt; through the ancient Egyptian culture(s) she examines others around the world and throughout the ages.

Festival of British Archaeology Events

Accessed July 21, 2009 | Council for British Archaeology

If you are in the UK or planning on traveling there, use this database to locate archaeological events and programs. This database works only with UK post codes.

EES Excavation Fund 2009

Accessed July 20, 2009 | EES

Funding is available for Egypt-related excavation and research projects from the Egypt Exploration Society.

Ancient Fortress City Unearthed in Egypt

Originally published July 14, 2009 | Discovery News | by Rossella Lorenzi

More news regarding the recent discovery of a military town in Tell Dafna, the largest in the eastern Delta. Information is given about its size; its location compared to other cities; its importance throughout history, including the fairly recent present when Petrie excavated there, and to several well-known rulers such as Ramesses II and Psammetichus I; the current undergoings by the SCA to rescue it from modern development; the role the British Museum is playing in the project and their plans; the material findings there that support the fact that the site held military and trading importance in ancient times; and further developments as new discoveries are uncovered such as a temple and palace.

News on the Gurob Harem Palace Project

Originally published July 2, 2009 | Bloomsbury Academy

Ian Shaw gives an update on his latest project at Medinet el-Gurob. His and Jan Picton's email addresses are provided for further information and interest in the project. Also, there is a mini conference planned in September. That information is listed at the above link and in a downloadable program guide.

Report Back on Valley of Kings and KV57 Horemheb

Originally published June 27, 2009 | Luxor News Blog by Jane Akshar

Breaking news from the Valley of the Kings: Horemheb's tomb (KV57) is now open and excavations will be underway at KV55.

Photo - The Courtyard of the tomb of Amun-em-Opet

Originally published June 19, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | Dr. Hawass

This photo illustrates workers digging near the tomb of Amun-em-Opet in Dra Abu el-Naga, where one worker perilously hangs over a board, looking into a shaft.

Taking a Shot at Archaeology

Accessed June 12, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref

This article at Al-Ahram Weekly Online gives more information on the new photography exhibit at the Egyptian Museum, as experienced by Nevine El-Aref, the opening of which Zahi Hawass announced on June 4, 2009 (see my blog entry from June 6). It is called Europe-Egypt: A long lasting Archaeological Cooperation and highlights more than a century of archaeological cooperation between Europe (16 countries-worth) and Egypt. It runs through July 30, 2009.

A few pictures accompany the article, which feature exploration at Bir Al-Showish, restoration work at the funerary temple of Thutmosis III, and copper melting experiment in Ain Sokhna.

A poster of this exhibit is also provided.

Egyptian Museum Opens Exhibit on Eve of Obama’s Arrival

Originally published June 4, 2009 | eTurbo News | by Hazel Heyer

This article announces Hawass' launching of a new photo exhibit that showcases European and Egyptian archaeological endeavors since the early 19th century. The show illustrates continued efforts to promote and preserve archaeology.

A short paragraph describes what treasures the Cairo Museum currently holds, despite the lack of space, which includes the recently recovered relics that had been smuggled into Switzerland.

Exhibit: 'Unseen Egypt' at Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento

Accessed June 2, 2009 | ANSAmed | by Claudia Tomatis

ANSA announces the world preview of two collections that have never been seen before: one that features funerary items and mummies from the First Intermediate Period and the other a collection that showcases 19th century items purchased during the first wave of Egyptomania.

COSI Exhibit Helps Visitors Solve Mysteries of Past

Originally published May 28, 2009 | The Columbus Dispatch | by Michele Lemmon

This article gives more information on the COSI Columbus exhibit called Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science and follows up with featured programs at the museum that focus on Ancient Egypt, which is for people of all ages. The exhibit will travel to other member museums in the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative.

Latest News from the Valley of the Kings

Originally published May 27, 2009 | Dr. Zahi Hawass' Blog

Follow the link to learn about the latest news from the Valley of the Kings. More information is found in the latest press release, with pictures accompanying it.