Math Puzzles’ Oldest Ancestors Took Form on Egyptian Papyrus

Originally published: December 6, 2010 | the New York Times | by Pam Belluck | In ancient Egypt, math had a practical purpose. I doubt any scribe worth his hekat would question the reason he was solving any of these 85 problems, as modern students in the lower grades tend to do. I would say that it's not so surprising that most of the solutions to the problems in the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus are accurate. Ahmes' estimation of the value for Pi is almost spot-on. Therefore, it's no surprise that this culture built pyramids, the construction of which we moderns still can't fathom pursuing with tools that were known to have been used back them. For lack of a better defense: They were very clever.

Hieroglyphs Study Day in Oxford

Published June 23, 2010 | Challenging the Past Blog | by Marsia Sfakianou Bealby | Takes place on June 26 from 10:30 to 3:30, Oxford time. Egyptologist-led study day at the Griffith Institute Archive and the Ashmolean Museum, limited to 10 people. Marsia's post also includes an itinerary, which includes taking a look at archival records at the Griffith and examining artifacts at the Ashmolean. Don't forget about the coffee!

The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus Online

Accessed March 23, 2010 | US National Library of Medicine | For those passionate about papyrology and the ancient Egyptian writing system, here's an amazing find on the web: the Edwin Smith Papyrus, a digitized image and interactive experience that lets you unroll this medical papyrus and read it (if you are so inclined). There is also additional information about this historic document. Talk about preserving the past. Now we can enjoy this artifact repeatedly without having to worry about contributing to its deterioration.

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)

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.

Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Artifacts from Brooklyn Museum Explores the Afterlife

Originally published September 27, 2009 | Art Daily

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.

Early Christian Books in Egypt Now Available

Originally published August 10, 2009 | What's New in Papyrology | by

The following is an excerpt from the Papyrology Blog, which features a small synopsis, author information, testimonials, and the book's table of contents; click on the above link to read the blog post in it entirety:

For the past hundred years, much has been written about the early editions of Christian texts discovered in the region that was once Roman Egypt. Scholars have cited these papyrus manuscripts--containing the Bible and other Christian works--as evidence of Christianity's presence in that historic area during the first three centuries AD.

There Was Once a Man

Originally published the week of July 23 - 29, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Jenny Jobbins

The writer of this article at Al-Ahram Weekly Online "takes a new look at some old tales, and ponders on the unchanging face of literature and the human experience."

Click the above link to read the article in its entirety.

High-Tech Imaging of Ancient Papyrus May Shed Light Into Writing of Early Societies

Originally published July 13, 2009 | Taragana

A team of researchers and scholars are using high-tech imaging to clear the layers of text hidden beneath words and letters written on levels of ancient papyrus, which may reveal fascinating insights into the writing and everyday life of early Egyptian, Greek and Roman societies.

Berlin's Neues Museum Announces Grand Re-Opening

Originally published July 7, 2009 | Travel Video News

This article announces the re-opening of the Neues Museum in Berlin and chronicles what the museum will house in terms of collections and exhibits (particularly its most popular item: the bust of Nefertiti) and background information on the museum and the development project.

Be Inspired by King Tut Exhibit in San Francisco

Originally published July 4, 2009 | Santa Cruz Sentinel

Steven Martin, Michael Smith, and the Bangles are shining examples of the steadfast interest in ancient Egypt. The author of this article explores various areas that captivate us: Tutankhamun, unsolved mysteries, mummies and the Afterlife, and pyramids and papyri.

New Books - The Oxford Handbook of Papyrology

Originally published June 30, 2009 | What's New In Papyrology | by G.W. Schwendner

This blog post features a new publication that is a comprehensive handbook of papyrology, complete with author and product information and a brief description. The work features twenty-seven international experts and more than one hundred illustrations.

Ancient Egyptians Unwrapped: CT Scans Reveal Shrouded Secrets of 2,000-Year-Old Mummies

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Daily Mail Online | by Cher Thornhill

This article features more comprehensive information and updates on the Brooklyn Museum mummies' CT scanning experience, mainly focusing on the background of the mummy that turned out the be a man. It showcases many pictures from the CT scans and the mummy itself, along with accompanying descriptors. Reactions from the Sydney-based Egyptologist involved in the procedure is also chronicled.

Turin and Seville

Originally published May 31, 2009 | Dr. Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass describes his travels to Turin, Italy and Seville, Spain. They include attending a book fair and the Egyptian museum and giving a lecture and interviews in Turin and attending seminars and lectures and giving a lecture in Seville.