News from 1st June to 21st June

Much embarrassment. Has three weeks really passed since my last post?  I knew that it had been a while but I had no idea that it was that long.  Apparently time also passes when you're up to your ears in chaos! 

Here's the usual, albeit belated roundup, with an emphasis in the media on the terrible looting of Egyptian sites.  It needs highlighting, so that's a good thing, but it is a ghastly outcome of the so-called revolution that it is happening at all.   Other stories, with much better news, are inevitably overshadowed but should not be forgotten.

This is, inevitably, a rather long post.  Sorry!

The recently excavated Avenue of the Sphinxes,
Luxor (photograph taken in early 2011)

Fieldwork

A new discovery has been made at the Hyksos fortress at Tell el Yahodiya in the Nile Delta. With photos. Luxor Times http://bit.ly/14mzhOK

Remains of a town inhabited from around 2000BC until the Graeco-Roman era discovered in Qalioubiya area. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/13YLOaL

Town of admin staff and workers who built Giza pyramids suffered multiple flash floods in Old Kingdom. New Scientist http://bit.ly/18Xk8Zy

4 minute YouTube video, in Spanish, re recent work at Qubbet el Hawa (Aswan), including opening of a sealed chamber. http://bit.ly/17iwwE3

Arqueólogos españoles hallan un doble sarcófago de 4.000 años en Egipto http://qwapo.es/16D8NKT

Acceden a una cámara intacta de más de 4.000 años en la necrópolis faraónica Qubbet el Hawa, Aswan. Europa Press http://bit.ly/14fOVeT

Update on work being carried out in Karakhamun’s burial chamber. South Asasif Project http://bit.ly/1bERhpT

Update from recent excavations at Abydos. Penn Museum Artifact Lab http://bit.ly/11X4yEG 

Archaeos excavating in the Sudan have uncovered a necropolis where hundreds of small pyramids once stood. Archaeology http://bit.ly/117JS1c

Human bone study at Amarna and other topics. I have copied the latest email update from the Amarna team to my blog at http://bit.ly/13MSp8p

Gebel el Silsila Survey Project season finale - lots of info and some great pics http://bit.ly/198HZ8P

A section of a New Kingdom stele listing offerings made to gods was discovered at Matariya in Cairo. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/OXjl0m 

Research

Polish scientists will examine how climate changed in Egypt thousands of years ago. Nauka W Polske http://bit.ly/14aEPvt

Pyramids of Giza built by trade unions of hired workers? Pravda http://bit.ly/10VfGCO

Unpublished 18th century manuscript on hieroglyphs, believed lost, now presented by the Griffith Institute: http://www.griffith.ox.ac.uk/bracci-special/

A previously unknown album of drawings by Amelia Edwards recently identified in the GI Archive. Griffith Institute http://bit.ly/1bMEbXR

Elephant and giraffe hair? No problem! Includes 18th Dynasty elephant-hair basket. Penn Artifact Lab http://bit.ly/17fGFRY

More re conservation work by Massachusetts General Hospital on mummy Padihershef. Washington Post http://wapo.st/18VX7ni

The Edinburgh Casing Stone – A piece of Giza at the National Museum of Scotland. Arkysite http://bit.ly/17ldAU5

Scientists investigate a 3,000-yr-old mummy discovered in Scotland after more than 7 decades in storage. Channel4 http://bit.ly/15Gegzu

Boston hospital cleaning 2,500-year-old mummy of Padihershef. PhysOrg http://bit.ly/14laVXz

The mysteries of the Egyptian hairstyles by Collection Correspondent Monika Zgoda. UCL Collections blog http://bit.ly/12qDvJ2 

Heritage Management and Looting

Why does Shura Council’s culture, tourism + media committee want to modify present antiquities law? Al Ahram Weekly http://bit.ly/149TXch

More re the armed gang that attacked 5 Aswan tombs, robbed their contents + dug several holes nearby. Al Ahram Weekly http://bit.ly/11QKgwI

