Some recent Dissertations from the University of California Some recent Dissertations from the University of California
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(MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Although Memphis is located in Giza governorate, with people always visiting the Giza Pyramids, yet most of them know nothing about this town.
Memphis, which is currently known as Mit Rahina, has many mesmerising monuments. It is such a waste for tourists and people to go all the way to Giza, without visiting this amazing, yet forgotten place.
Mit Rahina MuseumThe Mit Rahina is an open Egyptian museum, with several ancient Egyptian artefacts discovered on site.
Memphis city is the centre of Badrasheen in Giza. Memphis was the capital of the first Old Kingdom in ancient Egypt, since the unification of the north and south by King Narmer, until the year 2,200 BC.Narmer was an ancient Egyptian king of the Early Dynastic period. He was considered the unifier of Egypt, and the founder of the First Dynasty, and in turn the first king of a unified Egypt.
Meanwhile in the New Kingdom, the city of Thebes was the capital, while Memphis was the centre of the political power and government, as it had the rulers' palaces.Most of the pieces in the museum date back to the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. The museum was built around a statue of Ramses in order to protect it. The statue was discovered in the same place as where it currently stands.
The museum consists of two parts, the indoors museum, and the outdoors museum. The indoors area contains that statue of Ramses II, and the ancient columns and statues of dwarfs. On the other hand, the outdoor area contains the Ramses Sphinx, and the Triad of Memphis statue.The Ramses Sphinx
This Sphinx was fashioned to imitate the original Sphinx at the Giza Pyramids. Yet, the head of this Sphinx represents the face of Ramses II, rather than King Khufu, with the lion's body constant.The statue of the Triad of Memphis
The Triad of Memphis consists of Ptah, Sekhmet, and their son Nefertem. The three Gods' centre of worship was in Memphis. In Egyptian mythology, Memphis was believed to be under the protection of the God Ptah.Ptah is the God of craftsmen and architects. Sekhmet was Ptah's wife and the mother of Nefertem, the Lotus God. Sekhmet, meaning strong, was always represented as a lady with the head of a lioness sitting on the throne adorned by the sign of unification of the north and south of Egypt, topped by the sun disk and the Cobra snake.
Ramses II statueThe statue of Ramses II was discovered in 1820 by the Explorer Giovanni Batista Cavellia, near Memphis in Egypt.
Ramses II was the third pharaoh of the 19th Egyptian dynasty. He is regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom, who ruled for the longest time any pharaoh did.There are protective cartridges on the shoulders of the statue, with Ramses wearing a dagger, and two heads representing Horus.
The statue's hand is closed to represent intensity and strength, while the statue's smiling face represents mercy and tolerance.The ancient columns
The museum also contains columns representing the late age of the ancient Egyptian civilisation, through displaying the lotus flower.The other columns represent the Christian era with the columns displaying the acanthus leaf, which are inspired from grapes, with the grape juice representing Jesus's blood.
The statues of dwarfsThese dwarfs appeared in the New kingdom of ancient Egypt, when they came from Africa.
During this period, the dwarfs had two roles, either as court jesters to entertain the king, or as educated dwarfs serving as scribes and mufflers of royal secrets.
MENAFN2712201801530000ID1097889745
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An "exceptionally well-preserved" tomb belonging to a Fifth Dynasty royal priest was discovered at Saqqara by an Egyptian archaeological mission on Saturday - Egypt Today. 
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At least four people have died following an attack on a tourist bus near the Egyptian pyramid site of Giza.
The attack happened about 6:15 p.m. Friday when the bus carrying 14 people, including a driver and Egyptian tour guide, passed an improvised explosive device on the road from Cairo to the antiquities site, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Interior.
Three of the dead are Vietnamese tourists, while one was Egyptian. At least nine other people suffered injuries and were taken to the hospital as emergency workers and security services descended on the scene. Four of those injured had fractures while others had bruises and minor injuries, according to hospital sources speaking with Al Arabiya news.
While Islamic State has claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks in Egypt in the past, there was no immediate acknowledgment from any organization.
This was believed to be the first attack on tourists in Egypt since a July 2017 knife attack at Hurghada, a Red Sea resort popular with foreigners, claimed two lives. In January 2016, three European tourists were attacked while staying at a four-star hotel in Hurghada.
The country's tourism ministry, led by Rania Al Mashat, has stepped up efforts to boost the tourism economy this year alongside Minister of Antiquities Khaled El Enany. New reforms in the tourism sector call for additional investment and modernization with hopes of creating Egyptian jobs, but the vision is perennially threatened by security fears that date back at least to the 1997 attacks at Luxor, which claimed 62 lives.
