http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/ABZU/AbzuNew04.2005.html
The Etana-Abzu news update from Charles Jones says that 91 items were catalogued in Abzu during April 2005. The above link lists all 91 new items.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
The Saqqara Mummy In Pictures
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4510433.stm
http://www.egyptdailynews.com/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/05/04/wmummy04.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/05/04/ixworld.html
Photographs of the new 30th Dynasty Mummy from Saqqara. It's a beauty. On the Telegraph link, you will need to click on the "Pics" link at the top of the page, underneath the title, to see the show of images.
http://www.egyptdailynews.com/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/05/04/wmummy04.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/05/04/ixworld.html
Photographs of the new 30th Dynasty Mummy from Saqqara. It's a beauty. On the Telegraph link, you will need to click on the "Pics" link at the top of the page, underneath the title, to see the show of images.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Divine Creatures (Book Review)
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5043
Edited by Salima Ikram, the book Divine Creatures "is basically a series of essays written on the subject of animal mummies and mummification that starts by addressing the general and most accessible and then progresses to discuss the more specific and technical. These range from the reasons behind animal mummification to the detailed analysis of particular cults. The book is illustrated throughout with numerous maps of key sites, in both black and white and color, which show the sheer extent of the catacombs." See the article for more.
Edited by Salima Ikram, the book Divine Creatures "is basically a series of essays written on the subject of animal mummies and mummification that starts by addressing the general and most accessible and then progresses to discuss the more specific and technical. These range from the reasons behind animal mummification to the detailed analysis of particular cults. The book is illustrated throughout with numerous maps of key sites, in both black and white and color, which show the sheer extent of the catacombs." See the article for more.
Fairuz Temple, Sinai
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o030525f.htm
"Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni is to inaugurate late this year the temple of Fairuz in Sinai to be ready for receiving visitors after the restoration works that worth L.E. 10 million".
"Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni is to inaugurate late this year the temple of Fairuz in Sinai to be ready for receiving visitors after the restoration works that worth L.E. 10 million".
More on Saqqara 30th Dynasty Sarcophagus
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/03/AR2005050300321.html
"A superbly preserved 2,300-year-old mummy bearing a golden mask and covered in brightly colored images of gods and goddesses was unveiled Tuesday at Egypt's Saqqara Pyramids complex south of Cairo".
See the article for more information.
"A superbly preserved 2,300-year-old mummy bearing a golden mask and covered in brightly colored images of gods and goddesses was unveiled Tuesday at Egypt's Saqqara Pyramids complex south of Cairo".
See the article for more information.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Oxyrhynchus: 666 is not the number of the beast
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=634679
"A newly discovered fragment of the oldest surviving copy of the New Testament indicates that, as far as the Antichrist goes, theologians, scholars, heavy metal groups, and television evangelists have got the wrong number. Instead of 666, it's actually the far less ominous 616."
Read the article for the full story.
"A newly discovered fragment of the oldest surviving copy of the New Testament indicates that, as far as the Antichrist goes, theologians, scholars, heavy metal groups, and television evangelists have got the wrong number. Instead of 666, it's actually the far less ominous 616."
Read the article for the full story.
Hierakonpolis on Archaeology Magazine Site - Updated
http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/hierakonpolis/field/fortd.html
http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/hierakonpolis/field/index.html
Follow the team's stabilization and repair of King Khasekhemwy's Ceremonial Enclosure on the Archaeology Magazine's Hierakonpolis Interactive page.
Plus -
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/hierakonpolis/
Special Report: New Finds from the Elite Cemetery
April 22, 2005 by Mark Rose
http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/hierakonpolis/field/index.html
Follow the team's stabilization and repair of King Khasekhemwy's Ceremonial Enclosure on the Archaeology Magazine's Hierakonpolis Interactive page.
Plus -
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/hierakonpolis/
Special Report: New Finds from the Elite Cemetery
April 22, 2005 by Mark Rose
Old Kingdom Pharaonic Seals
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1540&ncid=1540&e=4&u=/afp/20050428/sc_afp/egyptantiquities_050428171429
"Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a number of rare Pharaonic seals of soldiers sent out on desert missions in search of red paint to decorate the pyramids . . . . [They] belonged to Cheops, who ruled from 2551 to 2528 BC, in whose honour the greatest of the great pyramids of Giza southwest of Cairo was built, and show Pharaonic soldiers' ranks."
"Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a number of rare Pharaonic seals of soldiers sent out on desert missions in search of red paint to decorate the pyramids . . . . [They] belonged to Cheops, who ruled from 2551 to 2528 BC, in whose honour the greatest of the great pyramids of Giza southwest of Cairo was built, and show Pharaonic soldiers' ranks."
30th Dynasty Sarcophagus
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=588&art_id=qw1114769521597B221
A sarcophagus has been found at Saqqara beneath a layer of sand, dating to the 30th Dynasty. Numerous ceramic amulets were found at the site, but they have not given any clues about the identity of the owner of the sarcophagus.
A sarcophagus has been found at Saqqara beneath a layer of sand, dating to the 30th Dynasty. Numerous ceramic amulets were found at the site, but they have not given any clues about the identity of the owner of the sarcophagus.
Sarabit el-Khadem Opens
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5059
"Sarabit el-Khadem, the only ancient Egyptian temple in Sinai, is scheduled to appear on tourist itineraries in the coming months. The temple, southeast of Abu Zneima city in South Sinai, was recently restored at a cost of LE 10 million. Built in homage to Hat-Hor (the lady of Turquoise) in the 12th dynasty, the temple juxtaposes a number of turquoise mining caves that were used in ancient times."
"Sarabit el-Khadem, the only ancient Egyptian temple in Sinai, is scheduled to appear on tourist itineraries in the coming months. The temple, southeast of Abu Zneima city in South Sinai, was recently restored at a cost of LE 10 million. Built in homage to Hat-Hor (the lady of Turquoise) in the 12th dynasty, the temple juxtaposes a number of turquoise mining caves that were used in ancient times."
New Antiquities Law
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5059
"The Supreme Council for Antiquities is preparing a new antiquities law to replace the current one, Law 117 for the year 1983. According to Zahi Hawass, the SCA’s high-profile secretary-general, the old law is no longer suitable because the penalties it imposes for the crimes of antiquity trafficking are not strong enough. The law will be presented to the People’s Assembly when it reconvenes for its next legislative season after the anticipated fall parliamentary and presidential elections".
"The Supreme Council for Antiquities is preparing a new antiquities law to replace the current one, Law 117 for the year 1983. According to Zahi Hawass, the SCA’s high-profile secretary-general, the old law is no longer suitable because the penalties it imposes for the crimes of antiquity trafficking are not strong enough. The law will be presented to the People’s Assembly when it reconvenes for its next legislative season after the anticipated fall parliamentary and presidential elections".
Recent Cairo Attacks - Impacts on Tourism
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/05/02/wegypt02.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/05/02/ixworld.html
"Seven tourists were reported to be injured in Saturday's incidents, which came less than a month after a bomb near Cairo's well-visited central bazaar. Two French tourists and an American died in that attack. The government sought yesterday to play down Saturday's attacks as 'isolated'. Dr Ahmed Nazif, Egypt's prime minister said the attack did not signal the return of violent Islamist militancy. 'I do not think this will be a pattern in Egypt. I am positive that our society and the security services are able to maintain security and safety,' he said.
In spite of his reassurances, the main tourist sites of Cairo were reported to be quiet with few tourists venturing out."
"Seven tourists were reported to be injured in Saturday's incidents, which came less than a month after a bomb near Cairo's well-visited central bazaar. Two French tourists and an American died in that attack. The government sought yesterday to play down Saturday's attacks as 'isolated'. Dr Ahmed Nazif, Egypt's prime minister said the attack did not signal the return of violent Islamist militancy. 'I do not think this will be a pattern in Egypt. I am positive that our society and the security services are able to maintain security and safety,' he said.
In spite of his reassurances, the main tourist sites of Cairo were reported to be quiet with few tourists venturing out."
I've Been Away - Apologies
I've been away for a few days, and Nancy hasn't been able to post to the Blog, so apologies for the large gap and the sudden influx of catch-up news items.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Tourism And Archaeology
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/pageloader.php?file=2005/04/27/editorial/editorial2
Zahi Hawass talking about the impacts of tourism on archaeology.
Zahi Hawass talking about the impacts of tourism on archaeology.
5th Dynasty Relief Returned to Egypt
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=4&article_id=14606
"A Brussels museum will hand over to Egypt a limestone relief that had been smuggled out of the country more than 30 years ago, an Egyptian antiquities official said Monday. The Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels, Belgium, agreed to return the relief, which was stolen from the Giza tomb of a 5th dynasty priest, Senenu, said Zahi Hawass, the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. In return, an archaeological mission belonging to the museum will be allowed to continue its work in Egypt, he said".
See the article for more
"A Brussels museum will hand over to Egypt a limestone relief that had been smuggled out of the country more than 30 years ago, an Egyptian antiquities official said Monday. The Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels, Belgium, agreed to return the relief, which was stolen from the Giza tomb of a 5th dynasty priest, Senenu, said Zahi Hawass, the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. In return, an archaeological mission belonging to the museum will be allowed to continue its work in Egypt, he said".
See the article for more
Nancy - New Blog Member
A big welcome to Nancy, who posted the previous feature, and is now going to be a member of this blog. Until we can figure out why the Membership functionality won't work, her postings will still be in my name, but we hope to have that sorted soon. Hopefully this will help to cover some of the glaring gaps when I go away for a few days!
All the best
Andie
All the best
Andie
Prehistoric Egyptian Tomb Discovered
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7575547/
"Archaeologists digging in a 5,600-year-old funeral site in southern Egypt unearthed seven corpses believed to date to the era, as well as an intact figure of a cow's head carved from flint.
