Just had a brief phone call from Mansour Boraik head of the SCA in Luxor
1) the new head of the SCA Mohammed Abdel Fattah wants to pay a lot of attention to Luxor starting with the completion of Sphinx Avenue in time for an end of October opening
2) there will be a new site management of Karnak to take account of the excavations at the front of the temple. At the moment the visitors miss what is going on and go straight to the first pylon
3) Ted Brock has been working on the restoration of the sarcophagus of Merenptah
4) They are hoping to have a new lecture series this season
You can imagine how excited I was about the last the one
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Saturday, 27 August 2011
El Kanaysis Trip
One of my guests made the trip to El Kanaysis on Friday, this site is on the Edfu to Marsa Alam road and used to be impossible to get to. According to Baedeker it was built by Seti I and dedicated to Amun Re. It was a watering station and there are long inscriptions recording the sinking of the well and the building of the temple. The guest took hundreds of photos of the entire building, these are just some of them. Enjoy!
Glasgow Day School
I picked this up on another site and I guess it is a case of use it or lose it.
"After its closure scare earlier this year, DACE at Glasgow Uni have published their dayschool list for 2011/2012. The Egyptological ones are:
The Cities of Ptolemaic-Roman EgyptDAY
City life in late period Egypt meant having to balance your budget, cope with new religious cults and lack of space for building extensions. We will explore the challenges and brilliance of Egypt’s temple towns, farming communities and royal cities from the Ptolemaic to the Roman period (323 BC to AD 324), focussing on Edfu, Karanis, Sais and, of course, the magnificent AlexandriaAlexandria
Penelope Wilson BA PhD
Y018 Saturday 25 February 2012 10.00-16.30 (1 meeting) £23.00
The New Kingdom way of deathDAY EVENT
The New Kingdom was the high point of ancient Egyptian wealth and prestige, and the tombs of both kings and commoners were amongst the most splendidly decorated and furnished of all Egyptian history, made famous by the discovery of the wonderful tombs of Tutankhamun and Yuya and Tjuiu. Explore the tombs and treasures of this magnificent age for yourself with celebrated Egyptologist and bestselling author Aidan Dodson.
Aidan Dodson BA MPhil PhD FSA
Y017 Saturday 03 March 2012 10.00-16.30 (1 meeting) £23.00
Warfare in ancient Egypt
This course aims to provide a study of warfare in Egypt during the Bronze Age, from the heroic icon of the smiting pharaoh to the more prosaic images of scribes counting bodies. The course will explore the relationship between Egyptian warfare and key aspects of Egyptian society, including religion, injury, death, technological innovation, tactics and fortifications.
Ian Shaw BA PhD
Y021 Saturday 29 October 2011 10.00-17.00 (1 meeting) £23.00
How did statues work in ancient Egypt?
Statues were central to ancient Egyptian religion, but how did the Egyptians use and understand them? This day school will examine stylistic developments in sculptures of non-royal people, deities and kings, and address the meanings behind them through textual sources. We will also study the existence of portraiture, the role of sculptors and the rituals designed to bring statues to life. The day will finish with an opportunity to examine real ancient Egyptian statuary from the Hunterian collection. The collections of The Hunterian provide a valuable resource for this course.
Campbell Price BA MA PhD
Y014 Saturday 26 November 2011 10.00-16.00 (1 meeting) £23.00
Deciphering the past - the race to read Egyptian hieroglyphs and Akkadian cuneiform
This study day will tell the story of Egyptian hieroglyphs and Mesopotamian cuneiform, the two oldest and most enduring scripts of the ancient world. We will look at how, from similar origins, they developed in very different ways over the 3500 years of their use, and explore the excitement, rivalries and controversies surrounding their decipherment in the nineteenth century.
Simon Eccles MA MSc FSAScot and Angela
McDonald MA MPhil DPhil
Y015 Saturday 19 May 2012 10.00-16.00
(1 meeting) £23.00
There are also some non-Egyptology dayschools such as;
Mesopotamia: the Sumerians of ancient Iraq- a day school in association with the British Institute for the Study of IraqY EVENT
Sumer was the birthplace of the world’s first cities and earliest writing. Archaeology and cuneiform inscriptions reveal sophisticated cities such as Uruk and Ur in the period from 3500-2000 BCE. In Ur’s Royal Cemetery retinues of over 60 attendants and rich grave goods attest to elaborate funerary rituals. This joint DACE and British Institute for the study of Iraq day school is the third in the highly successful Mesopotamia series.
Frances Reynolds BA PhD
Y019 Saturday 17 March 2012 10.00-16.00
(1 meeting) £23.00
Finally, there are multiple week daytime and evening classes (such as hieroglyphs, pyramids, egyptian literature etc ), including a new one by Bill Manley on beginners Coptic.