Egypt routinely deals with terrorist attacks on its own people and institutions, particularly in the Sinai where 305 people died in a November 2017 mosque attack.
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The ABC Murders screenwriter Sarah Phelps will hand over adaptation duties to Gwyneth Hughes, who is writing a version of Death Comes As the End for 2019
This Christmas the BBC unwrapped The ABC Murders, a frenetic mystery starring John Malkovich as the legendary Hercule Poirot. But work is already afoot for more Agatha Christie adaptations in 2019…
The BBC has confirmed that the author's spooky ancient Egyptian story Death Comes as the End will be the next work to be adapted for TV.
Expected to be another three-part drama, this series will mark a departure of sorts from previous adaptations.
For one thing, it's Christie's only novel not set during the 20th century. Instead, the story is set in Thebes in Ancient Egypt in 2000 BC, and features entirely non-European characters.
RadioTimes.com understands that screenwriter Sarah Phelps – who has adapted previous Agatha Christie dramas including The ABC Murders, Ordeal By Innocence and The Witness for the Prosecution – will not write the script for Death Comes As The End.
Instead, the series is being written by Vanity Fair scriptwriter Gwyneth Hughes.
A BBC source confirmed that Hughes is working on a Death Comes as the End adaptation but said it "will be a very different proposition from the recent BBC Agatha Christie adaptations". The BBC source was unable to confirm whether Death Comes as the End will air in Christmas 2019.
"Transmission for this is to be confirmed and Gwyneth has always been the writer attached to this title," they confirmed
However, this does not mean that The ABC Murders will be Phelps's last Agatha Christie adaptation.
"Sarah is not 'stepping aside' from Agatha Christie," the BBC source told RadioTimes.com. "In fact [production company] Mammoth Screen is currently in discussion with Sarah about her next 20th century-set title that she will tackle."
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Open Access Publications from The University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition Open Access Publications from The University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition
Valley of the Sun Kings new explorations in the tombs of the pharaohs: Papers from the University of Arizona International Conference on the Valley of the Kings Edited by Richard H. Wilkinson
Copyright © 2013 by the University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition
The temple of Tausret the University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition Tausret Temple Project, 2004-2011 Edited by Richard H. Wilkinson
Copyright © 2013 by the University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS AND ANCIENT THEBES:Papers Presented in Honor of Richard H. WilkinsonEdited by Pearce Paul Creasman
Wilkinson Egyptology Series, volume I
Copyright © 2013 by the University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition
Image and voice in Saite Egypt : Self-presentations of Neshor named Psamtikmenkhib and Payeftjauemawyneith By Hussair Bassir
Wilkinson Egyptology Series, volume 2
Copyright © 2014 by the University of Arizona Egyptian Expedition
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The Petrie Museum has a range of sound-making artefacts from Roman Egypt. These include bells, reed panpipes, pottery rattles, cymbals, and wooden clappers. The exhibition demonstrates how researchers used laser-scanning technology to create 3D virtual models. These models were then 3D printed in plastic to create replica objects. Some of the models were also used to create craft replicas in materials like ceramic, wood, and bronze. All these replicas form an integral part of this exhibition together with 3D digital models based on the laser scans.
Visitors can see the original Roman instruments displayed alongside the modern replicas, and learn about how they were used in the Roman period. The exhibition reveals how different instruments were used to create particular experiences, for instance the role of instruments within religious and ritual activities, in the Egyptian home, and in processions and performances. Sound-making objects were important not only for entertainment, but also had practical uses in everyday life, for instance as toys, protective amulets, and to make alert or alarm sounds.
Some replicas are also available to be handled and played, with additional sound recordings providing an evocative illustration of the sounds of Roman Egyptian life. The sound recordings have been created using computer software that mimics the acoustic qualities of specific interior and exterior spaces. Information about Roman-period buildings, from archaeological remains in Egypt, is used in the software to allow us to hear the sounds of the instruments as though they were being played within these ancient spaces. Further evidence from ancient sources, such as musical texts from papyri documents, has allowed authentic tunes, rhythms and scales to be replicated.
There will be a series of associated workshops based around replica instruments aimed at both families and the general public. The workshops provide an opportunity to try out the full range of replica objects, hear live demonstrations, and learn how to play some ancient rhythms. A Key Stage 2 schools learning pack with additional materials will be made available to download from the Petrie Museum website.
