ARCE-NC Zoom Egyptology Talk 8/16 - Here Comes the Sun: A diachronic study on the role of music during the Amarna Period

The American Research Center in Egypt, Northern California chapter, invites you to attend a Zoom lecture by Waleed el-Hawatky, The American University in Cairo: Here Comes the Sun: A diachronic study on the role of music during the Amarna Period Sunday, August 16, 2026, 3 PM PDT This meeting is virtual, and not in person. It will be recorded. Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FcyP-FNRSbqg_kpujlRXuA Relief of People Driving off Birds, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.. Limestone, pigment, 8 1/4 x 21 1/4 in. (21 x 54 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 60.197.3. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum,www.brooklynmuseum.org) About the Lecture: Music has played and continues to play a prominent role in the lives of individuals and in society, hardwired into the human experience and integral to our understanding of the world in both its tangible and intangible manifestations. This was no different in dynastic Egypt, where abundant iconographic and physical evidence from the Old Kingdom on shows music being performed in every context and at every level of society. Music appears not only to gain prominence during the Amarna Period but also to develop innovations, including new instrument designs and musical ensembles, all of which are well documented in the rich visual culture of the Amarna Period. This paper explores music in this era, with an emphasis on the royal court, demonstrating its increased role as compared with the first part of the 18th Dynasty with evidence garnered from representations in tombs, temples and texts, as well as physical instruments, amulets, figurines and other material objects associated with music. Through both an Egyptological and musicological approach, this study not only elucidates the function and possibly accelerated evolution of musical innovation in the Amarna Period, but also the implications of the social and gender roles observed in musical practice within the framework of the Aten ideology, perhaps even inspired directly by it.   About the Speaker: Waleed el-Hawatky is an Egyptologist and Musicologist with an MA in Egyptology & Coptology from The American University in Cairo. Born and raised in California to Egyptian immigrants, el-Hawatky is a newcomer to Egyptology, coming from a background in genetics and public relations, bringing disciplinary versatility to his work. A composer, performer and recording artist of nearly three decades, el-Hawatky specializes in ancient Egyptian musicology, seeking new approaches to the study of ancient music in hopes of eventually constructing a comprehensive lexicon on the ancient Egyptian musical tradition, contributing to the wider study of daily life in ancient Egypt. How to Register: Register for the lecture by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FcyP-FNRSbqg_kpujlRXuA After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the lecture. There are a few things you should know before you join the lecture: * Advance registration is required. When you click on the link to register. you will receive instructions by email on how and when to join, along with a link on which you will click to join the meeting. Save the email, as you will need the link it contains to join the meeting. Please register now. 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