"After its closure scare earlier this year, DACE at Glasgow Uni have published their dayschool list for 2011/2012. The Egyptological ones are:
The Cities of Ptolemaic-Roman EgyptDAY
City life in late period Egypt meant having to balance your budget, cope with new religious cults and lack of space for building extensions. We will explore the challenges and brilliance of Egypt’s temple towns, farming communities and royal cities from the Ptolemaic to the Roman period (323 BC to AD 324), focussing on Edfu, Karanis, Sais and, of course, the magnificent AlexandriaAlexandria
Penelope Wilson BA PhD
Y018 Saturday 25 February 2012 10.00-16.30 (1 meeting) £23.00
The New Kingdom way of deathDAY EVENT
The New Kingdom was the high point of ancient Egyptian wealth and prestige, and the tombs of both kings and commoners were amongst the most splendidly decorated and furnished of all Egyptian history, made famous by the discovery of the wonderful tombs of Tutankhamun and Yuya and Tjuiu. Explore the tombs and treasures of this magnificent age for yourself with celebrated Egyptologist and bestselling author Aidan Dodson.
Aidan Dodson BA MPhil PhD FSA
Y017 Saturday 03 March 2012 10.00-16.30 (1 meeting) £23.00
Warfare in ancient Egypt
This course aims to provide a study of warfare in Egypt during the Bronze Age, from the heroic icon of the smiting pharaoh to the more prosaic images of scribes counting bodies. The course will explore the relationship between Egyptian warfare and key aspects of Egyptian society, including religion, injury, death, technological innovation, tactics and fortifications.
Ian Shaw BA PhD
Y021 Saturday 29 October 2011 10.00-17.00 (1 meeting) £23.00
How did statues work in ancient Egypt?
Statues were central to ancient Egyptian religion, but how did the Egyptians use and understand them? This day school will examine stylistic developments in sculptures of non-royal people, deities and kings, and address the meanings behind them through textual sources. We will also study the existence of portraiture, the role of sculptors and the rituals designed to bring statues to life. The day will finish with an opportunity to examine real ancient Egyptian statuary from the Hunterian collection. The collections of The Hunterian provide a valuable resource for this course.
Campbell Price BA MA PhD
Y014 Saturday 26 November 2011 10.00-16.00 (1 meeting) £23.00
Deciphering the past - the race to read Egyptian hieroglyphs and Akkadian cuneiform
This study day will tell the story of Egyptian hieroglyphs and Mesopotamian cuneiform, the two oldest and most enduring scripts of the ancient world. We will look at how, from similar origins, they developed in very different ways over the 3500 years of their use, and explore the excitement, rivalries and controversies surrounding their decipherment in the nineteenth century.
Simon Eccles MA MSc FSAScot and Angela
McDonald MA MPhil DPhil
Y015 Saturday 19 May 2012 10.00-16.00
(1 meeting) £23.00
There are also some non-Egyptology dayschools such as;
Mesopotamia: the Sumerians of ancient Iraq- a day school in association with the British Institute for the Study of IraqY EVENT
Sumer was the birthplace of the world’s first cities and earliest writing. Archaeology and cuneiform inscriptions reveal sophisticated cities such as Uruk and Ur in the period from 3500-2000 BCE. In Ur’s Royal Cemetery retinues of over 60 attendants and rich grave goods attest to elaborate funerary rituals. This joint DACE and British Institute for the study of Iraq day school is the third in the highly successful Mesopotamia series.
Frances Reynolds BA PhD
Y019 Saturday 17 March 2012 10.00-16.00
(1 meeting) £23.00
Finally, there are multiple week daytime and evening classes (such as hieroglyphs, pyramids, egyptian literature etc ), including a new one by Bill Manley on beginners Coptic.