Activists in Cairo and Alex call for protests aimed at saving local historical site from destruction. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/11O1Jqt

More re looting at Dashour, Abusir al Malaq and elsewhere. With slideshow showing some of the travesty. Triblive http://bit.ly/1c2ZxAf

Ancient Heliopolis under threat. Daily News Egypt http://bit.ly/1bX7bMu

Forbidden by Islam, grave-robbing has exploded since the 2011 revolution. More from TribLive re looting in Egypt http://bit.ly/16fPWoj

More re the looting of Egypt’s ancient Roman Antinopolis. Hurriyet Daily News http://bit.ly/11GZzbl

Human bones lie scattered with broken ancient mud bricks at the looted settlement site of El-Hibeh. TribLive http://bit.ly/14dcftx

We only sell real thing, Egyptian grave-robbing family in village of Abu Sir al Malaq boasts. TribLive http://bit.ly/11G0bxY

Dr. Monica Hanna, an Egyptian archaeologist, risks life, career to expose looting. TribLive http://bit.ly/14cS5Qr

Depressing account of looting: Unchecked looting guts Egypt’s heritage with 1 ancient site 70 percent gone. TribLive http://bit.ly/16aUmgk

Minister for Antiquities says new committee will confront worsening conditions near Giza Pyramids. Daily News Egypt http://bit.ly/164JtMR

A nobles' tomb site, not yet fully excavated, has been looted in Aswan. 4 other Aswan sites looted too. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/ZX0l7D

Antiquities ministry forms National Committee on heritage sites and plans monthly reviews. Daily News Egypt http://bit.ly/15XW18Y

Cultural non-profit complains of lack of access to Egyptian heritage site thanks to high fee. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/16aSfJp

Antiquities ministry leads a new govmnt committee that will aim to protect UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/17agvQi

Ministry for Antiquities awaiting the green light from Cairo Governorate to begin renovation. Daily News Egypt http://bit.ly/19wDJjA

Ministry of Antiquities issues a statement regarding monuments’ security. Daily News Egypt http://bit.ly/1a14TO8

After years of neglect the Abbey Church of the Apostles in Atfih in Giza regains its original splendour. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/183i7eX

Looting continues of sites, urban and rural, contributing to the dramatic loss of Egypt’s heritage. Daily News Egypt http://bit.ly/18XmSpK 

Books

Book Review: C.Bilsel. Antiquity on Display: Regimes of the Authentic in Berlin's Pergamon Museum. OUP 2012. BMCR http://bit.ly/10CUbfd 

Book Review: Andrew Monson, From the Ptolemies to the Romans: Political and Economic Change in Egypt. CUP 2012 BMCR http://bit.ly/11k1nro 

Conferences

The synopses for eleven of the ARCE 2013 panel sessions is now ready for your enjoyment. Emhotep http://bit.ly/16ZjL0Z 

27th International Congress of Papyrologists / XXVIIe Congrès international de papyrologie. What's New In Papyrology http://bit.ly/17rsrgW 

3DPetrie will give a workshop at the Museums Association conference in Nov '13 in Liverpool. More information: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie/research/3dpetrie/3dpetrie-news/2013-06-21MA-conference … …

1st International Conference on Heritage Conservation & Site Management, Cairo, 8-11 Dec 2013: http://www.heritage.edu.eg/index-en.htm 

Museums and exhibitions

260 yrs ago the British Museum came into being: 7 June 1753, the British Museum Act received royal assent. Brit Mus http://bit.ly/17tfVMS 

A plan to restore security in museums and archaeological sites across Egypt is finally going ahead. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/199PfkK 

The Post Office Museum in Attaba recalls the days when pigeons, camels and boats transported mail. Egyptian Gazette http://bit.ly/11PAsE7 

The revamped State Information Service page about the existing and new Egyptian Museums in Cairo. SIS http://bit.ly/19kowQ0 

