http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/703/fr1.htm
"The remains of a colossal seated statue of Ramses II, thought to be about 13 metres tall and weighing 700 tons, have been discovered in a shanty area of the Upper Egyptian city of Akhmim, adjacent to the open-air museum. The lower part of the limestone statue is seated on a throne, to the right and left of which are figures of two of the pharaoh's daughters and princess- queens, Merit-Amun and Bint-Anath" (Al Ahram Weekly). For more information see the article, which goes into more details.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
New Predynastic tomb and other news
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040812/2004081225.html
A predynastic tomb has been found by the Belgian Mession at Wadi Hosh, Aswan, dating to around 4000BC (6000 years old). The remains of a womean aged between 40 and 50 years old were found. I have been unable to find any other information at present.
Other news items in the article include plans to introduce another robot into the Great Pyramid.
A predynastic tomb has been found by the Belgian Mession at Wadi Hosh, Aswan, dating to around 4000BC (6000 years old). The remains of a womean aged between 40 and 50 years old were found. I have been unable to find any other information at present.
Other news items in the article include plans to introduce another robot into the Great Pyramid.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Fraud exposed - after 3,000 years
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3539284.stm
Very unusually for the BBC, this is not a very well written article. However, the main content is that a researcher has published a paper about the looting of the tomb of King Sobekemsaf, during the New Kingdom era. The article says that the thieves were caught and tried in the Thebes, but that the senior officials who were found to be involved were let off and these details of the case was hushed up, while the robbers themselves were punished. For those of you with any Arabic, you may get more sense from the original article in the newspaper Al-Masri Al-Yaoum. The researcher is named in the BBC article as Ahmad Saleh.
Very unusually for the BBC, this is not a very well written article. However, the main content is that a researcher has published a paper about the looting of the tomb of King Sobekemsaf, during the New Kingdom era. The article says that the thieves were caught and tried in the Thebes, but that the senior officials who were found to be involved were let off and these details of the case was hushed up, while the robbers themselves were punished. For those of you with any Arabic, you may get more sense from the original article in the newspaper Al-Masri Al-Yaoum. The researcher is named in the BBC article as Ahmad Saleh.
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Update - Items missing from Cairo Museum
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/702/eg7.htm
A three-month search of the Egyptian Museum's basement, has confirmed that 36 gold bracelets and two gold rings dating back to the Roman Empire have, as previous reports suggested, disappeared. Their insurance value is LE150 million. Over the next week, prosecutors will interview former SCA secretary-general Gaballa Ali Gaballa, Zahi Hawass, the current SCA secretary- general, and former directors of the Egyptian Museum.
A three-month search of the Egyptian Museum's basement, has confirmed that 36 gold bracelets and two gold rings dating back to the Roman Empire have, as previous reports suggested, disappeared. Their insurance value is LE150 million. Over the next week, prosecutors will interview former SCA secretary-general Gaballa Ali Gaballa, Zahi Hawass, the current SCA secretary- general, and former directors of the Egyptian Museum.
26th Dynasty Horus Priest Surfaces
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/702/eg7.htm
WHILE laying the foundation stone of a new mosque in the Al-Basriya area of north-east Cairo's Ain Shams district,found a 26th dynasty tomb containing the skeleton of priest Ankh- Khonsu Deirt Hur, whose name means "the creation of the god Horus" in a large basalt sarcophagus accompanied by four canopic jars. The tomb, which has suffered water damage and is in poor condition, may have to be dismantled, restored and transferred to the open-air museum in Matariya, where a collection of 26th dynasty tombs is exhibited.
WHILE laying the foundation stone of a new mosque in the Al-Basriya area of north-east Cairo's Ain Shams district,found a 26th dynasty tomb containing the skeleton of priest Ankh- Khonsu Deirt Hur, whose name means "the creation of the god Horus" in a large basalt sarcophagus accompanied by four canopic jars. The tomb, which has suffered water damage and is in poor condition, may have to be dismantled, restored and transferred to the open-air museum in Matariya, where a collection of 26th dynasty tombs is exhibited.
Excavation findings at Deir Al-Bersha in Middle Egypt
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/702/he1.htm
A mission from the University of Leuven has been excavating at this site, and has found a multi-period occupation. "The mission is primarily concerned with an area that has been largely unexcavated, and which reveals continued use over successive dynasties. Willems made particular mention of the Old Kingdom cemeteries, and of the new evidence on First Intermediate Period rock tombs, Middle Kingdom tombs and mastabas -- about which nothing serious has ever been published -- and structures in the Second Intermediate Period -- in which usurped stone from earlier structures were used." Many more details and a map are at the All Ahram site above.
A mission from the University of Leuven has been excavating at this site, and has found a multi-period occupation. "The mission is primarily concerned with an area that has been largely unexcavated, and which reveals continued use over successive dynasties. Willems made particular mention of the Old Kingdom cemeteries, and of the new evidence on First Intermediate Period rock tombs, Middle Kingdom tombs and mastabas -- about which nothing serious has ever been published -- and structures in the Second Intermediate Period -- in which usurped stone from earlier structures were used." Many more details and a map are at the All Ahram site above.