Chicago House Update
A lovely big update from Ray and the team. Oriental Institute | The Epigraphic Survey: RECENT NEWS
EPIGRAPHIC SURVEY/CHICAGO HOUSE
Archaeological Field Activities in Luxor
October 15, 2010 - April 15, 2011
W. Raymond Johnson, Director
On April 15, 2011 the Epigraphic Survey, in collaboration with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities/Ministry of State for Antiquities Affairs, completed its eighty-seventh, six-month field season in Luxor. Because Luxor remained secure during the enormous changes that took place during Egypt's revolution this winter, Chicago House's activities ran uninterrupted from October 15, 2010 through April 15, 2011. Projects included epigraphic documentation, conservation, and restoration work at Medinet Habu; the inauguration of a new documentation program at the Theban Tomb 107 of Nefersekheru; salvage documentation at Khonsu Temple at Karnak (in cooperation with the American Research Center in Egypt / ARCE); and conservation, restoration, and maintenance of the blockyard open-air museum at Luxor Temple, as well as documentation of blocks from the Basilica of St. Thecla in front of the Ramesses II eastern pylon.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
EPIGRAPHIC SURVEY/CHICAGO HOUSE
Archaeological Field Activities in Luxor
October 15, 2010 - April 15, 2011
W. Raymond Johnson, Director
On April 15, 2011 the Epigraphic Survey, in collaboration with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities/Ministry of State for Antiquities Affairs, completed its eighty-seventh, six-month field season in Luxor. Because Luxor remained secure during the enormous changes that took place during Egypt's revolution this winter, Chicago House's activities ran uninterrupted from October 15, 2010 through April 15, 2011. Projects included epigraphic documentation, conservation, and restoration work at Medinet Habu; the inauguration of a new documentation program at the Theban Tomb 107 of Nefersekheru; salvage documentation at Khonsu Temple at Karnak (in cooperation with the American Research Center in Egypt / ARCE); and conservation, restoration, and maintenance of the blockyard open-air museum at Luxor Temple, as well as documentation of blocks from the Basilica of St. Thecla in front of the Ramesses II eastern pylon.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
Friday, 26 August 2011
Egypt gets new antiquities chief, Mohammed Abdel Fattah
Egypt gets new antiquities chief, replaces Zahi Hawass : Bikya Masr | Independent news for the world: Abdel Fattah is not a well-known figure across Egypt, but archaeologists told Bikyamasr.com that they believe he will be a solid replacement and is not as controversial as Hawass.
One German researcher in the country said that Abdel Fattah is “known to be a fair and honest man and is open to different opinions, unlike Hawass.”
A number of archaeologists are excited with the change, hoping that it will enable greater discourse, which they say was stifled by Hawass’ rule, where “too often opinions that were not in line with what he [Hawass] thought true were ridiculed and sometimes foreign workers were barred from digging.”
Abdel Fattah told local newspapers that he would complete several unfinished construction projects, while cautioning that others would have to be postponed because of a lack of money. Much of the council’s budget comes from ticket sales to museums and archaeological sites, and tourism to Egypt has been decimated by the revolution.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
One German researcher in the country said that Abdel Fattah is “known to be a fair and honest man and is open to different opinions, unlike Hawass.”
A number of archaeologists are excited with the change, hoping that it will enable greater discourse, which they say was stifled by Hawass’ rule, where “too often opinions that were not in line with what he [Hawass] thought true were ridiculed and sometimes foreign workers were barred from digging.”
Abdel Fattah told local newspapers that he would complete several unfinished construction projects, while cautioning that others would have to be postponed because of a lack of money. Much of the council’s budget comes from ticket sales to museums and archaeological sites, and tourism to Egypt has been decimated by the revolution.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
Saturday, 20 August 2011
AFP: German scientists trace cause of death... 3,500 years later
AFP: German scientists trace cause of death... 3,500 years later: BERLIN — An Egyptian queen who died 3,500 years ago might have poisoned herself accidentally by using a carcinogenic balm to treat a skin complaint, German university researchers said Friday.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
- Sent using Google Toolbar
Friday, 19 August 2011
Chronological Luxor
It occurred to me that some visitors to Luxor would like to view things from a particular period or king so I divided up every site in Luxor chronologically. Not everything is open but most are.