The American-Egyptian excavation team made the discoveries in what they described as the largest funerary complex ever found that dates to the elusive five-millennia-old Predynastic era, Egypt's Supreme Council of antiquities said Wednesday. "This is a major discovery, and will add greatly to our knowledge of the period when Egypt was first becoming a nation," said Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Chief archaeologist.
In the area of Kom El-Ahmar, known in antiquity as Hierakonpolis, 370 miles (600 miles) south of Cairo, the team working for five years in the area excavated a complex thought to belong to a ruler of the ancient city who reigned around 3600 B.C. The find is significant because little is known about the early phase of Predynastic period. That era predates the unification of upper and lower Egypt that triggered the well-known Dynastic era, when ancient Egypt's pharaohs ruled.
Little remains from the Predynastic period. Objects that have survived are either in bad shape or have been smuggled out of the country.
grave sites at Kom El-Ahmar appear to date to the early Naqada II era, a time when the settlement at Hierakonpolis was at its peak and the city was the largest urban center on the Nile. The complex, which is enclosed in a well-preserved wall of wooden posts, consists of a large rectangular tomb covered with the earliest known superstructure.
Against the enclosure wall in an ash-laden deposit, excavators came across a complete figurine of a cow head carved from flint. Diggers found a flint figure of an ibex in the same tomb, now on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Hawass said Egyptian flint figurines are extremely rare. Only 50 have been discovered to date. He said the uncovering two fine examples in one site is a stroke of luck.
Excavators also found 46 limestone fragments from Egypt's earliest lifesize human statue, along with fragments of two ceramic funerary masks and a collection of fine pots that point to the date of the complex.
Although the tomb and its surroundings were severely plundered in antiquity, excavators unearthed four bodies at one end of the tomb. The position of the corpses suggests that they may belong to sacrificed servants or prisoners who were buried at the foot of the grave, a common practice in the 1st Dynasty, Hawass said.
A second tomb housed well-preserved remains of three adults as well as textile and padding used to wrap the corpses before covering them with thick matting.
Eight deep post-holes, four on each side, were found at the longest side of the burial chamber, three of which still bear remains of the ancient wooden posts. Six more post-holes to the east, in two rows, suggest the presence of an offering chapel.
A deposit of burnt ostrich eggshell found at the site is thought to convey the desire to magically ensure rebirth.
Excavations at the site started in 2000 under the leadership of famed Egyptologist Barbara Adams, who died in 2002. The work continues under Renee Friedman, the current head of the American team".
"Archaeologists digging in a 5,600-year-old funeral site in southern Egypt unearthed seven corpses believed to date to the era, as well as an intact figure of a cow's head carved from flint.
The American-Egyptian excavation team made the discoveries in what they described as the largest funerary complex ever found that dates to the elusive five-millennia-old Predynastic era, Egypt's Supreme Council of antiquities said Wednesday. "This is a major discovery, and will add greatly to our knowledge of the period when Egypt was first becoming a nation," said Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Chief archaeologist.
In the area of Kom El-Ahmar, known in antiquity as Hierakonpolis, 370 miles (600 miles) south of Cairo, the team working for five years in the area excavated a complex thought to belong to a ruler of the ancient city who reigned around 3600 B.C. The find is significant because little is known about the early phase of Predynastic period. That era predates the unification of upper and lower Egypt that triggered the well-known Dynastic era, when ancient Egypt's pharaohs ruled.
Little remains from the Predynastic period. Objects that have survived are either in bad shape or have been smuggled out of the country.
grave sites at Kom El-Ahmar appear to date to the early Naqada II era, a time when the settlement at Hierakonpolis was at its peak and the city was the largest urban center on the Nile. The complex, which is enclosed in a well-preserved wall of wooden posts, consists of a large rectangular tomb covered with the earliest known superstructure.
Against the enclosure wall in an ash-laden deposit, excavators came across a complete figurine of a cow head carved from flint. Diggers found a flint figure of an ibex in the same tomb, now on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Hawass said Egyptian flint figurines are extremely rare. Only 50 have been discovered to date. He said the uncovering two fine examples in one site is a stroke of luck.
Excavators also found 46 limestone fragments from Egypt's earliest lifesize human statue, along with fragments of two ceramic funerary masks and a collection of fine pots that point to the date of the complex.
Although the tomb and its surroundings were severely plundered in antiquity, excavators unearthed four bodies at one end of the tomb. The position of the corpses suggests that they may belong to sacrificed servants or prisoners who were buried at the foot of the grave, a common practice in the 1st Dynasty, Hawass said.
A second tomb housed well-preserved remains of three adults as well as textile and padding used to wrap the corpses before covering them with thick matting.
Eight deep post-holes, four on each side, were found at the longest side of the burial chamber, three of which still bear remains of the ancient wooden posts. Six more post-holes to the east, in two rows, suggest the presence of an offering chapel.
A deposit of burnt ostrich eggshell found at the site is thought to convey the desire to magically ensure rebirth.
Excavations at the site started in 2000 under the leadership of famed Egyptologist Barbara Adams, who died in 2002. The work continues under Renee Friedman, the current head of the American team".
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Bust of Tutankhamum Created from Scans
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/04-25-2005/0003484872&EDATE=
"On Sunday, May 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the National Geographic Channel premieres "King Tut's Final Secrets," a high-tech forensic investigationunveiling new findings related to his death and the first-ever reconstructionof his face and head using revolutionary 3-D CT scan imaging -- revealing whathe looked like on the day he died. This groundbreaking research is alsofeatured as the cover story of National Geographic magazine's June issue. This two-hour world premiere special follows Dr. Zahi Hawass, leadingarchaeologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, as he and a teamof Egyptian scientists remove the mummy from its sarcophagus for the firsttime in more than 25 years. The goal: use state of the art CT scan technologyto solve the mystery surrounding King Tut's death". See the article for more.
"On Sunday, May 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the National Geographic Channel premieres "King Tut's Final Secrets," a high-tech forensic investigationunveiling new findings related to his death and the first-ever reconstructionof his face and head using revolutionary 3-D CT scan imaging -- revealing whathe looked like on the day he died. This groundbreaking research is alsofeatured as the cover story of National Geographic magazine's June issue. This two-hour world premiere special follows Dr. Zahi Hawass, leadingarchaeologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, as he and a teamof Egyptian scientists remove the mummy from its sarcophagus for the firsttime in more than 25 years. The goal: use state of the art CT scan technologyto solve the mystery surrounding King Tut's death". See the article for more.
More on the Oxyrhynchus Papyrii
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/04/0425_050425_papyrus.html
"Salvaged from an ancient garbage dump in Egypt, the collection is kept at Oxford University in England. Known as the Oxyrhynchus Papyri, the collection includes writings by great classical Greek authors such as Homer, Sophocles, and Euripides. Using a technique called multi-spectral imaging, researchers have uncovered texts that include parts of a lost tragedy by Sophocles, the 5th-century B.C. Athenian playwright; sections of a long-vanished novel by Lucian, the second-century Greek writer; and an epic poem by Archilochos, which describes events that led to the Trojan War". See the article for more.
"Salvaged from an ancient garbage dump in Egypt, the collection is kept at Oxford University in England. Known as the Oxyrhynchus Papyri, the collection includes writings by great classical Greek authors such as Homer, Sophocles, and Euripides. Using a technique called multi-spectral imaging, researchers have uncovered texts that include parts of a lost tragedy by Sophocles, the 5th-century B.C. Athenian playwright; sections of a long-vanished novel by Lucian, the second-century Greek writer; and an epic poem by Archilochos, which describes events that led to the Trojan War". See the article for more.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Recent issue of Archaeology Magazine
http://www.archaeology.org/curiss/index.html
The main contents are listed at this link - see below for links to specific features.
http://www.archaeology.org/0505/abstracts/tanis.html
The latest issue of Archaeology Magazine has a feature (both in the print version of the magazine, and online) about the Tanis collection, which, though it has produced some fabulous grave goods from royal tombs, is relatively little-known when compared to sites like the tomb of Tutankhamun. This article describes the discoveries of Pierre Montet, who found these beautiful finds after 11 years of endevour, and remembers this excavator who is very much in the shadow of more famous colleagues.
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/tutwatch/index.html
There is also a set of online items entitled "TutWatch" inspired by the currently touring Tutankhuman exhibtion, which is now in the US. It looks at the subject from a number of perspectives, also has the schedule of the exhibition.
http://www.archaeology.org/online/reviews/egyptologist.html
A review of the Arthur Phillips novel "The Egyptologist" (Random House)
The main contents are listed at this link - see below for links to specific features.
http://www.archaeology.org/0505/abstracts/tanis.html
The latest issue of Archaeology Magazine has a feature (both in the print version of the magazine, and online) about the Tanis collection, which, though it has produced some fabulous grave goods from royal tombs, is relatively little-known when compared to sites like the tomb of Tutankhamun. This article describes the discoveries of Pierre Montet, who found these beautiful finds after 11 years of endevour, and remembers this excavator who is very much in the shadow of more famous colleagues.
http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/tutwatch/index.html
There is also a set of online items entitled "TutWatch" inspired by the currently touring Tutankhuman exhibtion, which is now in the US. It looks at the subject from a number of perspectives, also has the schedule of the exhibition.
http://www.archaeology.org/online/reviews/egyptologist.html
A review of the Arthur Phillips novel "The Egyptologist" (Random House)
Red Sea Sea Vessel - Update
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/bu-esv042105.php
More about Kathryn Bard's Mersa Gawasis (Red Sea) sea vessel find. The results will be formally presented on April 23 during the 56th annual meeting of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
More about Kathryn Bard's Mersa Gawasis (Red Sea) sea vessel find. The results will be formally presented on April 23 during the 56th annual meeting of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Hierakonpolis Necropolis - Update
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/04/20/international/i181449D63.DTL
Nothing new, but probably the best summary of the finds, to date.
Nothing new, but probably the best summary of the finds, to date.
