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!

Tutankhamun's Funeral Exhibition at the Met will Explore Materials and Rituals

Originally published February 24, 2010 | Art Daily | An excerpt - click on the above link to read more:

In 1908, while excavating in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, American archaeologist Theodore Davis discovered about a dozen large storage jars. Their contents included broken pottery, bags of natron (a mixture of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulphate, and sodium chloride that occurs naturally in Egypt), bags of sawdust, floral collars, and pieces of linen with markings from years 6 and 8 during the reign of a then little-known pharaoh named Tutankhamun. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was given six of the vessels and a good part of their contents in 1909.

In time, Herbert Winlock, curator and field director of the Metropolitan's Egyptian excavations and in the 1930s Director of the Museum, came to realize that the natron and linen were the embalming refuse from the mummification of Tutankhamun. He also suggested that the animal bones, pottery, and collars might have come from a funeral meal. Winlock's analysis was an important clue that led to Howard Carter's 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb some 110 meters away.

Opening March 16 at the Metropolitan Museum, the exhibition Tutankhamun's Funeral will explore the materials and rituals associated with the burial of the pharaoh. The presentation will include some 60 objects, primarily from the Metropolitan's own collection.

New Exhibit - the Eternal Light of Egypt

Originally published February 4, 2010 | Times Union | by Tim Kane | This article announces a new photographic exhibit called The Eternal Light of Egypt by Sarite Sanders, coming to the Albany Institute of History and Art June 13, which brings the ethereal back into the monuments of Ancient Egypt. I had the pleasure of seeing a preview this past spring, where a few of Sarite's photographs were on display at the Loyola University Museum of Art. If these were but a hint at what an entire exhibit dedicated to her photography would be like, I imagine this new exhibit is stunning. This reminds me of the tomb of Tutankhamun: such an historically unimportant king found in such a beautifully decorated tomb, a thought that makes one wildly wonder how much more splendidly the most important rulers' tombs were filled with riches. That said, the second page of this article contains all the information you need to visit the exhibit, including contact information, hours of operation, and more.

King Tutankhamun's Senet Game Board in Photos

Originally published February 2, 2010 | Heritage Key | Heritage Key is working closing with Sandro Vannini to bring visual representation of Tutankhamun's senet board games, which were found in his tomb, possibly denoting his love for the game. In addition to giving a short history of the game and its significance to the ancient Egyptians, the article provides loads of great resources on the matter: a Senet Board slideshow, King Tut Virtual, a video of Vannini's photography, and more.

Founder’s Archaeological Journey to Middle East Featured in Oriental Institute Exhibit

Originally published January 6, 2010 | Oriental Institute | by William Harms |

This article promotes the newest exhibit in the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute Museum called Pioneers of the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East, 1919-1920. It also includes background history of the exhibit's inspiration, J. H. Breasted, and the goals of this exhibit.

Attendance is free, with a suggested donation rate for adults ($7) and children ($4) (very minimal, considering admission to most museums).

Here's an excerpt from the article:

A new exhibition at the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute Museum chronicles an amazing and sometimes dangerous journey 90 years ago by James Henry Breasted, a famed archaeologist who brought back Egyptian artifacts to Chicago.

Pioneers to the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East, 1919–1920, opens Tuesday, Jan. 12 and will feature artifacts as well as photos and letters documenting the journey of Breasted, who was the first American to receive a Ph.D. in Egyptology.

Museum's Egypt Exhibition Follows in Footsteps of Victorian Traveler

Originally published September 3, 2009 | Yorkshire Post

The Francis Frith's Egypt exhibition, opening next Wednesday, September 9, will feature photographs and ancient objects, including a mummy's mask, jewelery, pottery and textiles. There will be two sets of photographs, those taken by Victorian photographer Francis Frith during the 19th century and those by Egyptologist Bob Partridge of modern times. Partridge's photographs will showcase how Egyptian monuments have changed since Frith's time.

King Tut Explorer’s Photos, Treasures Revealed

Originally published July 16, 2009 | MSNBC | by Rossella Lorenzi

The Highclere cache is just a tiny part of a magnificent collection which Almina, Lord Carnarvon's wife and the illegitimate daughter of Alfred de Rothschild of the famous banking family, sold to the Metropolitan Museum in New York in 1926.

The long-hidden collection is now presented in its full glory in the cellars of the castle, along with hundreds of unpublished photographs taken by Lord Carnarvon between 1907 and 1914. They were discovered two years ago in the family archives by Fiona, the Eighth Countess of Carnarvon.

The following is a direct link to the exhibit.

Photos - Meroe is One of Archaeology's Greatest Mysteries

Originally published July 4, 2009 | Sudan Watch | by Ingrid Jones

Jones showcases several lovely photos of Meroe and the pyramid field of Nuri, describing these featured monuments and their place in history.

Two Hundred Years of the Déscription de l'Egypte

Originally published June 25 - July 1, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by David Tresilian

This articles speaks of a new exhibit at l'église du Dôme at Les Invalides in Paris that's dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the publication of Déscription de l'Egypte, which contains plates from the work and memorabilia and images of the French scientists involved.

The author gives a brief summary of Napoleon, his endeavors in Egypt, and some information on complimentary exhibits at Les Invalides.

Provided also is exhibit information.

Early Pyramid Photo Revealed

Originally published June 15, 2009 | Amateur Photographer | by Chris Cheesman

Images of Egypt will be part of a Vintage Photography sale at Dominic Winter Book Auctions in Gloucestershire, UK Wednesday, June 17.

Visit the Dominic Winter Book Auctions web site to view what's for sale.

The following are direct links to images of Egypt:

• Egypt and Syria


• Egypt


• Frith's Series. The Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx


• Frith - Egypt A


• Frith - Egypt B


• Sebah - Statue of Ramses II at Luxor

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.