• Pre Dynastic
o Naqqada
• 1st intermediate period
o Ankhtifi
• Middle Kingdom
o Deir el Bahri Nebhepetra-Montuhotep
o Open Air Museum Senusret
White Chapel
Lintels
o Middle Kingdom Courtyard
• 2nd Intermediate Period
o Pyramids Intef 17th dynasty Dra Abu Naga
o Kamose Stele Luxor Museum
New Kingdom
• Ahmose
o Luxor Museum mummy
• Amenhotep I (Ahmose Nefertari)
o Founder workman’s village Deir el Medina
• Tuthmosis I
o Karnak obelisks
• Tuthmosis II
o Karnak enclosure wall middle kingdom court
o 8th pylon
o Deir el Bahri
• Hatshepsut
o Red Chapel
o Obelisks
o Deir el Bahri
o Karnak
• Tuthmosis III
o Mortuary Temple
o Deir el Bahri
o Medinet Habu
o Karnak
o Obelisks
o Tomb
o Rekhmire
o Benji
• Amenhotep II chapel Open Air museum
o Sennefer
o Userhet 56
• Tuthmosis IV
o Karnak
o Nakht
o Meena
• Amenhotep III
o Luxor temple
o Colossus of Memnon
o Malkata
o Tomb west valley
o Ramose, Khaemhet
o Kheruef
o Mut temple
• Amenhotep IV/Akhenaton
o Luxor Museum
o Open Air Museum
o Various block yards
o Damage
• Tutankhamen
o Luxor Temple
o Karnak
o Tomb
• Ay
o Tomb
• Horemheb
o Tomb
o Karnak
o Roy
• Ramses I
o Tomb
o Mummy in Luxor museum
• Seti I
o Tomb
o Karnak
o Temple
o Pashedu
o Abydos
• Ramses II
o Luxor temple
o Karnak
o Ramasseum
o Tomb
o Kv5
o Over carving Deir el Bahri, Medinet Habu, Seti I temple
o Sennedjem
o Userhet 51
o Khonsu
o Nefersekheru
o Neferronpet
• Merenptah
o Tomb
o Temple
o Shu Roy
• Seti II - tomb
• Amenesses -tomb
• Siptah - tomb
• Tawsert/Sethnakht
o Tomb and remnants of mortuary temple
• Ramses III
o Tomb
o Valley of Queens tombs
o Medinet Habu
o Karnak
• Ramses IV
o Tomb
o Ramses IV Anherkhau
• Ramses V-X tombs
• 3rd Intermediate Period
o Sheshonk Karnak ( II Kings)
• Late Period
o Assasif Tomb Ankhhor
o Pabasa
o Medinet Habu
o Karnak
• 30th Dynasty – Nectanebo Sphinx Alley
• Ptolemaic
o Deir el Medina temple
o Karnak
Ptah temple
Khonsu temple
o Medinet Habu
o Tod Temple
• Roman
o Luxor Temple
o Front of Karnak
• Islamic
o Luxor Temple Mosque
• Modern Times
o Carter House
If you want more details of a site try my Hidden Luxor and free videos
• Hidden Luxor
o Travel to and around Luxor Free Video
o Site Practicalities Free Video
o Getting About in Luxor Free Video
o Hidden E-book
o Hidden Videos
o Hidden Holiday
• Pre Dynastic
o Naqqada
• 1st intermediate period
o Ankhtifi
• Middle Kingdom
o Deir el Bahri Nebhepetra-Montuhotep
o Open Air Museum Senusret
White Chapel
Lintels
o Middle Kingdom Courtyard
• 2nd Intermediate Period
o Pyramids Intef 17th dynasty Dra Abu Naga
o Kamose Stele Luxor Museum
New Kingdom
• Ahmose
o Luxor Museum mummy
• Amenhotep I (Ahmose Nefertari)
o Founder workman’s village Deir el Medina
• Tuthmosis I
o Karnak obelisks
• Tuthmosis II
o Karnak enclosure wall middle kingdom court
o 8th pylon
o Deir el Bahri
• Hatshepsut
o Red Chapel
o Obelisks
o Deir el Bahri
o Karnak
• Tuthmosis III
o Mortuary Temple
o Deir el Bahri
o Medinet Habu
o Karnak
o Obelisks
o Tomb
o Rekhmire
o Benji
• Amenhotep II chapel Open Air museum
o Sennefer
o Userhet 56
• Tuthmosis IV
o Karnak
o Nakht
o Meena
• Amenhotep III
o Luxor temple
o Colossus of Memnon
o Malkata
o Tomb west valley
o Ramose, Khaemhet
o Kheruef
o Mut temple
• Amenhotep IV/Akhenaton
o Luxor Museum
o Open Air Museum
o Various block yards
o Damage
• Tutankhamen
o Luxor Temple
o Karnak
o Tomb
• Ay
o Tomb
• Horemheb
o Tomb
o Karnak
o Roy
• Ramses I
o Tomb
o Mummy in Luxor museum
• Seti I
o Tomb
o Karnak
o Temple
o Pashedu
o Abydos
• Ramses II
o Luxor temple
o Karnak
o Ramasseum
o Tomb
o Kv5
o Over carving Deir el Bahri, Medinet Habu, Seti I temple
o Sennedjem
o Userhet 51
o Khonsu
o Nefersekheru
o Neferronpet
• Merenptah
o Tomb
o Temple
o Shu Roy
• Seti II - tomb
• Amenesses -tomb
• Siptah - tomb
• Tawsert/Sethnakht
o Tomb and remnants of mortuary temple
• Ramses III
o Tomb
o Valley of Queens tombs
o Medinet Habu
o Karnak
• Ramses IV
o Tomb
o Ramses IV Anherkhau
• Ramses V-X tombs
• 3rd Intermediate Period
o Sheshonk Karnak ( II Kings)
• Late Period
o Assasif Tomb Ankhhor
o Pabasa
o Medinet Habu
o Karnak
• 30th Dynasty – Nectanebo Sphinx Alley
• Ptolemaic
o Deir el Medina temple
o Karnak
Ptah temple
Khonsu temple
o Medinet Habu
o Tod Temple
• Roman
o Luxor Temple
o Front of Karnak
• Islamic
o Luxor Temple Mosque
• Modern Times
o Carter House
If you want more details of a site try my Hidden Luxor and free videos
• Hidden Luxor
o Travel to and around Luxor Free Video
o Site Practicalities Free Video
o Getting About in Luxor Free Video
o Hidden E-book
o Hidden Videos
o Hidden Holiday
PM finally appoints new chief for Supreme Council of Antiquities | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt
PM finally appoints new chief for Supreme Council of Antiquities | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt: Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has resolved a crisis at the Supreme Council of Antiquities by appointing Mohamed Abdel Fattah as secretary general.