Portrait painting through the ages
http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/5/1.asp
"This season the Alexandrina Bibliotheca, one of the major cultural edifices in Egypt, held an exhibition entitled " Faces from Egypt", following which it released a book under the same title written by Mustafa Al Razaz and Ahmed Abdul Ghani. The book includes a panorama of Egyptian faces through history. The book inspired this week's article.The art of portrait in Egypt extends back more than 7000 years, since pre-historic times. The diverse creative abilities of the Egyptians, their experimental and expressionistic approaches and fine expression of human feelings have been clearly evident in their heritage of portraits through Pharaohnic times, the Graeco-Roman ages, the Coptic era and Islamic age up until modern times". See article for more.
"This season the Alexandrina Bibliotheca, one of the major cultural edifices in Egypt, held an exhibition entitled " Faces from Egypt", following which it released a book under the same title written by Mustafa Al Razaz and Ahmed Abdul Ghani. The book includes a panorama of Egyptian faces through history. The book inspired this week's article.The art of portrait in Egypt extends back more than 7000 years, since pre-historic times. The diverse creative abilities of the Egyptians, their experimental and expressionistic approaches and fine expression of human feelings have been clearly evident in their heritage of portraits through Pharaohnic times, the Graeco-Roman ages, the Coptic era and Islamic age up until modern times". See article for more.
Nefertiti - The Movie
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/739/fe4.htm
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/739/fr3.htm
The controversial best-seller 'Moses and Akhenaten' by Ahmed Othman is the basis of the new Hollywood mega-production, entiltled 'Nefertiti'. Apparently, it is soon to be filmed on location at the Egyptian Media Production City. John Heyman, a Hollywood producer, film distributer and film financier (whose production credits include Black Gunn, A Passage to India, Jesus, Hitler - The Last Ten Days and Daniel) will be involved in the project.
The article inter-twines the history of Akhenaten with the story behind the film. Quite fun.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/739/fr3.htm
The controversial best-seller 'Moses and Akhenaten' by Ahmed Othman is the basis of the new Hollywood mega-production, entiltled 'Nefertiti'. Apparently, it is soon to be filmed on location at the Egyptian Media Production City. John Heyman, a Hollywood producer, film distributer and film financier (whose production credits include Black Gunn, A Passage to India, Jesus, Hitler - The Last Ten Days and Daniel) will be involved in the project.
The article inter-twines the history of Akhenaten with the story behind the film. Quite fun.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Showcasing Giza
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/739/eg10.htm
"As one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, one of the most unique monuments on the globe -- and one that must be protected -- the Giza Pyramids are listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. To mark this year's World Heritage Day, the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) chose 'Giza at the turn of the century' as the theme of an exhibition of photographs and artefacts that attempt to shed light on this distinguished archaeological site, its controversial history, and recent discoveries there". A much longer article, by Nevine El-Aref.
"As one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, one of the most unique monuments on the globe -- and one that must be protected -- the Giza Pyramids are listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. To mark this year's World Heritage Day, the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) chose 'Giza at the turn of the century' as the theme of an exhibition of photographs and artefacts that attempt to shed light on this distinguished archaeological site, its controversial history, and recent discoveries there". A much longer article, by Nevine El-Aref.
Hierakonpolis tombs - Update
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4467253.stm
A little more on yesterday's announcement of the discovery of some tombs dating to the Naqadan near Hierakonpolis/
A little more on yesterday's announcement of the discovery of some tombs dating to the Naqadan near Hierakonpolis/
Glyphdoctors - new website
http://www.glyphdoctors.com/
This is a new website (went live on 1th April 2005) dedicated exclusively to the Ancient Egyptian Language. It has a professional feel to it, is nicely laid out, easy to navigate and has some useful information organized by category, including books (which can be purchased via Amazon in Canada, the US or the UK), and advice on how/if to become an Egyptologist. Some of the sections are not 100% complete, but samples show what they will look like when finished. A news section and a discussion groups are only available by registering with the site,. It promises an attractive programme of online courses future, including an online hieroglyph course, which the site’s owner, PhD candidate Nicole Hansen, claims will be the first of its type to be offered. There are 14 discussion group categories, available by registering.
This is a new website (went live on 1th April 2005) dedicated exclusively to the Ancient Egyptian Language. It has a professional feel to it, is nicely laid out, easy to navigate and has some useful information organized by category, including books (which can be purchased via Amazon in Canada, the US or the UK), and advice on how/if to become an Egyptologist. Some of the sections are not 100% complete, but samples show what they will look like when finished. A news section and a discussion groups are only available by registering with the site,. It promises an attractive programme of online courses future, including an online hieroglyph course, which the site’s owner, PhD candidate Nicole Hansen, claims will be the first of its type to be offered. There are 14 discussion group categories, available by registering.
Travellers in Egypt
Lotus and Pyramid: Constance - Constance Sitwell, 1928
http://www.travellersinegypt.org/archives/2005/04/white_bird_in_h.html
http://www.travellersinegypt.org/archives/2005/04/white_bird_in_h.html
"I am sitting on the window-sill in my room eating sugar-cane. It is so juicy and fresh one could go on nibbling at it all day. The Soudanese servant, in a green cap and full green trousers, just now brought in a basket-full cut up into pieces, and set it down on the floor with a wide smile. My window is high above the ground; beneath, the whitewashed walls of the hotel ache in the midday glare; across the sand I can see the two great Pyramids, all their colour bleached out by the fierce light. But early this morning they looked very different. Just as the sun rose I came to this window and saw them standing there drowsily splendid, a tigerish gold set on the tigerish sand".
An extract from "Lotus and Pyramid" by Constance Sitwell in 1928, on the Travellers In Egypt website. See the site to read more.
From Egypt and Nubia - by J.A. St. John, 1845
Adventures during a Visit to Lake Mœris: "the artificial sea of Mœris, quivering and glittering in the sun; and, in the distance forming the majestic background of the picture, a range of rocky mountains, of commanding elevation, arid, frowning, desolate, but invested with an air of gloomy grandeur highly congenial to the state of mind in which I viewed them". This is a long but lovely extract from "Egypt and Nubia" by J.A. St John, dating to 1845
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Excavation of Predynastic Burial Complex Near Edfu
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=qw1114007940732B221
"A joint American-Egyptian archaeological team has excavated what is believed to be the largest ever discovered pre-dynastic funerary complex near the Upper Egyptian city of Edfu, antiquities officials said on Wednesday . . . An SCA statement said on Wednesday that the complex 'consists of a large rectangular tomb covered with the earliest known superstructure and a wooden offering table' ".
This is a very important find, probably dating to Naqada II, c.3600bc. It is being speculated that it belonged to one of the rulers of Hierakonpolis, the most important of the urban centres during Naqada II.
Finds include:
"A joint American-Egyptian archaeological team has excavated what is believed to be the largest ever discovered pre-dynastic funerary complex near the Upper Egyptian city of Edfu, antiquities officials said on Wednesday . . . An SCA statement said on Wednesday that the complex 'consists of a large rectangular tomb covered with the earliest known superstructure and a wooden offering table' ".
This is a very important find, probably dating to Naqada II, c.3600bc. It is being speculated that it belonged to one of the rulers of Hierakonpolis, the most important of the urban centres during Naqada II.
Finds include:
- Four badly preserved bodies in the tomb's west end which may have belonged to sacrificed servants or prisoners
- The complete figurine of a flint-carved cow's head
- limestone fragments of an "earlier human life-size statue were found along with fragments of two ceramic funerary masks and a collection of fine pots that indicate the date of the funerary complex".
A number of news items . . .
http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/4/
A number of news itesm have appeared on the Egyptian Gazette today. They are summarized in order of appearence on the page (introductory details are quoted - but see the page for many more details)
A number of news itesm have appeared on the Egyptian Gazette today. They are summarized in order of appearence on the page (introductory details are quoted - but see the page for many more details)
- New book chronicles Egyptian archeology's institutions ("Hidden Treasures of Ancient Egypt is a new book by Dr Zahi Hawas Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The author takes his readers on a tour of some of the most exquisite artifacts in the Egyptian Museum and acquaints them with adventures that led to their discovery in the mid l9th and 20th centuries - see article for more details").
- UNESCO sign to recognise Egypt's international heritage ("A billboard bearing the slogan of international heritage will be placed on Egyptian archaeological sites included on the UNESCO list of international human heritage. The slogan symbolises the link between natural and cultural heritage").
- Ain Shams sites to be renovated ("The current areas of Ain Shams and Mataryia were known in ancient Egypt as Oun, the capital of the l3th nom (province) of Lower Egypt. In the Greek age, the name was changed into Heliopolis, which means the city of the sun. Heliopolis had a religious and historic significance as the centre of the worship of the sun").
Culture fair celebrates Egypt's past
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o200425t.htm
A fair dedicated to Egypt's heritage, focusing on "Giza Treasures through Ages" has been organized by the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the Egyptian Museum, to coincide with International Heritage Day.
A fair dedicated to Egypt's heritage, focusing on "Giza Treasures through Ages" has been organized by the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the Egyptian Museum, to coincide with International Heritage Day.
More on the Oxyrhynchus Papyrii
http://www.sci-tech-today.com/story.xhtml?story_title=Infra-Red-Brings-Ancient-Papyri-to-Light&story_id=33131&category=disc
Not much more following on from the Independent article, but some more comments re this important find.
Not much more following on from the Independent article, but some more comments re this important find.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Oxyrhynchus Papyri Decoded - Important Breakthrough
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/story.jsp?story=630165
"For more than a century, it has caused excitement and frustration in equal measure - a collection of Greek and Roman writings so vast it could redraw the map of classical civilisation. If only it was legible.
Now, in a breakthrough described as the classical equivalent of finding the holy grail, Oxford University scientists have employed infra-red technology to open up the hoard, known as the Oxyrhynchus Papyri, and with it the prospect that hundreds of lost Greek comedies, tragedies and epic poems will soon be revealed.