Unwrap a real mummy – Museum visitors explore historic artifacts using state of the art 3D reality capture. http://buff.ly/1bWexzS 

The mystery of the spinning statuette (II) http://wp.me/pfm2O-zB 

Eternal Egypt Lives on in the Hall of Ancient Egypt at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Houston Press http://bit.ly/11nWpO6 

Somewhat confused story about the continuing decay of a mummy in the Hyderabad museum. Deccan Chronicle http://bit.ly/11kBmfw 

Chiddingstone Castle has a new display of its Egyptian artefacts after shipping exhibits out to America. ThisIsKent http://bit.ly/1bMCJEI 

Slideshow: Chiddingstone Castle in UK loans Egyptian artefacts to Houston (US) museum. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-22773779 …

Two new exhibits at Philadelphia's Penn Museum offer a new way to look at race, war and mummies. Penn Live http://bit.ly/1264hPN 

Janet Kamien, internationally renowned consultant who brought museum exhibits to life. Chicago Sun-Times http://bit.ly/15XHytz 

Exhib of photo portraits explores how cultural achievements of ancient Middle East contributed to modern life. O.I. http://bit.ly/11mn6y4 

Art at Villa Borghese's Egyptian Museum back in Cairo. ANSAmed http://bit.ly/16RCbk6 

Secret Egypt, at Worcester City Art Gallery/Museum, will bring together more than 100 objects. Worcester News http://bit.ly/10T9bnx 

El sótano de la La Casa de los Botines en León albergará mascotas embalsamadas hace más de 25 siglos. Ushebtis http://bit.ly/17kGjbN 

Heracleion, lost for 1200 years below Mediterranean sea, set to go on display. With map, video and pics. Daily Mail http://dailym.ai/16M0lMP 

Ancient Egpyt (and T-Rex) in Chicago: The Field Museum and the Oriental Institute Museum. Egyptian Archaeology blog http://bit.ly/16RxNBF 

Antiquities ministry employees closed Cairo's Egyptian Museum to tourists in protest re pay, contracts. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/1b0fLcR 

Smuggling and repatriation

Director-general of Repatriation, Antiquities Department, resigns citing poor cooperation at Ministry of Antiquities http://bit.ly/ZtFGHW 

Egypt asks UN to help stop auction of rare Quran manuscript that vanished from Al-Azhar mosque in 18thC. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/13ec8ia 

Free online articles

A brief journey into medical care and disease in ancient Egypt by Richard Sullivan. http://bit.ly/19j4GVt . Via @historyancient

Did the Ancient Egyptians of the Old, Middle & New Kingdom ever reach Malta and the Central Mediterranean? http://ow.ly/maA9s 

Article in Spanish: Antes de Tutankhamon. Ushebtis http://bit.ly/17E7TAS 

Rule and Revenue in Egypt and Rome: Political Stability and Fiscal Institutions http://ow.ly/lHzO0 

Journals and Magazine  

The new issue of the British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan (Issue 20, May 2013) is available free online http://bit.ly/169qXDH 

Cahiers de Karnak 14, english summaries : http://www.cfeetk.cnrs.fr/index.php?page=karnak-14-resumes …

Digital Projects

Official launch of the Karnak project (v. 0.) based on a comprehensive inventory of documents + inscriptions. CFEETK http://bit.ly/1168es0 

Historians and Digital History: Why Do Academics Shy Away from Digital History? ActiveHistory http://bit.ly/13zEWBM 

Travel and Tourism

Travel and tourism: "Come to Egypt – you'll have the place practically to yourself." The Independent http://ind.pn/148urEE 

US embassy in Cairo instructs nationals to avoid Giza Plateau, citing recent 'criminal conduct' in area. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/15p82UC

More re concerns about uncontrolled behaviour of some vendors and parking attendants at Giza plateau. Al Ahram Weekly http://bit.ly/17rvpSr 

Ahram Online has more on the outcry over Luxor's newly appointed governor, a story that has been taken up worldwide. http://bit.ly/11QI2O3 