The council was temporarily headed by Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud, who had no decision-making powers.
Abdel Fattah promised to resolve differences among council members and root out corruption. He also vowed to complete a number of unfinished projects, such as the Rams Road in Luxor, the Step Pyramid and the Sharm el-Sheikh Museum.
“Other projects will have to wait until we improve our financial resources,” he said, adding that the council had received a loan of LE350 million from the Central Bank for paying salaries.
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The council was temporarily headed by Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud, who had no decision-making powers.
Abdel Fattah promised to resolve differences among council members and root out corruption. He also vowed to complete a number of unfinished projects, such as the Rams Road in Luxor, the Step Pyramid and the Sharm el-Sheikh Museum.
“Other projects will have to wait until we improve our financial resources,” he said, adding that the council had received a loan of LE350 million from the Central Bank for paying salaries.
- Sent using Google Toolbar
BBC News - The story of how we got our alphabets
If you are coming on our residential hieroglyphs course next summer you may find this short video interesting. BBC News - The story of how we got our alphabets: - Sent using Google Toolbar
Full details of the course are here Hieroglyphics Course in Luxor
Full details of the course are here Hieroglyphics Course in Luxor
Thursday, 18 August 2011
New Secretary General of the SCA
From EEF
Recent Arabic press reports suggested that with the changed status of the SCA, the position of Secretary General still needed to get officially (re)filled, and that rumour had it that the candidate might not be the present placeholder Dr. Mohamed Abdel Maksoud, but Prof. Mohamed Abdel Fattah:
http://www.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=476017&SecID=94
http://www.dostor.org/culture/news/11/august/18/51490
The MSA Facebook page today shows a cabinet resolution (no.
1055) that says that Prof. Mohamed Abdel Fattah has indeed been given the position. (No press release yet.)
Cp. English press report that has just appeared:
"Following two months of the cancelation of the Ministry of State for Antiquities Affairs, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf appointed Mohamed Abdel Fatah the new Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). Abdel Fatah was the head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities sector at the SCA. He previously served as head of the Museums sectors and director of Antiquities in Upper Egypt." (with photo) .
Recent Arabic press reports suggested that with the changed status of the SCA, the position of Secretary General still needed to get officially (re)filled, and that rumour had it that the candidate might not be the present placeholder Dr. Mohamed Abdel Maksoud, but Prof. Mohamed Abdel Fattah:
http://www.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=476017&SecID=94
http://www.dostor.org/culture/news/11/august/18/51490
The MSA Facebook page today shows a cabinet resolution (no.
1055) that says that Prof. Mohamed Abdel Fattah has indeed been given the position. (No press release yet.)
Cp. English press report that has just appeared:
"Following two months of the cancelation of the Ministry of State for Antiquities Affairs, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf appointed Mohamed Abdel Fatah the new Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). Abdel Fatah was the head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities sector at the SCA. He previously served as head of the Museums sectors and director of Antiquities in Upper Egypt." (with photo) .
How can we change the tourism map in Egypt? | Washington Times Communities
What a great comment by the minister. I so agree with him. That is exactly the attitude I take at my own tourist accommodation. I don't try and be the cheapest but the best. I heard about a friend staying at a flat in Hurghada who was concerned about turning the air conditioning on as she had to pay extra. I include everything including free WiFi. I am certain that a better quality makes for better tourism and it seems the minister thinks exactly the same. Like the author I feel more optimistic about tourism in Egypt. How can we change the tourism map in Egypt? | Washington Times Communities: Egypt is perceived and sold as a cheap destination; I think it is very unfortunate result of bad planning, over supply of hotel capacity [in] some areas, Egypt deserves much more than this work to increase touristic services. We need to plan more carefully the touristic development, work on increasing the level of services. We should diversify our products; try to create a centre of excellence, a very high standard of services, commanding higher prices, raising the level of services all around it and contributing to change the perception of the world.
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- Sent using Google Toolbar
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Archaeologists call for funds to save Kabash Road in Luxor | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt
This is Sphinx Avenue. Archaeologists call for funds to save Kabash Road in Luxor | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt: "Archaeologists and tour guides in Luxor on Sunday demanded that Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud, general secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, launch an international campaign for saving Kabash Road.