In the past four days alone, Oxford's classicists have used it to make a series of astonishing discoveries, including writing by Sophocles, Euripides, Hesiod and other literary giants of the ancient world, lost for millennia. They even believe they are likely to find lost Christian gospels, the originals of which were written around the time of the earliest books of the New Testament".
See the Independent article for more.
"For more than a century, it has caused excitement and frustration in equal measure - a collection of Greek and Roman writings so vast it could redraw the map of classical civilisation. If only it was legible.
Now, in a breakthrough described as the classical equivalent of finding the holy grail, Oxford University scientists have employed infra-red technology to open up the hoard, known as the Oxyrhynchus Papyri, and with it the prospect that hundreds of lost Greek comedies, tragedies and epic poems will soon be revealed.
In the past four days alone, Oxford's classicists have used it to make a series of astonishing discoveries, including writing by Sophocles, Euripides, Hesiod and other literary giants of the ancient world, lost for millennia. They even believe they are likely to find lost Christian gospels, the originals of which were written around the time of the earliest books of the New Testament".
See the Independent article for more.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Bill Manley and an Unidentified Coffin
http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=399002005
Bill Manley, hieroglyph expert has been trying to find the identify of the skeletal remains of a woman and child found by Sir Flinders Petrie at Qurneh nearly 100 years ago. There is the possibility that the remains represent royal personages because of the tomb's contents, including a gilded coffin and the luxurious grave goods, including gold jewellery. However, the hieroglyphs that might have identified the owner of the coffin and tomb haev been lost due to the decay of the plaster on which they were inscribed. But now Bill Manley believes that, thanks to work with a range of other experts, he has discovered the likely identity of the woman.
Bill Manley, hieroglyph expert has been trying to find the identify of the skeletal remains of a woman and child found by Sir Flinders Petrie at Qurneh nearly 100 years ago. There is the possibility that the remains represent royal personages because of the tomb's contents, including a gilded coffin and the luxurious grave goods, including gold jewellery. However, the hieroglyphs that might have identified the owner of the coffin and tomb haev been lost due to the decay of the plaster on which they were inscribed. But now Bill Manley believes that, thanks to work with a range of other experts, he has discovered the likely identity of the woman.
Alexandria Mosaics Restored
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/738/he2.htm
Hawass's occasional piece in Al Ahram Weekly focuses this week on three mosiacs from Alexandria which have recently bee restored.
Hawass's occasional piece in Al Ahram Weekly focuses this week on three mosiacs from Alexandria which have recently bee restored.
Bubastis
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/738/he1.htm
A fascinating description (and moral tale) of the modern fate of the extremely important site of Bubastis in the Delta: "The ancient city of Bubastis provides an example of how an important ancient Egyptian Delta city was slowly and systematically destroyed in modern times until little remained amidst Zagazig's urban expansion apart from miscellaneous architectural elements, broken stelae and statues". Well worth reading.
A fascinating description (and moral tale) of the modern fate of the extremely important site of Bubastis in the Delta: "The ancient city of Bubastis provides an example of how an important ancient Egyptian Delta city was slowly and systematically destroyed in modern times until little remained amidst Zagazig's urban expansion apart from miscellaneous architectural elements, broken stelae and statues". Well worth reading.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Kom Ombo - Sobek Temple and a New Museum
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o100425v.htm
"Culture Minister Farouk Hosni unveils next month the Sobek temple in Kom Ombo, which bas been restored at a cost of LE 15 million . . . Minister Hosni will also inaugurate a new museum displaying mummified crocodiles and built near the restored temple, dedicated to the principal deities of ancient Kom Ombo".
"Culture Minister Farouk Hosni unveils next month the Sobek temple in Kom Ombo, which bas been restored at a cost of LE 15 million . . . Minister Hosni will also inaugurate a new museum displaying mummified crocodiles and built near the restored temple, dedicated to the principal deities of ancient Kom Ombo".
Anthropologist Sees Papal Death Rites in New Light
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/4/prweb226914.htm
"Mortuary rituals of Ancient Egypt are compared to those surrounding the death of Pope John Paul II and his predecessor, John Paul I. Kim Stacey, writer and anthropologist, takes a closer look at the power of a well-crafted ritual from the past and present, to identify similarities and differences."
"Mortuary rituals of Ancient Egypt are compared to those surrounding the death of Pope John Paul II and his predecessor, John Paul I. Kim Stacey, writer and anthropologist, takes a closer look at the power of a well-crafted ritual from the past and present, to identify similarities and differences."
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Clues to Climate Change In Egypt's Past
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/04/08/earth.past.future/index.html?section=cnn_latest
"Harvey Weiss, professor of archaeology at Yale University, says climate change was a fact of life for earlier civilizations. From pharaohs to the medieval Vikings, swift and sometimes violent changes in weather patterns sparked mass migrations and technological innovations like irrigation."
The article goes on to discuss past climate change in general terms.
"Harvey Weiss, professor of archaeology at Yale University, says climate change was a fact of life for earlier civilizations. From pharaohs to the medieval Vikings, swift and sometimes violent changes in weather patterns sparked mass migrations and technological innovations like irrigation."
The article goes on to discuss past climate change in general terms.
Grand Egyptian Museum
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/737/eg6.htm
April seems to be the month for museums in Egypt. The latest announcement concerns a fund-raising campaign for the Grand Egyptian Museum. Designed by a prize-winning architectural frm, the museum is described as "making more than a passing nod to the landscape of the desert". It will be located on the Giza Plateau, near the Great Pyramids, and will house collections organized by theme. There will also be an auditorium, conference rooms and other facilities. It seems unclear where the money is coming from, however. Farouk Hosni asked, in a speech to a press conference, for the international community to to help raise the funding necessary for the project, projected at $550,000,000, and also suggested that local support from Egypt might be appropriate, perhaps by public subscription. The World Bank have declined to invest in the project. They are hoping that the project will be completed (the museum, not the fund-raising) by 2009. The current Cairo museum in Tahrir Square will continue to house some 10,000 artefacts after the GEM is constructed.
April seems to be the month for museums in Egypt. The latest announcement concerns a fund-raising campaign for the Grand Egyptian Museum. Designed by a prize-winning architectural frm, the museum is described as "making more than a passing nod to the landscape of the desert". It will be located on the Giza Plateau, near the Great Pyramids, and will house collections organized by theme. There will also be an auditorium, conference rooms and other facilities. It seems unclear where the money is coming from, however. Farouk Hosni asked, in a speech to a press conference, for the international community to to help raise the funding necessary for the project, projected at $550,000,000, and also suggested that local support from Egypt might be appropriate, perhaps by public subscription. The World Bank have declined to invest in the project. They are hoping that the project will be completed (the museum, not the fund-raising) by 2009. The current Cairo museum in Tahrir Square will continue to house some 10,000 artefacts after the GEM is constructed.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Mummies Undergo CT Scans
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050408/ap_on_sc/scanning_mummies_2
Mummies at the Bowers Museum in California have been subjected to CT scans in the latest fashionable round of mummy-scanning. Of the six mummies examined, one was a priest from a wealthy family, one was a young girl who sang during religious rituals and another was a child, buried in a finely carved wooden coffin. The scans will be included in an exhibition scheduled to open on the 17th April at the Bowers Museum.
Mummies at the Bowers Museum in California have been subjected to CT scans in the latest fashionable round of mummy-scanning. Of the six mummies examined, one was a priest from a wealthy family, one was a young girl who sang during religious rituals and another was a child, buried in a finely carved wooden coffin. The scans will be included in an exhibition scheduled to open on the 17th April at the Bowers Museum.
Nile Conference looks at history of River
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o070425z10.htm
"Under the title of 'The Nile and Water Resources in Egypt through the Ages, the fifth Fayyoum conference took place this week at Cairo University's Faculty of Archaeology, Fayyoum Branch". A short description follows in the article about the topics discussed at the conference.
"Under the title of 'The Nile and Water Resources in Egypt through the Ages, the fifth Fayyoum conference took place this week at Cairo University's Faculty of Archaeology, Fayyoum Branch". A short description follows in the article about the topics discussed at the conference.
New Museums in Sinai and Faiyum
New Museum for North Sinai
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o070425z8.htm
"Al-Arish National Museum for North Sinai history will be opened by the Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, next month. The museum occupies 2km square and will contain over 300 antiquities taken from eight other national museums, the Head of the Museum Sector, Mahmoud Mabrouk, said". There are a few more lines in the article.
Open Museum in Fayyoum
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o070425z5.htm
"The Wadi el-Hitan area in Fayyoum is to be developed into the country's largest open museum for whales and fossils," said the Minister of State for Environmental Affairs, Maged George. He noted that this was part of a larger project to develop Wadi el-Rayan protectorate in order to conserve the environment for both scientific and tourism purposes. The project team consists of experts from Michigan University in the United States, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, the Geological Survey Authority and Fayyoum Governorate".
This is the entire article from the State Information Service.
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o070425z8.htm
"Al-Arish National Museum for North Sinai history will be opened by the Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, next month. The museum occupies 2km square and will contain over 300 antiquities taken from eight other national museums, the Head of the Museum Sector, Mahmoud Mabrouk, said". There are a few more lines in the article.
Open Museum in Fayyoum
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o070425z5.htm
"The Wadi el-Hitan area in Fayyoum is to be developed into the country's largest open museum for whales and fossils," said the Minister of State for Environmental Affairs, Maged George. He noted that this was part of a larger project to develop Wadi el-Rayan protectorate in order to conserve the environment for both scientific and tourism purposes. The project team consists of experts from Michigan University in the United States, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, the Geological Survey Authority and Fayyoum Governorate".
This is the entire article from the State Information Service.
Nile Floods and Civilization
http://www.geotimes.org/current/#features
"The highs and lows of the Nile River have shaped the course of Egyptian civilization for more than 8,000 year". This article, written by Professor Fekri Hassan, is only the in print version of the magazine Geotimes, and there are no more details about it on the web page.