Concerns for tourism as new governor is member of militant group responsible for 1997 Luxor massacre. The Guardian http://bit.ly/13VaErX 

Luxor tourism workers protested re new Islamist governor linked to a group responsible for 90s terror shooting. ABC http://abcn.ws/127mHzB 

Tourism insiders voice misgivings over new Luxor governor, a leading member of a formerly-violent group. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/17TEh2s 

New governor appointed to Luxor, good choice or the last nail in the coffin? Luxor Times http://bit.ly/1bMFVjU 

Another new committee, this time to address harassment at the Giza pyramids. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/13O3Aii 

Exploring the Fayoum Oasis. Egyptian Gazette http://bit.ly/10XGR3z 

Minister of Antiquities says US embassy warning over Giza pyramids is baseless. Ahram Online http://bit.ly/16yU86O 

Avec 14,6% de touristes en plus par rapport au premier trimestre 2012 le début de l'année semble positif. Ahram Hebdo http://bit.ly/18NiY06 

  
Job Opportunities

New opportunity for training in risk management at World Heritage sites. UNESCO http://bit.ly/16QLopl 

Obituary

Obituary: Kew botanist Nigel Hepper, author of Pharaoh’s Flowers: the Botanical Treasures of Tutankhamun (1990) http://ind.pn/16CjyRd 

Miscellaneous 

An "insanely rare" pottery seal mold from Tutankhamun's workshop up for auction at Antiquities Saleroom. Art Daily http://bit.ly/17i3DXJ 

Following in the footsteps of a British woman who believed she was the reincarnation of a priestess. Thailand Nation http://bit.ly/11nadZb 

Congratulations to UCLA Egyptology for the NEH grant in Digital Humanities http://tinyurl.com/lokjme8 

Call for submissions: The 2014 edition of *The Archaeology Channel* International Film and Video Festival. http://bit.ly/12LCP19 

Interview with Zahi Hawass, who is clear of legal charges, free to travel and plans a comeback tour. Live Science http://fxn.ws/10Vx5yJ 

Architect Hassan Fathy is perhaps Egypt's most renowned architect from the 20th century, but why? Cairobserver http://bit.ly/15H5cef 

Doing more in Egypt. Latest blog post from Egypt Exploration Society Director Chris Naunton.EES Director's Blog http://bit.ly/16B0nqW 

Update from Amarna: Human bone study at Amarna and other topics

The latest email news update from Barry Kemp and Anna Stevens:

2013 physical anthropology study period

Following a break of two weeks at the end of the spring excavation season (for the cemetery part see the Amarna Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/amarnaproject?ref=mf), the house and expedition opened again, on May 18th, for the start of the 2013 physical anthropology study period, that is due to end on June 13th. Led by Prof Jerry Rose, assisted by Dr Gretchen Dabbs, the 15-person group travelled by chartered bus to Amarna and quickly got to work. Facing them this time is twice as many bones as in the past. Since the 2012 study period, two full field seasons of excavation at the South Tombs Cemetery have taken place. The result is whole or partial skeletons of 141 individuals, who take the full total of individuals since excavation began in 2006 to 401.

The bones are stored, by individual, in large plastic crates and skull boxes, labelled as to circumstances of finding (date, location, etc). They still retain, however, a coating of sand that needs to be carefully brushed off over fine-mesh sieves. In order to hasten this, four of the regular cemetery workmen (led by Walid Mohammed Omar) are doing this necessary job.  As the individuals emerge from their 'dry-cleaning' episode, they are laid out in full anatomical order on the tables in the workrooms. They are then recorded according to a full bioanthropological protocol. Beyond this, several specific research projects are under way, some of them assisted by the expedition's on-site x-ray facility.