Kabash Road connects Karnak and Luxor temples at a length of 2700 meters. People have illegally built on it since the start of Egypt’s revolution at the end of January.
Mansour Barek, supervisor of the archaeological area, emphasized the necessity of providing funds for compensating those whose buildings will be bulldozed and relocating people living in Abu Asaba, north of Kabash Road, whose dwellings encroach on the road.
After these steps are taken, the project to make Luxor the largest open-air museum in the world will be almost completed.
Barek said that LE20 million is needed to finish the project, which includes uncovering and restoring the road. He said 80 percent of the project has been completed so far.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Kabash Road connects Karnak and Luxor temples at a length of 2700 meters. People have illegally built on it since the start of Egypt’s revolution at the end of January.
Mansour Barek, supervisor of the archaeological area, emphasized the necessity of providing funds for compensating those whose buildings will be bulldozed and relocating people living in Abu Asaba, north of Kabash Road, whose dwellings encroach on the road.
After these steps are taken, the project to make Luxor the largest open-air museum in the world will be almost completed.
Barek said that LE20 million is needed to finish the project, which includes uncovering and restoring the road. He said 80 percent of the project has been completed so far.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Monday, 15 August 2011
A message to all my friends! | drhawass.com - Zahi Hawass
Zahi's last word? A message to all my friends! | drhawass.com - Zahi Hawass: "A message to all my friends!
I am sorry that I have not updated my website for the past several weeks. I have had to spend a great deal of my time dealing with false accusations that have been made against me. I am now waiting for the Office of the Attorney General to finish their investigation; after this I will be free to publish the details of these ridiculous allegations.
I am glad to say that I have also found time to work on a book about the Egyptian Revolution, and its effect on our antiquities. I am also getting ready to start the second part of my archaeological autobiography, Secrets from the Sand Part II.
My life as a private person is very different from my life as an antiquities official, and apart from having to deal with false accusations, I am enjoying my freedom from the great responsibility I have been carrying for the past nine years. I get up early and go to my office, where I have all of my Egyptological books. As I have done for most of my life, I work seven days a week. I do not use my private car; I take taxis and walk on the street, enjoying the crowds of Cairo. Every day I am blessed to see first-hand how so many Egyptians respect and love me.
The other day, I sat beside a taxi driver who lives in Nazlet el-Samman, the village at the foot of the pyramids. He told me that he had witnessed how some of the camel and horse drivers united against me during the Revolution, because they had seen this as an opportunity to get rid of me. The driver told me, “Sir, anyone who loves his country should know that the project you did at the pyramids will make this area into an open museum, not a zoo like it is now.” He added that he had seen himself how so many of the drivers deceive and cheat the tourists, and that my project would make all the drivers equal, because there will be a system, controlled by police, antiquities officials, and health authorities. He also told me that the Egyptians are proud of me and love me, and that all the foreigners who ride in his taxi know me, and that this made him happy and proud. And at the end, he refused to take the taxi fare!
Another time, I was walking in Lebanon Street, waiting to cross. A car with five young men and women inside stopped and asked if they could take a picture with me, because I am the “Indiana Jones of Egypt.” I was honored to be photographed with them.
Strangers have even called me to offer their support, like one lady who said she had spent a long time trying to get my cell number, so she could tell me that many people know that the people writing against me are wrong, and not to worry. “You live in our hearts,” she told me. Another family invited me to have sohoor with them. The mother told me that her nine-year-old son was dreaming of meeting me. So I went, and brought one of my children’s books for him.
These are only a few stories of the many that I experience every day. People in Egypt never see a former minister walking in the street, but I love to do it, and love to buy things on the street and meet the shopkeepers as well.
Although I am being attacked regularly in the media, I have decided not to appear on local television, and not to spend all my time defending myself. I decided to write this short update simply to tell my friends all over the world that I am fine. The preservation and promotion of our priceless heritage is my life, and I will never give up. I am happy now to work for antiquities as a private person, and I will always do anything in my power to help.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
I am sorry that I have not updated my website for the past several weeks. I have had to spend a great deal of my time dealing with false accusations that have been made against me. I am now waiting for the Office of the Attorney General to finish their investigation; after this I will be free to publish the details of these ridiculous allegations.
I am glad to say that I have also found time to work on a book about the Egyptian Revolution, and its effect on our antiquities. I am also getting ready to start the second part of my archaeological autobiography, Secrets from the Sand Part II.
My life as a private person is very different from my life as an antiquities official, and apart from having to deal with false accusations, I am enjoying my freedom from the great responsibility I have been carrying for the past nine years. I get up early and go to my office, where I have all of my Egyptological books. As I have done for most of my life, I work seven days a week. I do not use my private car; I take taxis and walk on the street, enjoying the crowds of Cairo. Every day I am blessed to see first-hand how so many Egyptians respect and love me.