"The highs and lows of the Nile River have shaped the course of Egyptian civilization for more than 8,000 year". This article, written by Professor Fekri Hassan, is only the in print version of the magazine Geotimes, and there are no more details about it on the web page.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Items in "Egypt Today" magazine
A summary of the Tutankhamun scan
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4857
Egypt Today's April edition summary of the Tutankhamun scan, including Hawass's plans for future work on mummy remains.
New home for Ramsses II
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4842
"A place that the king can call home has been the subject of debate for years. Should he move back to Meet Raheena, his original home? Or find more sumptuous new digs at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) planned for the Giza Plateau?"
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4857
Egypt Today's April edition summary of the Tutankhamun scan, including Hawass's plans for future work on mummy remains.
New home for Ramsses II
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4842
"A place that the king can call home has been the subject of debate for years. Should he move back to Meet Raheena, his original home? Or find more sumptuous new digs at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) planned for the Giza Plateau?"
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Paris to host Nubian Exhibition
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o060425v.htm
"An Egyptian Antiquity delegation will soon fly to Paris to participate in the "Nubia Campaign: Yesterday and Today" exhibition. It has been organized by UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 13 April. This exhibition gives a retrospective look at the Nubia Campaign, which began with a drive to safeguard Nubian monuments and has since seen the opening of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo". The article on the State Information Service website contains more information.
"An Egyptian Antiquity delegation will soon fly to Paris to participate in the "Nubia Campaign: Yesterday and Today" exhibition. It has been organized by UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 13 April. This exhibition gives a retrospective look at the Nubia Campaign, which began with a drive to safeguard Nubian monuments and has since seen the opening of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo". The article on the State Information Service website contains more information.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
The man who really found Tutankhamen
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050331-125826-4477r
"For the past 36 years journalist and author Desmond Zwar has shared a great secret: that it was not archaeologist Howard Carter who was responsible for the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb, but a humble British corporal whose very presence on the site had to be kept confidential; who in the last days of the dig took a photograph that changed history". This article claims that Richard Adamson, a 23 year old spy who infiltrated the Wafdist party, was responsible for the initial find of Tuthankhamun's tomb.
"For the past 36 years journalist and author Desmond Zwar has shared a great secret: that it was not archaeologist Howard Carter who was responsible for the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb, but a humble British corporal whose very presence on the site had to be kept confidential; who in the last days of the dig took a photograph that changed history". This article claims that Richard Adamson, a 23 year old spy who infiltrated the Wafdist party, was responsible for the initial find of Tuthankhamun's tomb.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Spring Issue - Egyptian Archaeology Magazine
The EES website does not list the contents of the latest Spring issue of the magazine. However, the main items from the contents of the issue sitting in front of me are as follows:
- Satellite imaging in the pyramid fields
- Mendes: city of the ram-god
- Marsa Nakari: an ancient port on the Red Sea
- The Thutmoside stronghold of Perunefer
- The great naos of Nekhthorheb from Bubastis
- Two graves and a well at Sais
- The Quarries of Geben Gulab and Gebel Tingar, Aswan
Zahi Hawass on Paris Exhibition
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/736/he2.htm
Hawass's occasional column in Al Ahram Weekly is focused in this issue on the Paris exhibition "The Glory of the Pharaohs" which focuses mainly on the work of two important early French Egyptologists. He describes taking the heads of state of Egypt and France (President Hosni Mubarak, Mrs Mubarak, President Jacques Chirac and Mrs Chirac) around the exhibition and recounts what he showed them and some of the comments made.
Hawass's occasional column in Al Ahram Weekly is focused in this issue on the Paris exhibition "The Glory of the Pharaohs" which focuses mainly on the work of two important early French Egyptologists. He describes taking the heads of state of Egypt and France (President Hosni Mubarak, Mrs Mubarak, President Jacques Chirac and Mrs Chirac) around the exhibition and recounts what he showed them and some of the comments made.
Saqqara gets new museum
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o030425j.htm
The Culture Minister, Farouk Hosni, has announced the opening in May 2005 of the Amheteb Museum in Saqqara. It will house some 2000 items found within the Saqqara area. The project has taken three years to complete.
The Culture Minister, Farouk Hosni, has announced the opening in May 2005 of the Amheteb Museum in Saqqara. It will house some 2000 items found within the Saqqara area. The project has taken three years to complete.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Chemical Analysis of Wine in Tomb of Tuthankhamun
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050326001121.htm
"Spanish scientists have developed the first technique that can determine the color of wine used in ancient jars. They analyzed residues from a jar found in the tomb of King Tut and found that it contained wine made with red grapes." This is the first major project carrying out chemical analysis in the tomb, and the results are to be published in the journal Analtyical Chemistry.
"Spanish scientists have developed the first technique that can determine the color of wine used in ancient jars. They analyzed residues from a jar found in the tomb of King Tut and found that it contained wine made with red grapes." This is the first major project carrying out chemical analysis in the tomb, and the results are to be published in the journal Analtyical Chemistry.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Bowers Museum Mummy Scans
http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=13127
"A team of radiologists and curators will conduct computed tomography (CT) scans of six ancient Egyptian mummies from the renowned collections of the British Museum. The mummies are the focus of the Bowers’ upcoming landmark exhibition, Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, which opens April 17, 2005". See the article for more information.
"A team of radiologists and curators will conduct computed tomography (CT) scans of six ancient Egyptian mummies from the renowned collections of the British Museum. The mummies are the focus of the Bowers’ upcoming landmark exhibition, Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, which opens April 17, 2005". See the article for more information.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Tête-à-tête with the French explorers
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/735/eg9.htm
"Today at sunset Culture Minister Farouk Hosni, Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Secretary-General Zahi Hawass, French Cultural Attaché Denis Louche and senior French and Egyptian officials and archaeologists are schudled to attend the opening of the special exhibition "Champollion, Legrain... Treading the Land of Egypt" at the centennial hall of the Egyptian Museum." A review and overveiw, on the Al Ahram website, of the exhibition.
"Today at sunset Culture Minister Farouk Hosni, Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Secretary-General Zahi Hawass, French Cultural Attaché Denis Louche and senior French and Egyptian officials and archaeologists are schudled to attend the opening of the special exhibition "Champollion, Legrain... Treading the Land of Egypt" at the centennial hall of the Egyptian Museum." A review and overveiw, on the Al Ahram website, of the exhibition.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Ancient trade-route stopover point discovered
http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/4/1.asp
"A team of Egyptian excavators have recently uncovered the remains of stables, barracks and storehouses at Tel Al Sabha, 88 kilometres southeast of Al Arish. This once acted as a stopover point on the ancient trade route that linked Arabia with Gaza and Arish.The route was in use between 200 BC and 50 AD, said Dr Zahi Hawas, secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA)". See item for more.
"A team of Egyptian excavators have recently uncovered the remains of stables, barracks and storehouses at Tel Al Sabha, 88 kilometres southeast of Al Arish. This once acted as a stopover point on the ancient trade route that linked Arabia with Gaza and Arish.The route was in use between 200 BC and 50 AD, said Dr Zahi Hawas, secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA)". See item for more.
More re remains of ancient Egyptian seafaring ships
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7190
"The first remains of ancient Egyptian seagoing ships ever to be recovered have been found in two caves on Egypt's Red Sea coast, according to a team at Boston University in the US".
"The first remains of ancient Egyptian seagoing ships ever to be recovered have been found in two caves on Egypt's Red Sea coast, according to a team at Boston University in the US".
Mummy specialists uncover secrets
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/35750.html
"Skeletal remains held by the National Museum of Scotland have been identified as a lost Egyptian queen and her child . . . . The lost queen is believed to be a Nubian princess who joined the Egyptian royal family through an ancient dynastic marriage.Using strontium isotope analysis, which examines the composition of tooth enamel, and carbon dating, the team was able to prove the remains were of Egyptians and dated to around 1650BC". See the 3-page article for more.
"Skeletal remains held by the National Museum of Scotland have been identified as a lost Egyptian queen and her child . . . . The lost queen is believed to be a Nubian princess who joined the Egyptian royal family through an ancient dynastic marriage.Using strontium isotope analysis, which examines the composition of tooth enamel, and carbon dating, the team was able to prove the remains were of Egyptians and dated to around 1650BC". See the 3-page article for more.
Pharaonic fortress found inside turquoise mines in Sinai
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o210325n.htm
A typically brief State Information Service piece, and it may be a repetition of a discovery already known: "An Egyptian-Canadian mission unearthed a Fort from the Old Kingdom in Fairuz area in South Sinai. The mission, which is represented by experts from Egypt's Supreme Council for Antiquities and Toronto University, was conducting digging operations in Sahl El Markha site, 160 kilometers south of Suez, on the Western Coast of Sinai."
A typically brief State Information Service piece, and it may be a repetition of a discovery already known: "An Egyptian-Canadian mission unearthed a Fort from the Old Kingdom in Fairuz area in South Sinai. The mission, which is represented by experts from Egypt's Supreme Council for Antiquities and Toronto University, was conducting digging operations in Sahl El Markha site, 160 kilometers south of Suez, on the Western Coast of Sinai."
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Egypt Recovers 7 Antiquities
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o170325p.htm
"Egypt has reclaimed seven rare pieces of antiquities from Britain that were stolen a couple of years ago. The 9,000-year-old pieces that resurfaced during a purchase attempt in Britain early this year arrived aboard in EgyptAir plane from London and were transferred to the Egyptian Museum amidst tight security measures. The seven pieces were stolen from the Museum of Cairo University's Faculty of Arts".
"Egypt has reclaimed seven rare pieces of antiquities from Britain that were stolen a couple of years ago. The 9,000-year-old pieces that resurfaced during a purchase attempt in Britain early this year arrived aboard in EgyptAir plane from London and were transferred to the Egyptian Museum amidst tight security measures. The seven pieces were stolen from the Museum of Cairo University's Faculty of Arts".
New archaeological sites discovered in Suez
http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/4/
A not terribly coherent article, which says that excavations and discoveries last year in the Gulf of Suez brings the number of ancient sites (dating to ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Nabati periods) to 29 sites, in four different areas.