A few photographs can be seen at:

https://www.facebook.com/amarnaproject/photos_stream

In some cases, the hair remains on the skulls, sometimes as a full head of hair. Often, however, ancient robbery has separated skull and hair, and the latter is found loose in the sand. When taken together, the eight seasons of excavation have provided a large collection. For a second time, the team was joined by Jolanda Bos from The Netherlands. Jolanda is an archaeologist and heritage consultant who has studied hair plaiting and beadwork amongst African societies. She began this time by improving the means of storing skulls with hair that will keep them stable, creating for each a paper bonnet that still allows the anthropologists access to the jaw and front of the skull for cranial measurements and dental research.

Her Amarna findings are exciting. "The amount of complete hairstyles dating to such a limited and specific period is unique, especially in combination with the preservation conditions and the ethnic complexity of the group." A wide variety of types of hair, ranging from very curly black hair, to middle brown straight hair were present amongst the skulls, showing the ethnic diversity of the Amarna sample. No wigs were found, the preference being for hair extensions for which abundant evidence is present. The extensions were either braided or tied into the hair of the individual. It became clear that on almost all skulls which were analyzed, fat was used to model the hairstyles. On all skulls very fine pieces of textile were found covering the hair. Whether or not this was only done for burial or whether it was the general practice in daily life as well remains unclear. The textile found on the top of the head retained traces where fat cones had been placed, but textile was also present on the back and side of the head.

The remains of possible fat cones were discovered on most of the skulls examined.

At least three cases were identified of sidelocks on the skulls of children, the ages being four and a half, eight and a half and nine and a half. On the back and the side of some of the skulls, botanical remains were found. They seem to have been bound with string to the back of the head of the individual; sometimes they were found in relation with a strip of textile. Possibly these are the remains of floral garlands draped around the head of the deceased.

Bones, hair and much, much more is stored in the expedition storerooms, or magazines, situated beside the expedition house. This time the keys and responsibility are entrusted to Inspector Edward Rushdi, who otherwise helps to look after the central regional magazines at El-Ashmunein.

Enhancing and enlarging storage is a constant need. We have just added two new sets of steel storage racking, manufactured by two brothers who have a wrought-iron business in Mallawi across the river. One of the sets was paid for by a donation from the Sussex Ancient Egypt Society.

New publication

The Egypt Exploration Society has recently published a further Amarna monograph, one arising from research on Amarna's other major archaeological period, that of the early Christian communities who established themselves in the rock tombs and on desert sites. The details are:

Jane Faiers, Late Roman Glassware and Pottery from Amarna and Related Studies. With contributions by Gillian Pyke and Wendy Smith. One Hundred and Second Excavation Memoir. London, EES 2013. 267 pages and many illustrations. It includes detailed information on the distribution of glass and pottery from the excavations carried out at the Kom el-Nana monastery.

Forthcoming tours

1) Between Saturday, October 5th and Saturday, October 19th Barry Kemp will accompany a tour from Aswan through Middle Egypt to Cairo. Two full days will be spent at Amarna. The tour, entitled 'Cities of the Nile', will be run by Ancient World Tours, a long-time supporter of the Amarna expedition.

A further, similar tour is planned for October 2014. Consult:

www.ancient.co.uk and tel. +44 844 357 9494

2) Between Monday, December 9th and Sunday, December 22nd the Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society plans to run a Study Tour to Lower Egypt, including the Faiyum, Alexandria and the Delta, taking in a number of rarely visited sites. The trip will be led by Barry Kemp and Dr Rawia Ismail. A donation will be made to the Amarna Trust. Attached are an itinerary, booking form and information sheet. See also chairman@tvaes.org.uk

Major conservation grant

We are delighted to report that the Amarna expedition has been awarded a major grant for the conservation of the decorated wooden coffins from the South Tombs Cemetery. The grant comes from USAID, as administered by the American Research Center's Antiquities Endowment Fund. This stage of the conservation programme will commence at Amarna during 2014.

That the Amarna expedition is able to run lengthy seasons of fieldwork, conservation and research also owes a great deal to the continuing support of members of the public. Thank you!

Barry Kemp/Anna Stevens