The other day, I sat beside a taxi driver who lives in Nazlet el-Samman, the village at the foot of the pyramids. He told me that he had witnessed how some of the camel and horse drivers united against me during the Revolution, because they had seen this as an opportunity to get rid of me. The driver told me, “Sir, anyone who loves his country should know that the project you did at the pyramids will make this area into an open museum, not a zoo like it is now.” He added that he had seen himself how so many of the drivers deceive and cheat the tourists, and that my project would make all the drivers equal, because there will be a system, controlled by police, antiquities officials, and health authorities. He also told me that the Egyptians are proud of me and love me, and that all the foreigners who ride in his taxi know me, and that this made him happy and proud. And at the end, he refused to take the taxi fare!
Another time, I was walking in Lebanon Street, waiting to cross. A car with five young men and women inside stopped and asked if they could take a picture with me, because I am the “Indiana Jones of Egypt.” I was honored to be photographed with them.
Strangers have even called me to offer their support, like one lady who said she had spent a long time trying to get my cell number, so she could tell me that many people know that the people writing against me are wrong, and not to worry. “You live in our hearts,” she told me. Another family invited me to have sohoor with them. The mother told me that her nine-year-old son was dreaming of meeting me. So I went, and brought one of my children’s books for him.
These are only a few stories of the many that I experience every day. People in Egypt never see a former minister walking in the street, but I love to do it, and love to buy things on the street and meet the shopkeepers as well.
Although I am being attacked regularly in the media, I have decided not to appear on local television, and not to spend all my time defending myself. I decided to write this short update simply to tell my friends all over the world that I am fine. The preservation and promotion of our priceless heritage is my life, and I will never give up. I am happy now to work for antiquities as a private person, and I will always do anything in my power to help.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Update from Osirisnet
We are presenting to you today the funerary complex of Nyankhnefertem, a.k.a. Temi, dating back to the VIth dynasty, at Saqqara. The chapel of this character, who was funerary priest in the temples of the pyramids of Unas and Teti, has been indisputably based on the one of its prestigious neighbour, the vizier Merefnebef (which we have already shown on OsirisNet).
Very well preserved, this chapel still has some beautiful polychromic scenes, and the study of the iconographic program points to interesting underlying family rivalries.
http://www.osirisnet.net/mastabas/nyankhnefertoum/e_nyankhnefertoum_01.htm
Enjoy!
Thierry BENDERITTER
Saturday, 13 August 2011
'Dog Days' of Summer End With Dog Star's Sky Return | Dog Star Sirius Skywatching Tips | Stars & Earth Seasons | Space.com
For all Egyptology calender buffs. 'Dog Days' of Summer End With Dog Star's Sky Return | Dog Star Sirius Skywatching Tips | Stars & Earth Seasons | Space.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
PHARAOHS USED THIS AVENUE - British Pathe
Clearance of the sphinx alley,what is fascinating is that it is still going on. I actually spoke to Mansour Boraik last night and there is a big meeting going on Monday between the new Governor, the Sec General and Deputy Sec of the SCA and Mansour to talk about the final bits of clearance. Mansour has just returned from Stuttgart where he was giving a series of lectures and seems very keen to sort this one out.
If you are in the UK of have a UK VPN you can watch this.PHARAOHS USED THIS AVENUE - British Pathe: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
If you are in the UK of have a UK VPN you can watch this.PHARAOHS USED THIS AVENUE - British Pathe: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Thursday, 11 August 2011
THE DAILY STAR :: Culture :: Travel & Tourism :: Committee to fund Zoser pyramid renovation
Zahi's replacement. THE DAILY STAR :: Culture :: Travel & Tourism :: Committee to fund Zoser pyramid renovation: "The newly appointed Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt Mohammad Abdel-Maksoud announced Sunday that a committee has decided to make funds available to restart restoration work on the Zoser pyramid.
Local media had claimed the inside of the pyramid was falling down, following a default in payment to the company that was operating the restoration works. A statement from the council said that a technical committee met Sunday, and decided that payments would be in three phases with a priority for the workers’ salaries and for the delayed company payments.
King Zoser’s step Pyramid of Saqqara stands about 30 kilometers south of Cairo.
It is thought to be the first pyramid ever built in Egypt and the oldest stone building still standing in the country.
Abdel-Maksoud replaced the former flamboyant antiquities chief Zahi Hawass, known for his “Indiana Jones” style hats. His initial replacement, Abdel-Fattah al-Banna, came under fire for lacking archaeology credentials for the post. After Banna quit shortly after his appointment in July, council secretary Abdel-Maksoud took his place
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Local media had claimed the inside of the pyramid was falling down, following a default in payment to the company that was operating the restoration works. A statement from the council said that a technical committee met Sunday, and decided that payments would be in three phases with a priority for the workers’ salaries and for the delayed company payments.