A not terribly coherent article, which says that excavations and discoveries last year in the Gulf of Suez brings the number of ancient sites (dating to ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Nabati periods) to 29 sites, in four different areas.
Archaeologist discovers ancient ships in Egypt
http://www.bu.edu/bridge/archive/2005/03-18/archaeologist.html
"Kathryn Bard had “the best Christmas ever” this past December when she discovered the well-preserved timbers and riggings of pharaonic seafaring ships inside two man-made caves on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. They are the first pieces ever recovered from Egyptian seagoing vessels, and along with hieroglyphic inscriptions found near one of the caves, they promise to shed light on an elaborate network of ancient Red Sea trade". Lots more details in the article.
"Kathryn Bard had “the best Christmas ever” this past December when she discovered the well-preserved timbers and riggings of pharaonic seafaring ships inside two man-made caves on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. They are the first pieces ever recovered from Egyptian seagoing vessels, and along with hieroglyphic inscriptions found near one of the caves, they promise to shed light on an elaborate network of ancient Red Sea trade". Lots more details in the article.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
More on Moving Ramesses
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/733/eg5.htm
"Culture Minister Farouk Hosni told reporters that a real life trial move would take place in the next two months. A copy of the statue -- formed to its exact weight and shape -- would be used to test the stability and power of the vehicles meant to transport it. The replica would even take the 'deteriorating parts of the real statue into account,' Hosni said."
"Culture Minister Farouk Hosni told reporters that a real life trial move would take place in the next two months. A copy of the statue -- formed to its exact weight and shape -- would be used to test the stability and power of the vehicles meant to transport it. The replica would even take the 'deteriorating parts of the real statue into account,' Hosni said."
Egypt dusts off stowed treasures
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031781600836&path=!nationworld&s=1037645509161
"A collection of Roman-era gold treasures has spent centuries hidden from view, either concealed by thieves in a clay jar, buried under the desert or languishing in a dusty corner of Cairo's rambling Egyptian Museum. Yesterday, the set of magnificent gold necklaces, crowns and coins dating to the second century were put under the spotlight when Cairo's 102-year-old museum began a program to give prominence to many of its neglected exhibits in new monthly displays".
"A collection of Roman-era gold treasures has spent centuries hidden from view, either concealed by thieves in a clay jar, buried under the desert or languishing in a dusty corner of Cairo's rambling Egyptian Museum. Yesterday, the set of magnificent gold necklaces, crowns and coins dating to the second century were put under the spotlight when Cairo's 102-year-old museum began a program to give prominence to many of its neglected exhibits in new monthly displays".
Supplicants send their mail to the unseen powers that be
http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4482
"Archaeological documents show that from as early as the Old Kingdom up to modern times, an endemic and persistent distrust in medicine and justice, as practiced in the land, often led the Egyptians to address their requests for health and legal redress directly to their dead relatives and the gods." A discussion of letters to the dead, from the Old Kingdom onwards.
"Archaeological documents show that from as early as the Old Kingdom up to modern times, an endemic and persistent distrust in medicine and justice, as practiced in the land, often led the Egyptians to address their requests for health and legal redress directly to their dead relatives and the gods." A discussion of letters to the dead, from the Old Kingdom onwards.
Theban Mapping Project Survey
http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/survey.html
Since 1978 the Theban Mapping Project has been working to compile a complete datbase of sites in Thebes. Its work has focused initially on the Valley of the Kings. The site is excellent and hte project is a very valuable one. Over the years it has become apparant that tourism is causing numerous problems, both conservational and operational - ranging from damage to issues surrounding the provision of tourist facilities appropriate to the sites themselves to the supply of facilities for visitors. A masterplan to control the situation is being devised, and the first stage of developing this plan is a consultation process. The Theban Mapping project say that this will be " involving as many interested parties as possible and we are particularly interested in the views and suggestions of previous visitors. Therefore, we invite you to take part in our online survey". The link above takes you to the online survey, where a clear and neatly designed form allows you to answer questions and communicate your opinion on a number of different topics. This is an important opportunity for those interested to make their opinions count. Thanks very much to Jann Lassalle for pointing this survey out to me.
Since 1978 the Theban Mapping Project has been working to compile a complete datbase of sites in Thebes. Its work has focused initially on the Valley of the Kings. The site is excellent and hte project is a very valuable one. Over the years it has become apparant that tourism is causing numerous problems, both conservational and operational - ranging from damage to issues surrounding the provision of tourist facilities appropriate to the sites themselves to the supply of facilities for visitors. A masterplan to control the situation is being devised, and the first stage of developing this plan is a consultation process. The Theban Mapping project say that this will be " involving as many interested parties as possible and we are particularly interested in the views and suggestions of previous visitors. Therefore, we invite you to take part in our online survey". The link above takes you to the online survey, where a clear and neatly designed form allows you to answer questions and communicate your opinion on a number of different topics. This is an important opportunity for those interested to make their opinions count. Thanks very much to Jann Lassalle for pointing this survey out to me.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Sarabit el-Khadim Temple Open in May?
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=588&art_id=qw1110807540373B221
Zahi Hawass has announced that the 12-million Egyptian pounds project to renovate the Sarabit el-Khadim 12th Dynasty temple in southern Sinai is expected to be complete and open to tourists in May.
Zahi Hawass has announced that the 12-million Egyptian pounds project to renovate the Sarabit el-Khadim 12th Dynasty temple in southern Sinai is expected to be complete and open to tourists in May.
More on King Tutankhamun Scans
A set of links which provide more information:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/uol-flb031005.php
Robert Connolly, Senior Lecturer in Physical Anthropology from the University of Liverpool's Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, is quoted discussing his analysis of one of the leg bones of Tutankhamun. He rules out death by infection of a breakage, and discusses a range of other possible causes.
http://guardians.net/hawass/press_release_tutankhamun_ct_scan_results.htm
Zahi Hawass's own page has an overview of the methods and results, together with some of the photographs from the scans, which are really quite interesting.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/uol-flb031005.php
Robert Connolly, Senior Lecturer in Physical Anthropology from the University of Liverpool's Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, is quoted discussing his analysis of one of the leg bones of Tutankhamun. He rules out death by infection of a breakage, and discusses a range of other possible causes.
http://guardians.net/hawass/press_release_tutankhamun_ct_scan_results.htm
Zahi Hawass's own page has an overview of the methods and results, together with some of the photographs from the scans, which are really quite interesting.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
No Sign Tutankhamun Murdered But Mystery Unsolved
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=7837783§ion=news&src=rss/uk/scienceNews
"A three-dimensional X-ray scan of Tutankhamun's mummy found no evidence to support theories he was murdered but failed to solve the 3,000-year-old mystery of how the young Egyptian pharaoh died. Some members of the investigative team say he may have died from an infected thigh wound, but others doubt this, saying that injury may have been inflicted later by a "archaeologists, according to the team's five-page report released on Tuesday".
There is more information in the article.
Other information at:
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o090325a.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4328903.stm
"A three-dimensional X-ray scan of Tutankhamun's mummy found no evidence to support theories he was murdered but failed to solve the 3,000-year-old mystery of how the young Egyptian pharaoh died. Some members of the investigative team say he may have died from an infected thigh wound, but others doubt this, saying that injury may have been inflicted later by a "archaeologists, according to the team's five-page report released on Tuesday".
There is more information in the article.
Other information at:
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o090325a.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4328903.stm
Swiss help restore Egyptian tomb
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=111&sid=5558242
"Swiss experts are helping restore the Osireion – one of the most important burial sites of ancient Egypt, which is crumbling away with time. The 4,500-year-old Osireion was a place of pilgrimage for the ancient Egyptians, who went there to worship King Osiris – the father of pharaonic culture- who they believed was buried there".
"Swiss experts are helping restore the Osireion – one of the most important burial sites of ancient Egypt, which is crumbling away with time. The 4,500-year-old Osireion was a place of pilgrimage for the ancient Egyptians, who went there to worship King Osiris – the father of pharaonic culture- who they believed was buried there".
Ramesses Statue Removal Details
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=570&ncid=570&e=2&u=/nm/20050307/sc_nm/egypt_statue_dc_1
The Egyptian government Monday unveiled plans for the delicate task of moving a granite statue of the Pharaoh Ramses II, 3,200 years old and weighing 83 tons, from central Cairo to a new site near the Pyramids.
The Egyptian government Monday unveiled plans for the delicate task of moving a granite statue of the Pharaoh Ramses II, 3,200 years old and weighing 83 tons, from central Cairo to a new site near the Pyramids.
Friday, March 04, 2005
King Tutanhkhamun Controversy
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/732/he2.htm
Zahi Hawass uses his regular Al Ahram slot to fire a few volleys back over the net at those who have attacked the recent re-examination of Tutankhamun's mummy. As usual, he doesn't hold back. Just to give you a flavour of it: "Four Egyptian individuals objected to the recent examination of King Tut. Their objection was not based on scientific evidence. Rather, one of the objectors wanted his name in the media and used his objection as an excuse to be in the newspapers. The second was upset because in the past he had wanted to do DNA testing on the mummy but the minister of culture, Farouk Hosni, refused his request because DNA testing had not been found to be accurate when dealing with mummies. He was therefore upset that another team was being allowed to do an examination of the mummy. This person acted like the devil. When he was on TV, his face was filled with fire, jealousy and hatred. It was a case of sour grapes". And he goes on from there.
Zahi Hawass uses his regular Al Ahram slot to fire a few volleys back over the net at those who have attacked the recent re-examination of Tutankhamun's mummy. As usual, he doesn't hold back. Just to give you a flavour of it: "Four Egyptian individuals objected to the recent examination of King Tut. Their objection was not based on scientific evidence. Rather, one of the objectors wanted his name in the media and used his objection as an excuse to be in the newspapers. The second was upset because in the past he had wanted to do DNA testing on the mummy but the minister of culture, Farouk Hosni, refused his request because DNA testing had not been found to be accurate when dealing with mummies. He was therefore upset that another team was being allowed to do an examination of the mummy. This person acted like the devil. When he was on TV, his face was filled with fire, jealousy and hatred. It was a case of sour grapes". And he goes on from there.