This exhibition forms part of the AHRC research project "Roman and Late Antique Artefacts from Egypt: Understanding Society and Culture". The project reveals the social and cultural activities and relationships from daily life in Roman Egypt, through the direct study of artefacts from the Petrie Museum's collection. The artefacts under study are not just musical instruments, but range from weaving tools, to personal jewellery, figurines, shoes, toys, and domestic tools. By assessing details such as materials, wear, repair, and modification on these artefacts, the project seeks to demonstrate the role such objects held – both practically and in terms of sentimental value – in everyday experiences in Roman Egypt. The project also has its own blog where regular research updates are posted: https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/egypt-artefacts/blog/
Start:
Location: Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology, Malet Place, London, WC1E 6BT
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Queen Cleopatra was a regular customer to the village's perfumers.
In the northern Dakahlia governorate, a US excavation mission has dug up an ancient Pharaonic settlement which is being dubbed history's oldest village. The head of the mission, Jay Sleifer Stein, announced the news on Wednesday, in attendance of Dakahlia's Governor Kamal Sharobim and Dean of Tourism Faculty at Mansoura University Dr. Amina Shalaby.
Even more interestingly, Dr. Stein said that the village had history's oldest perfume factory. The mission found special perfume-making ovens and murals that demonstrate how workers extracted liquid scents out of flowers. The village was a world-renowned perfume-making center, shipping their bottled products to be sold all around the world as well as the rest of Egypt, as further explained by Dr. Stein.
"We could know the types of plants they used to take flowers to make perfumes, and we are currently collecting them in America to produce the same quality of perfumes used by the Egyptians," said Stein.
The US mission to Tamei Al Amdeed began working in the area in 2007, after being asked by Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities to assess the historical value of the site in fear of damage to the area's monuments on account of rapid urban expansion.
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Every two months, the Nile Scribes bring you summaries of the latest news and discoveries in Egyptology, both from the field and the library. We introduce you to the newest archaeological finds or rediscovered artefacts from museum collections, plus other new theories stirring in the Egyptological Zeitgeist. This winter has seen a wealth of new discoveries with much excitement generated by a beautifully preserved tomb of an Old Kingdom official and a collection of mummified scarab beetles, both from Saqqara.
Did you read our last edition of Discoveries from September?
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities publishes a very helpful round-up of recent discoveries, events, and projects in Egypt in an accessible PDF format. The latest issue was published in November 2018 (English or Arabic).
Nile Scribes: The area around Matariya finds itself in the news yet again: a significant number of fragments of inscriptions and statuary were found within the Temple of the Sun. The dates given for these artefacts range from the Middle Kingdom all the way until the end of the New Kingdom.
"An Egyptian–German archaeological mission uncovered a number of inscription fragments and fragments of smaller statuary at the Temple of the Sun in Matariya, in piles close to lime burning installations. The discovered fragments date back to the 12th and 20th dynasties as well as the Third Intermediate Period, according to Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities sector at the Ministry of Antiquities and head of the Egyptian side of the mission."
NS: Working near the tomb of Petamenope in Luxor's North Asasif, a French archaeological team has uncovered a limestone stela steleand anthropoid sarcophagus dating to the Eighteenth Dynasty and belonging to a man named Pouia. The stela bears the names of two officials: Tetiankh and Ineni.
"The French Institute for Oriental Archaeology's mission has unearthed a sandstone panel and a wooden ark [sarcophagus] dated back to the 18th Dynasty of Pharaonic Egypt in the northern area of El-Assasif Necropolis in Luxor. The mission found the ark [sarcophagus] and the panel in good condition. It only lost part of the leg, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri said."
NS: Among dozens of mummified cats found at Saqqara were reports of mummified scarab beetles, an exceptionally rare find. Two large beetles, in one instance, were found wrapped in linen and placed within limestone sarcophagi decorated with images of beetles.
"Along with the mummified cats and scarabs, the Saqqara tombs contained more than a hundred gilded wooden cat statues and one of solid bronze, all dedicated to Bastet, as well as gilded statues of lions, a cow, and a falcon. Archaeologists also found painted wood sarcophagi containing a mummified crocodile and two mummified cobras, as well as an assortment of amulets, canopic jars, writing instruments, and papyri, all of which could help reveal more about life and death in Egypt's Old Kingdom."
NS: The Ministry of Antiquities recently announced the remarkable discovery of the skeleton of a pregnant woman buried with her unborn fetus near Aswan. This discovery sheds fresh light on deaths during childbirth as such examples are quite rare.