King Zoser’s step Pyramid of Saqqara stands about 30 kilometers south of Cairo.
It is thought to be the first pyramid ever built in Egypt and the oldest stone building still standing in the country.
Abdel-Maksoud replaced the former flamboyant antiquities chief Zahi Hawass, known for his “Indiana Jones” style hats. His initial replacement, Abdel-Fattah al-Banna, came under fire for lacking archaeology credentials for the post. After Banna quit shortly after his appointment in July, council secretary Abdel-Maksoud took his place
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Egypt to receive four stolen artifacts from the UK within days | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt
Egypt to receive four stolen artifacts from the UK within days | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt: "The pieces had been removed from the base of an ancient statue of Amnehotep III in his mortuary temple in Luxor, the statement said. It added that three are heads with Asian features and the fourth is a cartouche that belonged to the pharaoh.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Video Travel Tips for Luxor
One of the people who bought my Hidden Luxor series of video lectures on the historical sites commented that he would have liked to see some tips and advice as well so I have done 3 videos as freebies for everyone.
Site Visits, tickets, toilets, touts
Travel, how to get to Luxor and how to get about
Shops, Restaurants, Culture and Accommodation
Site Visits, tickets, toilets, touts
Travel, how to get to Luxor and how to get about
Shops, Restaurants, Culture and Accommodation
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Yet another new governor
Egyptian press say that General Khaled Fouda has been replaced by an ex Ambassador Ezzat Mohammed Saad as the governor of Luxor, mu husband read this online so any Arabic speakers may be able to pick up the press report
Here is a press report in english New Governors
Here is a press report in english New Governors
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Hidden Hieroglyphs by Suzanne Lax-Bojtos
Flats in Luxor is delighted to announce it's first residential Hieroglyphs course ~Hidden Hieroglyphs
Suzanne Lax-Bojtos is our visiting guest lecturer for a complete week of hands on hieroglyphs. We are delighted to have been able to obtain the services of such a well qualified and eminent lecturer.
Suzanne was born in the Czech Republic but has been living in the UK since the late 70’s where she obtained an MPhil from University College London in Egyptology; her specialist subject was “the Fayum during the Middle Kingdom”. She has been in adult education for many years and has been teaching Egyptology at Birkbeck College for some 15 years.
The 8 day holiday will take place late July/early August and costs $797 per person (excluding flights, visa and insurance). The exact date will depend on initial demand
Suzanne Lax-Bojtos is our visiting guest lecturer for a complete week of hands on hieroglyphs. We are delighted to have been able to obtain the services of such a well qualified and eminent lecturer.
Suzanne was born in the Czech Republic but has been living in the UK since the late 70’s where she obtained an MPhil from University College London in Egyptology; her specialist subject was “the Fayum during the Middle Kingdom”. She has been in adult education for many years and has been teaching Egyptology at Birkbeck College for some 15 years.
The 8 day holiday will take place late July/early August and costs $797 per person (excluding flights, visa and insurance). The exact date will depend on initial demand
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Pharaon Magazine Update
From: "françois tonic"
bonjour,
the new issue of Pharaon Magazine is now available !
- Christiane Desroche Noblecourt : beyond the books, madame the archaeologist
- drugs and ancient egypt : nicotina and cocaine inside the mummies !
true or not true ?
- special article about excavations at Tanis, by Philippe Brissaud
- 12 hours of the night and the journey of the sun, 1st part
- tomb of Menna
- the news tombs opening at Saqqarah
- the blue lotus
- Osorkon and the chronology of the 22th dynasty
- "Fastueuse Egypte" : the greatest egyptian' exhibition at Avignon
all new web site !
www.pharaon-magazine.fr
French only
next issue :
Issue #7 : later october
special issue #4 : decembre 2011
best regards,
francois tonic
bonjour,
the new issue of Pharaon Magazine is now available !
- Christiane Desroche Noblecourt : beyond the books, madame the archaeologist
- drugs and ancient egypt : nicotina and cocaine inside the mummies !
true or not true ?
- special article about excavations at Tanis, by Philippe Brissaud
- 12 hours of the night and the journey of the sun, 1st part
- tomb of Menna
- the news tombs opening at Saqqarah
- the blue lotus
- Osorkon and the chronology of the 22th dynasty
- "Fastueuse Egypte" : the greatest egyptian' exhibition at Avignon
all new web site !
www.pharaon-magazine.fr
French only
next issue :
Issue #7 : later october
special issue #4 : decembre 2011
best regards,
francois tonic