More on Saqqara Mummies
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/732/he1.htm
A detailed article describes this recent and much-discussed find, and there are some good photographs to accompany the text.
Also, this probably won't be around for long, but if you're quick there is another good photograph which I haven't seen elsewhere on the Egypt Daily News home page for Thursday:
http://www.egyptdailynews.com/ (don't bother following the news link that Egypt Daily News provides - it is broken and when you navigate to the article from the Jordan Times home page it doesn't contain any new information or photos.
A detailed article describes this recent and much-discussed find, and there are some good photographs to accompany the text.
Also, this probably won't be around for long, but if you're quick there is another good photograph which I haven't seen elsewhere on the Egypt Daily News home page for Thursday:
http://www.egyptdailynews.com/ (don't bother following the news link that Egypt Daily News provides - it is broken and when you navigate to the article from the Jordan Times home page it doesn't contain any new information or photos.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
CT Scan Images of King Tut to Be Featured in 'Golden Age of the Pharaohs' Exhibition
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050301005895&newsLang=en
"Groundbreaking CT scans of the celebrated pharaoh King Tut will be displayed in the National Geographic exhibition "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," scheduled to begin a four-city, 27-month tour of the United States on June 16, 2005, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)."
"Groundbreaking CT scans of the celebrated pharaoh King Tut will be displayed in the National Geographic exhibition "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," scheduled to begin a four-city, 27-month tour of the United States on June 16, 2005, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)."
More on 2500 Year Old Coffins
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/story.jsp?story=616283
A more detailed description of the excavation, the coffins, the possible social standing and professions of the individuals concerned, and the general Saqqaran context. There are also details about what is going to be done with the mummies next - including x-ray and ultrasound.
A more detailed description of the excavation, the coffins, the possible social standing and professions of the individuals concerned, and the general Saqqaran context. There are also details about what is going to be done with the mummies next - including x-ray and ultrasound.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Scientists Unravel Mysteries Of Egyptian Mummy
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050224101315.htm
"The secrets of a 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy are about to be revealed, thanks to experts at The University of Manchester. Researchers in the Centre for Biomedical Egyptology were approached by a school in East Sussex asking if they could examine the ancient remains.
Uplands Community Technology College in Wadhurst was given the mummy by the late Dr Dick Kittermaster, a pathologist at St Thomas's Hospital in London."
"The secrets of a 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy are about to be revealed, thanks to experts at The University of Manchester. Researchers in the Centre for Biomedical Egyptology were approached by a school in East Sussex asking if they could examine the ancient remains.
Uplands Community Technology College in Wadhurst was given the mummy by the late Dr Dick Kittermaster, a pathologist at St Thomas's Hospital in London."
Restoring Ancient Delta Capital
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o020325u.htm
"The permanent committee of Egyptian archaeology agreed in its latest meeting under Supreme Council of Antiquities SCA Secretary-General Zahi Hawas on carrying out an integrated project for protecting and restoring the capital of ancient Delta in Tel Basta, Sharkeya governorate".
"The permanent committee of Egyptian archaeology agreed in its latest meeting under Supreme Council of Antiquities SCA Secretary-General Zahi Hawas on carrying out an integrated project for protecting and restoring the capital of ancient Delta in Tel Basta, Sharkeya governorate".
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
2500-year-old coffins unearthed (updated)
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050226-074712-4473r
A very short piece stating that an Australian mission has discovered 26th Dynasty coffins at Saqqara.
Update: A far more detailed article, complete with photograph and description of the bead "chain-mail" overlay which was found:
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/living/health/11009422.htm
A very short piece stating that an Australian mission has discovered 26th Dynasty coffins at Saqqara.
Update: A far more detailed article, complete with photograph and description of the bead "chain-mail" overlay which was found:
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/living/health/11009422.htm
Cleopatra - The Virtuous Scholar
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/feature/newsitem.shtml?cleopatra
Much talked about prior to its publiclation, a new book has been launched entitled "Egyptology: The Missing Millennium. Ancient Egypt in Medieval Arabic Writings" published by UCL Press. Dr Okasha El Daly discusses "substantial new evidence from studies of a neglected thousand-year period of Arab scholarship which uncovers a Cleopatra in stark contrast to the popular image of a hedonistic, deceiving and over-ambitious ruler".
Much talked about prior to its publiclation, a new book has been launched entitled "Egyptology: The Missing Millennium. Ancient Egypt in Medieval Arabic Writings" published by UCL Press. Dr Okasha El Daly discusses "substantial new evidence from studies of a neglected thousand-year period of Arab scholarship which uncovers a Cleopatra in stark contrast to the popular image of a hedonistic, deceiving and over-ambitious ruler".
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Egyptian embassy retrieves stolen antiquities
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o250225f.htm
"The Egyptian Embassy in London yesterday received seven pieces of antiquities that date back to the pre-dynasty era from Bonham after intensive contacts with the British authorities and the auction hall officials". I assume that this refers to the auction house Bonham's. The items were apparently stolen from Cairo in 2002.
"The Egyptian Embassy in London yesterday received seven pieces of antiquities that date back to the pre-dynasty era from Bonham after intensive contacts with the British authorities and the auction hall officials". I assume that this refers to the auction house Bonham's. The items were apparently stolen from Cairo in 2002.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
A Rich Handover
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/731/eg7.htm
A cache of artefacts hidden in Egypt since 1971 have been released from confiscation. The items include "a number of anthropoid sarcophagi, painted mummy masks, Ancient Egyptian ushabti figurines (wooden statuettes), limestone reliefs, necklaces, amulets, and scarabs, as well as a group of Graeco-Roman statues, Islamic vessels, clay chandeliers and coloured textiles".
A cache of artefacts hidden in Egypt since 1971 have been released from confiscation. The items include "a number of anthropoid sarcophagi, painted mummy masks, Ancient Egyptian ushabti figurines (wooden statuettes), limestone reliefs, necklaces, amulets, and scarabs, as well as a group of Graeco-Roman statues, Islamic vessels, clay chandeliers and coloured textiles".
Lighting the eternal king
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/731/eg6.htm
"The usually sedate town of Abu Simbel was abuzz with Ramses fever as the sun's rays penetrated through the temple to illuminate the eternal king's face". A description of the festivities surrounding the February 22 equinox, when the sun's rays travel through the temple of Ramses II to illuminate the king's face.
"The usually sedate town of Abu Simbel was abuzz with Ramses fever as the sun's rays penetrated through the temple to illuminate the eternal king's face". A description of the festivities surrounding the February 22 equinox, when the sun's rays travel through the temple of Ramses II to illuminate the king's face.
SCA Suspends agreement with Qatar
http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/4/
The third item on this page: "Dr Hawass revealed that the SCA has suspended the archaeological agreement signed with the Qatari Antiquities Authority because the latter failed to fulfill its commitment of subsidising the translation of foreign books released in Tel El Amerna." Other pieces of SCA news are also described in brief.
The third item on this page: "Dr Hawass revealed that the SCA has suspended the archaeological agreement signed with the Qatari Antiquities Authority because the latter failed to fulfill its commitment of subsidising the translation of foreign books released in Tel El Amerna." Other pieces of SCA news are also described in brief.
Maintaining World Heritage Sites
http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/4/
A brief discussion of Egyptian sites listed as World Heriage Sites by Unesco, and some of the issues to be raised at the forthcoming conference in June this year.
A brief discussion of Egyptian sites listed as World Heriage Sites by Unesco, and some of the issues to be raised at the forthcoming conference in June this year.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Curse of King Tut haunts mourning woman
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=85&art_id=qw1108983601114B221
The curse of Tutankhamun continues to plague Egyptology, although I bet Zahi Hawass is chuckling happily at this one. Hawass is rushing to the rescue of a woman who believes that ownership of a piece of jewellery possibly stolen from the tomb of Tutankhamun has conferred the tomb's curse upon her loved ones. Hawass has promised that a delegation from the SCA would go to South Africa to bring the scarab back to Egypt.
The curse of Tutankhamun continues to plague Egyptology, although I bet Zahi Hawass is chuckling happily at this one. Hawass is rushing to the rescue of a woman who believes that ownership of a piece of jewellery possibly stolen from the tomb of Tutankhamun has conferred the tomb's curse upon her loved ones. Hawass has promised that a delegation from the SCA would go to South Africa to bring the scarab back to Egypt.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
What Amarna Looked Like
http://www.archaeology.co.uk/cwa/issues/cwa1/CWA_issue_1.pdf
Although this dates back to 2003, I have only just found this article which, however, is timeless. Current World Archeaology magazine has on online version of issue 1 of its magazine, in PDF format. One of the articles discusses what the city of Amarna would have looked like when it was occupied, and has some super plans and computer reconstructions in colour, as well as a good textual commentary. It takes a while for the page (5.31mb) to load, but it is well worth the wait. Click on the Amarna link in left hand navigation bar on the PDF page, or go to pages 11 through 21.
Although this dates back to 2003, I have only just found this article which, however, is timeless. Current World Archeaology magazine has on online version of issue 1 of its magazine, in PDF format. One of the articles discusses what the city of Amarna would have looked like when it was occupied, and has some super plans and computer reconstructions in colour, as well as a good textual commentary. It takes a while for the page (5.31mb) to load, but it is well worth the wait. Click on the Amarna link in left hand navigation bar on the PDF page, or go to pages 11 through 21.
Ancient Egyptians Hoarded Crude Oil
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20050214/egyptoil.html
A Discovery Channel news item about use of tar in mummies and the trade in oil in the Middle East 3000 years ago. A more popular-style article and slightly longer item than the 6th Feb article reporting the same thing in Geotimes (http://www.geotimes.org/current/NN_mummytar.html).
