Egyptology

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Egyptology Portal

Egyptology is the scientific study of Ancient Egypt and Egyptian antiquities and is a regional and thematic branch of the larger disciplines of ancient history and archaeology. A practitioner of the discipline is an Egyptologist.

[edit] Introduction

Egyptology investigates the range of Ancient Egyptian cultures (language, literature, history, religion, art, economics, and ethics) from the 5th millennium BC up to the end of Roman rule in the 4th century AD. Modern Egyptology (as opposed to an antiquarian interest in the land of Egypt) is generally perceived as beginning in the year 1822, when Jean-François Champollion announced his general decipherment of the system of Egyptian hieroglyphics for the first time, employing the Rosetta Stone as his primary aid. With subsequently ever-increasing knowledge of Egyptian writing and language, the study of Ancient Egyptian civilisation was able to proceed with greater academic rigour and with all the added impetus that comprehension of the written sources was able to engender.

[edit] Problems and mysteries

There are many open problems concerning Ancient Egypt, and some of them may never be solved. Egyptian archaeology is in a state of constant transition, with much of the terminology and chronology in dispute. The archeological record is incomplete, with countless relics and artifacts missing or destroyed. New archaeological discoveries can call into question previous conclusions about Ancient Egypt. Furthermore, there are internal problems of overall cohesion of various dynasties and there are problems reconciling the Egyptian civilization with other concurrent civilizations.

[edit] Origins

Ancient Egypt appeared as a unified state no earlier than 3300 BC. It survived as an independent state until about 300 BC. Archeological evidence suggests that a developed Egyptian society may have existed for much longer.

[edit] Temples and pyramids

Many Egyptian temples are still standing today. Others are in ruin from wear and tear, while others have been lost entirely. The Egyptian structures are among the largest man-made constructions ever conceived. They constitute one of the most potent and enduring symbols of Ancient Egyptian civilization.

[edit] Burial and tombs

Mummification of the dead was not always practised in Egypt. Once the practice began, an individual was placed at his/her final resting place through a set of rituals and protocol. The Egyptian funeral was a complex ceremony including various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in the dead's honor. The poor, which could not afford expensive tombs were buried in shallow graves in the sand, and because of the natrual, arid, dry enviroment they were often natrally mummified.

[edit] Biblical

The ancient Egyptians are featured in the Old Testament, and played a prominent role in the early Hebrews' life, from Joseph's capture to the departure of the Hebrews from Egypt, and later interaction with the Kingdom of Israel. There are several unanswered question as to the precise influence each had on the other.

[edit] Technology

Certain artifacts and records do not fit with conventional technological development systems. There is a question as to the sophistication of ancient Egyptian technology.

[edit] See also

• Giovanni Battista Belzoni
• Howard Carter
• Zahi Hawass
• William Matthew Flinders Petrie
• List of Egyptologists

[edit] External links and other publications

• Manley, Bill (ed.), The Seventy Great Mysteries of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05123-2
• Mysteries of Egypt National Geographic Society, 1999. ISBN 0-7922-9752-0
• Knapp, Ron, Tutankhamun and the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Messner, 1979. ISBN 0-671-33036-5
• Jacq, Christian, Magic and mystery in ancient Egypt. Souvenir Press, 1998. ISBN 0-285-63462-3
• Archibald's guide to the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Swfte International, Ltd., 1994.
• Bauval, Robert, and Adrian Gilbert, The Orion Mystery : Unlocking the Secrets of the Pyramids". 1994. ISBN 0-517-88454-2
• Childress, David Hatcher, Technology of the Gods: The Incredible Sciences of the Ancients. Adventures Unlimited Press, 2000. ISBN 0-932813-73-9
• Mertz, Barbara. Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt. Dodd Mead, 1978. ISBN 0-396-07575-4
• Mertz, Barbara. Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt. Bedrick, 1990. ISBN 0-87226-223-5
• Morris, Margaret, The Egyptian Pyramid Mystery Is Solved. ISBN 0-9720434-0-3
• Rhys-Davies, John, Riddles of the monument builders : Who built the Sphinx Time-Life Video, 1995.
• Sitchin, Zecharia, The earth chronicles expeditions : journeys to the mythical past. Bear & Co., 2004. ISBN 1-59143-036-4
• Archaeological Institute of America
• Mysteries of Egypt. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, 2001.
• Official Website for Dr. Zahi Hawass
• Egyptian Mysteries
• Catchpenny Mysteries of Ancient Egypt.
• Gray, Martin, The Great Pyramid, Egypt. 2005.
• Dörnenburg, Frank, Mysteries of the Past. 2004.
• Berkeley Groks Science Radio, Show June 30th, 2004: Egyptology
• Theban Mapping Project
• Uruguayan Egyptology
• The Hall of Ma'at
• The Antiquity of Man Exploring human evolution and the dawn of civilisation
• Egyptology - Ancient Near East .net - a collection of links to online Egyptology resources
• Sussex Egyptology Society Online
• CNN.com: " Egyptologists launching online encyclopedia"