Fit for a Pharaoh: 'fake' vase is 5,000 years old
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=548420
An unusual predynastic vase in Harrogate Museum, originally part of a private collection, which has long been thought to be a fake has been scientifically tested and found to be the real thing. The reason it was thought to be fake was because of the uncharacteristic nature of the decoration, but it has now been dated to around 5000 years old (just before the unification of Egypt under one king).
I would dearly love to go and have a look at it, but Harrogate is just a bit too far off the beaten track for one vase, although the rest of the collection does look excellent. A photo is currently being shown at: http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART23385.html
An unusual predynastic vase in Harrogate Museum, originally part of a private collection, which has long been thought to be a fake has been scientifically tested and found to be the real thing. The reason it was thought to be fake was because of the uncharacteristic nature of the decoration, but it has now been dated to around 5000 years old (just before the unification of Egypt under one king).
I would dearly love to go and have a look at it, but Harrogate is just a bit too far off the beaten track for one vase, although the rest of the collection does look excellent. A photo is currently being shown at: http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART23385.html
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
African Pastoral: Archaeologists Rewrite History of Farming
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/27/science/27farm.html
A good article discussing the latest theories about the origins of agriculture. Agriculture appears to have been adopted in an entirely different way in Africa, and recent and ongoing genetic studies suggest that cattle were domesticated in Africa thousands of years before plants, in a pattern quite unlike that adopted by Europe and Asia. Egypt is the joker in the pack - it had both cattle (probably African varieties) and Near Eastern domesticates, although it adopted agriculture several hundred years after the Near East, in spite of its relatively close proximity. Quoting many scholars and their research, this article describes some of the most recent ideas.
A good article discussing the latest theories about the origins of agriculture. Agriculture appears to have been adopted in an entirely different way in Africa, and recent and ongoing genetic studies suggest that cattle were domesticated in Africa thousands of years before plants, in a pattern quite unlike that adopted by Europe and Asia. Egypt is the joker in the pack - it had both cattle (probably African varieties) and Near Eastern domesticates, although it adopted agriculture several hundred years after the Near East, in spite of its relatively close proximity. Quoting many scholars and their research, this article describes some of the most recent ideas.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Huge statue of Ramses II found
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1566462,00.html
Egyptian archaeologists recently discovered parts of what appears to be the biggest yet statue of Ramses II in the city of Akhmim
Egyptian archaeologists recently discovered parts of what appears to be the biggest yet statue of Ramses II in the city of Akhmim
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Builders Find Ancient Tomb in Cairo Suburb
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=5836811
Builders laying the foundations for a mosque in northeast Cairo found a tomb dating from the Pharaonic period intact but submerged in ground water up to the ceiling of the tomb. The tomb dates to the New Kingdom and contains an unopened basalt sarcophagus, four Canopic jars, and inscriptions showing the tomb belonged to a man called Ankh Khansu Derat Hor.
At Akhmim in southern Egypt, while digging foundations for a religious school, workers found remains of a temple and pieces of a giant statue of the pharaoh Ramses II.
Builders laying the foundations for a mosque in northeast Cairo found a tomb dating from the Pharaonic period intact but submerged in ground water up to the ceiling of the tomb. The tomb dates to the New Kingdom and contains an unopened basalt sarcophagus, four Canopic jars, and inscriptions showing the tomb belonged to a man called Ankh Khansu Derat Hor.
At Akhmim in southern Egypt, while digging foundations for a religious school, workers found remains of a temple and pieces of a giant statue of the pharaoh Ramses II.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Countries battle over artefacts
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3927833.stm
A general article about countries trying to re-patriate artefacts and monuments now residing in other nations' museums. It deals with a number of artefacts and countries, but also mentions Egypt's attempts to re-patriate the Berlin bust of Nefertiti and the British Museum's Rosetta Stone.
A general article about countries trying to re-patriate artefacts and monuments now residing in other nations' museums. It deals with a number of artefacts and countries, but also mentions Egypt's attempts to re-patriate the Berlin bust of Nefertiti and the British Museum's Rosetta Stone.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
More about the BM's Analysis of Nesperennub
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/700/he1.htm
A detailed summary from Al Ahram Weekly about the BM's analysis of the Theban mummy Nesperennub. This is quite a long article and contains some interesting information both about the mummy and the exhbition itself. Be warned - the page takes quite a while to load, and the image on the page even longer.
A detailed summary from Al Ahram Weekly about the BM's analysis of the Theban mummy Nesperennub. This is quite a long article and contains some interesting information both about the mummy and the exhbition itself. Be warned - the page takes quite a while to load, and the image on the page even longer.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Recent Discoveries at Abydos
http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianweekly/story/0,12674,1266978,00.html
This Guardian Online article summarises recent discoveries at Early Dynastic Abydos, including the probable human sacrifices and the 14 buried boats. It includes extensive comments by excavator David O'Connor. This is very much a popular-archaeology article, and is distinctly fluffy, but it does provide a useful top-level summary of what is being found there at the moment.