A Discovery Channel news item about use of tar in mummies and the trade in oil in the Middle East 3000 years ago. A more popular-style article and slightly longer item than the 6th Feb article reporting the same thing in Geotimes (http://www.geotimes.org/current/NN_mummytar.html).
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Is there a Mafia in Egyptology?
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/730/he2.htm
Zahi Hawass in his regular Al Ahram spot talking about the internal politics currently being played out in the French Institute in Cairo (IFAO).
Zahi Hawass in his regular Al Ahram spot talking about the internal politics currently being played out in the French Institute in Cairo (IFAO).
Coptic Trove
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/730/he1.htm
"In Al-Gurna where several excavation missions are probing for more Ancient Egyptian treasures under the sand, a team from the Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology has stumbled on a major Coptic trove buried under the remains of a sixth-century monastery located in front of a Middle Kingdom tomb. "
"In Al-Gurna where several excavation missions are probing for more Ancient Egyptian treasures under the sand, a team from the Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology has stumbled on a major Coptic trove buried under the remains of a sixth-century monastery located in front of a Middle Kingdom tomb. "
Friday, February 18, 2005
BMSAES Updated
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/bmsaes/issues.html#is4
The December 2004 issue of the British Museum's online publication, the "British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan (BMSAES)" has been published on the BM's website at the above address.
The December 2004 issue of the British Museum's online publication, the "British Museum Studies in Ancient Egypt and Sudan (BMSAES)" has been published on the BM's website at the above address.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Tutankhamun Murder Mystery Hangs on March Report
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=7661208§ion=news&src=rss/uk/scienceNews
Quotes from Zahi Hawass re the Tutankhamun scan, the results of which are now expected at some time in March, according to this article from Reuters.
Quotes from Zahi Hawass re the Tutankhamun scan, the results of which are now expected at some time in March, according to this article from Reuters.
Hawass: Cheops Pyramid still withholds secrets
http://www.algomhuria.net.eg/gazette/4/
The Egyptian Gazette interview with Zahi Hawass, covering everything from the next stage in the Cheops "air vent" exploration, the initial results from the Tutankhamun scans, new museums planned, and the SCA policy on submerged archaeology.
The Egyptian Gazette interview with Zahi Hawass, covering everything from the next stage in the Cheops "air vent" exploration, the initial results from the Tutankhamun scans, new museums planned, and the SCA policy on submerged archaeology.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Update - Egypt's Ancient Climate
http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/earth_sciences/report-40064.html
Another article about research being taken out in order to understand Egypt's climate around 130,000 years ago. It is hoped that the research could shed light on the possible role weather and climate played in the dispersal of humans "out of Africa" and into Europe and Asia.
Another article about research being taken out in order to understand Egypt's climate around 130,000 years ago. It is hoped that the research could shed light on the possible role weather and climate played in the dispersal of humans "out of Africa" and into Europe and Asia.
Menagerie of mummies unwraps ancient Egypt
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6989
New Scientist article about a new collection of animal mummies being studied by the Natural History Museum in London, UK. X-ray analysis of the skeletons of some of the animals, particularly cats, suggests that they were deliberately killed in order to be used in religious activities. Other cats, however, were considered to be pets due to the elaborate nature of the mummification they received. The mummified animals are drawn from many collections and include crocodiles, falcons, baboons and cats. The collection will also go on display at the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum in Hertfordshire, UK, from 14 February in an exhibition called Animal Mummies of Ancient Egypt.
New Scientist article about a new collection of animal mummies being studied by the Natural History Museum in London, UK. X-ray analysis of the skeletons of some of the animals, particularly cats, suggests that they were deliberately killed in order to be used in religious activities. Other cats, however, were considered to be pets due to the elaborate nature of the mummification they received. The mummified animals are drawn from many collections and include crocodiles, falcons, baboons and cats. The collection will also go on display at the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum in Hertfordshire, UK, from 14 February in an exhibition called Animal Mummies of Ancient Egypt.
More from "Travellers in Egypt"
http://www.travellersinegypt.org/archives/2005/02/from_suez_to_ca.html
The most recent offering is an excerpt from "Orient Line Guide - Chapters for travellers by sea and by land" entitled "From Suez to Cairo" (London, 1890). It is a narrative description, mainly of Cairo, in which the author tries to convey not merely the look of areas and features, but the impact they have on visitors. The text is accompanied by some fine drawings of the Meidum pyramid and the "Boolak Museum" (the Cairo Egyptology collection in one of its former homes).
The most recent offering is an excerpt from "Orient Line Guide - Chapters for travellers by sea and by land" entitled "From Suez to Cairo" (London, 1890). It is a narrative description, mainly of Cairo, in which the author tries to convey not merely the look of areas and features, but the impact they have on visitors. The text is accompanied by some fine drawings of the Meidum pyramid and the "Boolak Museum" (the Cairo Egyptology collection in one of its former homes).
Discovery Channel's Latest Egyptology Offerings
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=4&article_id=12531
Discovery frequently create and air programmes about Egyptology, which are sold on to other channels as well, and therefore receieve a very wide audience world-wide. The most notorious of these programmes was probably Joann Fletcher's "Nefertiti Revealed". This reasonably detailed article previews Discovery's latest offerings - five new documentaries and a 13-part series. It is an interesting review of the approach taken by Discovery not only to Egyptology but also to target audiences. One of the programmes covers Hawass and his attempts to recover items removed illegally from the country.
Discovery frequently create and air programmes about Egyptology, which are sold on to other channels as well, and therefore receieve a very wide audience world-wide. The most notorious of these programmes was probably Joann Fletcher's "Nefertiti Revealed". This reasonably detailed article previews Discovery's latest offerings - five new documentaries and a 13-part series. It is an interesting review of the approach taken by Discovery not only to Egyptology but also to target audiences. One of the programmes covers Hawass and his attempts to recover items removed illegally from the country.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Feature on Siwa Oasis
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/728/tr1.htm
A feature on Siwa oasis discussing everything from the archaeology and natural history in the oasis area to the best hotels and "ecolodges" in which you can stay. I never had much motivation to visit Siwa, but this article paints a much more attractive picture than any I have read previously - it looks fascinating.
A feature on Siwa oasis discussing everything from the archaeology and natural history in the oasis area to the best hotels and "ecolodges" in which you can stay. I never had much motivation to visit Siwa, but this article paints a much more attractive picture than any I have read previously - it looks fascinating.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Qasr Qarun
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/qasrqarun.htm
TourEgypt's most recent featured story concerns Qasr Qarun, the fortress and temples in the ancient town of Dionysius in the Faiyum depression, situated near the shores of modern shores of Lake Qarun. The town was considerably important, being the terminus of the caravan route to the Egyptian oasis of Bahariya.
TourEgypt's most recent featured story concerns Qasr Qarun, the fortress and temples in the ancient town of Dionysius in the Faiyum depression, situated near the shores of modern shores of Lake Qarun. The town was considerably important, being the terminus of the caravan route to the Egyptian oasis of Bahariya.
Mummy tar in ancient Egypt
http://www.geotimes.org/current/NN_mummytar.html
A new study of tars used in the mummification process suggests that the ancient Egyptians sourced tars from a number of different sources in Egypt and the Near East. This article, in Geotimes magazine, is a summary of an article which appears in the Journal of Geoarchaeology.
A new study of tars used in the mummification process suggests that the ancient Egyptians sourced tars from a number of different sources in Egypt and the Near East. This article, in Geotimes magazine, is a summary of an article which appears in the Journal of Geoarchaeology.
Scientists find fossil proof of Egypt's ancient climate
http://news-info.wustl.edu/tips/page/normal/4502.html
Analysis of silts "from a small lake (now dry) in the Kharga Oasis of western Egypt to reconstruct climatic conditions during the lifetime of the lake. Their analyses support a surprising picture of arid Egypt: 130,000 years ago, what everyone considers an eternal desert was actually a thriving savannah, complete with humans, rhinos, giraffes and other wild life." Have a look at this article - it isn't very long, but it is fascinating.
Analysis of silts "from a small lake (now dry) in the Kharga Oasis of western Egypt to reconstruct climatic conditions during the lifetime of the lake. Their analyses support a surprising picture of arid Egypt: 130,000 years ago, what everyone considers an eternal desert was actually a thriving savannah, complete with humans, rhinos, giraffes and other wild life." Have a look at this article - it isn't very long, but it is fascinating.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Update - Bahariya Graeco-Roman Mummies
http://www1.voanews.com/SpecialEnglish/article.cfm?objectID=ABEACB44-8F95-4FDA-BAF25530C495FC94&title=SCIENCE%20IN%20THE%20NEWS%20
The transcript of a Voice of America transmission about the discovery of Graeco Roman mummies in Bahariya.
The transcript of a Voice of America transmission about the discovery of Graeco Roman mummies in Bahariya.
11 tombs excavated at Ahansia
http://www.sis.gov.eg/online/html12/o310125m.htm
Copied from the Egytian State Information Service website: "The Spanish archaeological mission under the National Antiquities Museum in Madrid has unearthed about eleven tombs built with unburnt bricks inside a cemetery dating back to 2061- 2190 BC", Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni said adding that the mission found fake gates, religious paintings and courban tables. For his part the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawas said that the mission has unearthed 12 chambers built with unburnt bricks with arch ceilings. The mission also found chains and necklaces made of precious stones with the shape of sea shells, added Hawas.
Copied from the Egytian State Information Service website: "The Spanish archaeological mission under the National Antiquities Museum in Madrid has unearthed about eleven tombs built with unburnt bricks inside a cemetery dating back to 2061- 2190 BC", Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni said adding that the mission found fake gates, religious paintings and courban tables. For his part the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawas said that the mission has unearthed 12 chambers built with unburnt bricks with arch ceilings. The mission also found chains and necklaces made of precious stones with the shape of sea shells, added Hawas.
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