"Dating back 3,700 years, the burial represents an important find for the growing understanding of reproduction and childbirth in the ancient world. This new discovery, announced Wednesday by Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, was found in the region between Aswan and the site of Kom Ombo, well know for its unique Ptolemaic-era double temple dedicated to two gods. This region is currently being investigated by the Aswan-Kom Ombo Archaeological Project (AKAP), directed by Dr. Maria Carmela Gatto of the University of Leicester and Dr. Antonio Curci of the University of Bologna."
NS: The Ramesside tomb of Thaw-Rakht-If, who worked at the Precinct of Mut as the overseer of the mummification shrine, has been discovered in Luxor. Unfortunately, the tomb's two burials date to a later period rather than to the original tomb owner.
"Inside the tomb, two huge wooden anthropoid sarcophagi were found, but studies revealed that they do not belong to the owner of the tombs, but rather to a son and daughter from a later period, Padiset and Nesmutamu. Anany described the well-preserved sarcophagi inside the tomb as "magnificent", with eyes inlaid with golden sheets. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities told Ahram Online that the tomb was buried under 300 meters of debris, and that the mission also uncovered two wooden statues of the deceased, five painted wooden funerary masks, and a collection of ushabti figurines made of faience, wood, burnt clay."
NS: Brightly-painted cartonnage has been discovered along with several mummified remains near the pyramid of Amenemhat II at Dahshur. The site of Sneferu's two earlier pyramids, the unearthed finds actually date to the Late Period, some thousand years later.
"Eight mummies were discovered during excavations near a pyramid in Dahshur, Egypt, the country's Ministry of Antiquities announced today. Dating from the Late Period (664-332 B.C.), the mummified remains were each covered in painted cartonnage (a sort of paper-maché made from plaster and papyrus or linen) and buried in a limestone sarcophagus. Only three of the mummies were in good condition, according to Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities."
NS: A Middle Kingdom burial well with three burial chambers was recently found by an Egyptian archaeological team working in the Fayoum. Though heavily looted, the chambers contained some ceramic finds and a sandstone figure.
"An Egyptian archaeological mission discovered a burial well dating back to the Middle Kingdom in the al-Khalwa area, Fayoum. The well contained three burial chambers, one of which had part of a 40-cm tall statue of a person with his hand on his chest made from sandstone. Another had the mid-section of a basalt statue at 30-cm tall."
NS: The list of remarkable discoveries continues in 2018 (from aged cheese to a sewage-water drowned sarcophagus) as archaeologists at Gebel el-Silsila in Upper Egypt have announced the discovery of a mass burial of 50-60 individuals from the Eighteenth Dynasty, half of whom were children. The tomb is now filled with ground water, a possible factor in keeping the grave intact until today.
"A Swedish archeological mission has discovered an ancient tomb dating back to the 18th Dynasty in Upper Egypt's Aswan governorate, a Ministry of Antiquities statement said on Thursday. The mission, operating in Gabal Al-Selsela area in Kom Ombo, Aswan, announced that the tomb was located five metres underground and consists of a burial chamber and two sided rooms without any decoration."
NS: The discovery of the tomb of Wahtye, an official during the reign of the Fifth Dynasty ruler Neferirkare, provides us with important insight into the administration and bureaucracy of the Old Kingdom state. Its beautiful preservation has captured the attention of the world this month as the internet has been flooded with gorgeous photos of the tomb's interior.
"Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the find as "one of a kind in the last decades". The tomb, found in the Saqqara pyramid complex near Cairo, is filled with colourful hieroglyphs and statues of pharaohs. Decorative scenes show the owner, a royal priest named Wahtye, with his mother, wife and other relatives. Archaeologists will start excavating the tomb on 16 December, and expect more discoveries to follow – including the owner's sarcophagus."
NS: An Egyptian-Austrian team have announced the discovery of cylinder seals bearing the names of two Fifth Dynasty kings, Userkaf and Neferirkare, at Kom Ombo – the first time they have been attested at the site. The team's finds continue to illuminate the activities of the Fifth Dynasty kings in southern Egypt.
"Dr. Irene Forstner-Müller, director of the Austrain Archaeological Institute mission at the site said "The mission started working at the site in 2018 to investigate the history of the town of Kom Ombo. The first season of survey and excavation brought to light a First Intermediate Period Cemetery with the town of the Old Kingdom below it as well as a seal of King "Sahure"."
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