Classics and Egyptology Summer Classes at the University of Liverpool

Accessed June 1, 2010 | Egypt at the Manchester Museum | by Karen Exell | The School of Archaeology at the University of Liverpool is offering a summer school program that runs from July 26 through August 6 for those interested in the Classics or Egyptology. More information, including booking details and programme guides are available at the above link.

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.

Publication - The Gazelle in Ancient Egyptian Art: Image and Meaning

Accessed October 23, 2009 | Electronic Tools and Ancient Near Eastern Archives

The following 2009 publication is a doctoral thesis penned by Åsa Strandberg of Uppsala University. Here is an excerpt from the abstract and the permalink to access the thesis:

This thesis establishes the basic images of the gazelle in ancient Egyptian art and their meaning. A chronological overview of the categories of material featuring gazelle images is presented as a background to an interpretation.

Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Artifacts from Brooklyn Museum Explores the Afterlife

Originally published September 27, 2009 | Art Daily

Book - The Hittites' Thousand Gods

Originally published September 23, 2009 | Haaretz - Israel News | by Irit Ziffer

International Conference - Achievements and Problems of Modern Egyptology

Accessed September 15, 2009 | CESRAS (Centre for Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences)

Coming to Moscow September 29 - October 4, 2009, the CESRAS will host an international conference to share experience between scholars of different countries and to discuss the latest achievements in the field of Egyptology and Egyptian archaeology, study of history, culture, religion and languages of Ancient, Graeco-Roman and Coptic Egypt. In addition, there is an exhibit associated with the conference called The Royal Cache. Secrets of Pharaohs, which features objects from the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Follow the above link to information about the committee, the themes, location, and fees of the conference, and contacts.

Scholars' Colloquium Days at the ROM

Accessed September 4, 2009 | Royal Ontario Museum

November 6 and 8, 2009 will bring to the ROM a free event, known as Scholar's Colloquium Days, where those interested in attending can "enjoy a wide variety of short papers on all aspects of ancient Egypt, from reports on recent digs to careful consideration and re-evaluation of religion, art, history, literature and politics." Program information including location, contacts, and date/time is given; click the above link to view this information.

Symposium - Egypt in its African Context

Originally published August 28, 2009 | Egypt at the Manchester

The following event is especially for those who have a passion for Ancient Egypt, African Studies, Black History, museums, and the Sudan. A program guide for this symposium is available; click the provided link to access it. I've also included a direct link to the University of Manchester web site, where you will find outline, key speaker, fee and registration, and contact information.

The Art of the Amarna Period

Originally published August 20 - 26, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online

The inspiration for this article comes in the form of a statue of an Amarna princess of unknown origins. The estimated time of its creation is the Amarna Period. With that, the rest of the article chronicles the life and times of Akhenaten, his wife Nefertiti, their children, and their life and religion that was the foundation for what is known as the Amarna Period.

I think this period is the most intriguing due to its complete lack of interest in the norm in Egyptian art and religion (perhaps it's better said that Akhenaten was uninterested in keeping to old traditions). You have to admire him for his originality and passion for his family.

Brief History of Sheep and Wool

Originally published August 13, 2009 | Fibre2Fashion | by Jenne Giles

This article features a brief paragraph or two about Ancient Egypt's role in the history of sheep and wool. Below is an excerpt:

Sheep first entered the African continent via Sinai and were present in Ancient Egypt between 6000 to 5000 BCE, said to have migrated down Africa from Egypt. Sheep were present in ancient Egyptian society between 6000 and 5000 BCE. The ancient Egyptians revered the male sheep, the Ram, for its virility and war-like attributes. Priests were forbidden from wearing wool garments or eating mutton. Similarly, the dead were not buried with wool, nor were sheep's milk and meat offered to the dead in ceremony. It is unsure whether this is because the sheep were considered impure or whether the sheep were manifestations of important gods that prohibited the use of sheep products in Ancient Egypt.

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.

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.

Bare Bones Egypt 2010 Tour

Accessed July 21, 2009 | Andante Travels

The Bare Bones Egypt 2010 tour provides a look into the funerary/religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians through their monuments and art. The above link will bring you to a page from Andante Travels that lists all the tour's information: a descriptor, itinerary, what's included in the tour, flight and hotel information, a map of where the tour will be located, a reading list, and an electronic means of booking the tour. Pricing is also provided, along with information on the tour guide (Lucia Gahlin).

Other tours include Egypt - land of the Pharaohs 2009 (October 11-26, 2009) and Egypt - land of the Pharaohs 2010 (March 21-April 5, 2010).

Long Distance Courses in Egyptology

Originally published July 16, 2009 | Challenging the Past Blog | by Marsia Sfakianou Bealby

If you are willing to dish out $399 to participate in each of these classes, with a discount if you enroll in two or more classes, read on.

Classes offered are the following: Part 1 - History, Part 2 - Religious Beliefs and Funerary Practices, Part 3 - Literature and Related Texts, Part 4 - Daily Life in Ancient Egypt (coming soon). Each course has its own book that you receive when you enroll.

Download the virus free application form and fill it out if you are interested in any of these courses. The form also includes contact information and a more detailed description for each class.

Spellbound in Brooklyn

Originally published July 14, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online | by Morgan Moroney

Housed in a small gallery off the Brooklyn Museum's Egyptian wing is "Magic in Ancient Egypt: Image, Word, and Reality," an exhibition on view until October 8, 2009. Highlighting 20 objects from the museum's collection, it emphasizes how magic and religion, magic and science, even magic and health care, were inseparable in ancient Egypt. Despite its small stature and lack of videos or interactive computer displays, which sometimes overwhelm artifacts in exhibitions nowadays, "Magic" was an enjoyable presentation of a fascinating subject.

New Book - Archaeology of Religion

Accessed July 20, 2009 | Left Coast Press Inc.

Steadman fills an empty niche in the offerings on how archaeology interprets past religions with this useful textbook. The book includes case studies from around the world, from the study of Upper Paleolithic religions and of shamans in foraging societies to formal religious structures in advanced complex societies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and the Andes. Steadman also includes key contemporary religions--Christianity, Islam, Buddhism among others--to provide an historical and comparative context. This is an ideal text for an Archaeology of Religion course or classes that include a significant component on "past religions," as well as for general readers.

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.

Egyptologist Pulls Together Threads Woven Through Ancient Civilizations

Originally published June 30, 2009 | UCLA Today | by Meg Sullivan

The anticipated new six-part series that will be airing on the Discovery Channel entitled Out of Egypt follows Kara Cooney and other authorities in discovering reasonable explanations for parallels in religious and burial traditions and settlement patterns across a range of cultures with no documented previous contact with each other. They will trace themes and variations on six traditions across 12 cultures and 10 countries. In addition, this article describes the series' development.

Pagans, Atheists and Nature Worshippers

Accessed June 12, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Jill Kamil

Jill Kamil and her friends find themselves disagreeing on what the term "pagan" really means. Through much discussion, she concludes that it has many meanings that become blurred sometimes, with misunderstandings following suit, but when it comes to Ancient Egypt, the negative connotations should not apply. I agree.

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.