This Guardian Online article summarises recent discoveries at Early Dynastic Abydos, including the probable human sacrifices and the 14 buried boats. It includes extensive comments by excavator David O'Connor. This is very much a popular-archaeology article, and is distinctly fluffy, but it does provide a useful top-level summary of what is being found there at the moment.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Pollution forces Egypt to move statue of god-king
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=4&Article_id=6446
The 80-ton pink granite statue of Ramesses II, originally from Memphis but currently located outside the Cairo Station, is covered in scaffolding in preparation for a move to a new location south of the city next year. It has suffered from pollution damage and is being examined for internal cracks prior to a logistical exercise that will cost around £1million UKP.
The 80-ton pink granite statue of Ramesses II, originally from Memphis but currently located outside the Cairo Station, is covered in scaffolding in preparation for a move to a new location south of the city next year. It has suffered from pollution damage and is being examined for internal cracks prior to a logistical exercise that will cost around £1million UKP.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
New twist on out-of-Africa theory
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1153697.htm
DNA analysis presented at a genetics conference that gives a new twist on the out-of-Africa hypothesis of human origins. U.S. researcher Professor Alan Templeton doesn't support the so-called replacement theory in which African hominids caused the extinction of other Homo species. Instead, he believes that his analysis of the human genome showed that prehistoric gene-swapping created a single evolutionary lineage beginning in Africa and ending where we are today.
DNA analysis presented at a genetics conference that gives a new twist on the out-of-Africa hypothesis of human origins. U.S. researcher Professor Alan Templeton doesn't support the so-called replacement theory in which African hominids caused the extinction of other Homo species. Instead, he believes that his analysis of the human genome showed that prehistoric gene-swapping created a single evolutionary lineage beginning in Africa and ending where we are today.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Professor Lech Krzyzaniak
http://www.muzarp.poznan.pl/muzeum/eindex.html
On the Poznan Museum Home Page: "It is with great sadness that we report the death
of Prof. Dr. Lech Krzyżaniak, a director of this Museum of long standing and an eminent researcher of the prehistory of North Eastern Africa, on July 10th, 2004." I never met Professor Krzyzaniak, but I have read nearly everything he wrote on the prehistory of Egypt, and I am truly sad to hear of his death. He will leave a great gap in Prehistoric studies. My sympathies to his friends, colleagues and family.
On the Poznan Museum Home Page: "It is with great sadness that we report the death
of Prof. Dr. Lech Krzyżaniak, a director of this Museum of long standing and an eminent researcher of the prehistory of North Eastern Africa, on July 10th, 2004." I never met Professor Krzyzaniak, but I have read nearly everything he wrote on the prehistory of Egypt, and I am truly sad to hear of his death. He will leave a great gap in Prehistoric studies. My sympathies to his friends, colleagues and family.
Friday, July 09, 2004
News Item: Ongoing work at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/698/hr1.htm
An overview of the excavation, conservation and archaeological research project carried out this year by the Centre Franco-Egyptian d'Etude des Temples de Karnak (CFEETK), along with their Egyptian colleagues, in five different areas of Karnak temple.
Also, a description of the SCA's planned activities in the valley of the Kings: The SCA is undertaking a site management project with a Japanese Government grant of $2.6 million offered as a grant by the Japanese government.to provide a proper Visitor Centre, a new security system and stricter guidelines for tourists.
An overview of the excavation, conservation and archaeological research project carried out this year by the Centre Franco-Egyptian d'Etude des Temples de Karnak (CFEETK), along with their Egyptian colleagues, in five different areas of Karnak temple.
Also, a description of the SCA's planned activities in the valley of the Kings: The SCA is undertaking a site management project with a Japanese Government grant of $2.6 million offered as a grant by the Japanese government.to provide a proper Visitor Centre, a new security system and stricter guidelines for tourists.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Egyptian Antiquities Overview
http://www.egypttoday.com/arttemplate.asp?ArtID=50&IssueNo=07&IssueYear=04&MagID=ET
Egypt Today magazine article about the management of Egyptian antiquities and some of the recent negative publicity that it has received, together with information about progress with the Alexandria excavations and a musuems update.
Egypt Today magazine article about the management of Egyptian antiquities and some of the recent negative publicity that it has received, together with information about progress with the Alexandria excavations and a musuems update.
More on the British Museum 3-D Mummy Analysis (Discovery Channel)
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20040628/mummy.html
Another article about the BM's virtual unwrapping of the mummy of Nesperennub
Another article about the BM's virtual unwrapping of the mummy of Nesperennub
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Battlements Found at Egypt's Ancient East Gateway
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=5556237
"An Egyptian archaeological team has uncovered battlements from Pharaonic times at the ancient eastern gateway to Egypt in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, the Culture Ministry said Wednesday. The find includes three fortifications built in the area of Tharu, an ancient city which stood on a branch of the Nile that has long since dried up, a ministry statement said". (Reuters). See article for more.
"An Egyptian archaeological team has uncovered battlements from Pharaonic times at the ancient eastern gateway to Egypt in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, the Culture Ministry said Wednesday. The find includes three fortifications built in the area of Tharu, an ancient city which stood on a branch of the Nile that has long since dried up, a ministry statement said". (Reuters). See article for more.
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