Difference between revisions of "Egyptology" - New World Encyclopedia
Nick Perez (talk | contribs) |
Nick Perez (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
{{Contracted}} | {{Contracted}} | ||
| − | '''Egyptology''' as an academic discipline did not fully emerge until the 19th century with the translation of the [[Rosetta Stone]]. Yet interest, both | + | '''Egyptology''' as an academic discipline did not fully emerge until the 19th century with the translation of the [[Rosetta Stone]]. Yet interest, both amateur and academic, in Egyptian civilization and culture goes back as far as the [[Ancient Greeks]]. Fascination with all things Egyptian has led to plundering, desecration and massive dissemination of the vast physical and cultural remains of ancient [[Egypt]]. Recently, as academics and the Egyptian government have asserted the importance of preservations and full understanding of Egyptian heritage, Egyptology has become a recognized academic field of study. |
| + | [[Image:Egypt.Giza.Sphinx.01.jpg|350px|right]] | ||
| + | ==Definition== | ||
| − | + | Egyptology is a specialized field of study, drawing on the practices of Archaeology, history, antiquity and Near East Studies. Egyptology investigates the range of Ancient Egyptian culture ([[language]], [[literature]], [[history]], [[religion]], [[art]], [[economic]]s, and [[ethics]]) from the 5th millennium B.C.E. up to the end of [[Roman Empire|Roman]] rule in the [[4th century]] AD. Because it is such a specialized discipline, '''Egyptologists''' usually spend a majority of their careers exclusively studying ancient Egyptian civilization. | |
| − | |||
| − | Egyptology is a specialized field of study, drawing on the practices of Archaeology, history, antiquity and Near East Studies. Egyptology investigates the range of Ancient Egyptian culture | ||
==A Brief Over-view of Ancient Egyptian Civilization== | ==A Brief Over-view of Ancient Egyptian Civilization== | ||
| − | [[Ancient Egypt]]was one of the longest and most advanced of ancient civilizations. Believed to have appeared as a unified state no earlier than 3300 B.C.E., it lasted for over three millenia, until about 300 B.C.E., and is categorized into nine different Dynasty periods. Their achievements in engineering are the most visible today, the | + | [[Ancient Egypt]] was one of the longest and most advanced of ancient civilizations. Believed to have appeared as a unified state no earlier than 3300 B.C.E., it lasted for over three millenia, until about 300 B.C.E., and is categorized into nine different Dynasty periods. Their achievements in engineering are the most visible today, the pyramids and monuments being recognizable world-wide. But they also had a complicated irrigation technique that harnessed the power of the [[Nile]], a complicated writing system known today as [[hieroglyphics]], complex labor organizations, and a highly structured political and religious structure <ref>"Ancient Egypt". Ask.com http://www.answers.com/topic/ancient-egypt 1 Dec. 2006 </ref>. Perhaps one of the best known traditions of the Egyptians was the practice of [[Mummification]]. The Egyptian funeral was a complex ceremony including various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in the dead's honor. However, the practice also points out the stringent social stratification of the Egyptian society. Mummification was for the rich and prestigious, while the poor, which could not afford expensive tombs were buried in shallow graves in the sand, and because of the natural, arid, dry environment they were often naturally mummified. For most of the civilization's existence, the main religion was [[polytheistic]], and had elements of [[naturalism]]in that certain natural phenomenon, such as the Nile River, The Sun and moon, were all personified in different deities. |
| − | + | [[Image:Egypte_louvre_182.jpg|right|100px]] | |
==Antiquity Interest in Egypt== | ==Antiquity Interest in Egypt== | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Curiosity with the Egyptian Empire dates back to the height of its influence in the region, almost three thousand years ago. [[Herodotus]], the famous [[Greek]] 'father of history' wrote numerous [[tall-tales]] that exemplified the mystique of the Egyptians. <ref> Knox, Bernard Ed. "The Norton Book of Classical Literature". New York: Norton, 1993 </ref> The [[Roman]]s who occupied Egypt for centuries were fascinated by the culture of the area and were the first to really propagate the plundering of Egyptian artifacts on a massive trade scale, although the plundering of tombs and riches had been transpiring since the first tombs were built. The real dissemination of Egyptian culture outside of the [[Mediterrean]] didn't really happen until the [[French]] occupation of the [[Nile Valley]] in the [[18th Century]]. The small team of scholars who studied Egypt published the first scientific volumed called 'Description de l'Egypt'. <ref> 2001-2006[http://www.egyptologyonline.com/history1.htm </ref> The real French contribution and perhaps one of the most important moments in Egyptology was the translation of the written Egyptian language by [[Jean-Francois Champollion]] using the [[Rosetta Stone]]. By opening up the Egyptian language to widespread study, Champollion and other scholars of the time, such as [[Ippolito Rosellini]] and [[Karl Richard Lepsius]] helped usher in the age of antiquity studies in Egypt.<ref> 2001-2006[http://www.egyptologyonline.com/history1.htm </ref> | |
==Beginnings of Modern Egyptology== | ==Beginnings of Modern Egyptology== | ||
| − | In the early [[19th Century]] control of Egypt switched to the [[British Empire]] and with it came a contradictory era of re-newed scholarship and widespread plundering. Ironically, the plundering of Egyptian artifacts lead directly to increased awareness of the need for in-depth academic study and conservation. [[Bernadion Drovetti]] and [[Giovani Belzoni]] both helped stock the [[Louvre]], the [[Berlin Museum]], [[The British Museum]] and [[Turin Museum]] with the bulk of their Egyptian collections, as well as pieces that eventually made their way to other museums, such as the [[ | + | In the early [[19th Century]] control of Egypt switched to the [[British Empire]] and with it came a contradictory era of re-newed scholarship and widespread plundering. Ironically, the plundering of Egyptian artifacts lead directly to increased awareness of the need for in-depth academic study and conservation. [[Bernadion Drovetti]] and [[Giovani Belzoni]] both helped stock the [[Louvre]], the [[Berlin Museum]], [[The British Museum]] and [[Turin Museum]] with the bulk of their Egyptian collections, as well as pieces that eventually made their way to other museums, such as the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] in [[New York]] and the [[Smithsonian Institute]] in [[Washington D.C.]] Widespread display of the exotic artwork helped spread [[European]] interest in the region. |
| − | In 1858, [[Aguste Mariette]] was appointed to oversee all antiquities in Egypt. From that point on, all work in Egypt became more professional and disciplined. Many of the scholars moving in to the area came from museum settings, either in Europe or in the major Egyptian cities of [[Luxor]] and [[Alexandria]], where the | + | In 1858, [[Aguste Mariette]] was appointed to oversee all antiquities in Egypt. From that point on, all work in Egypt became more professional and disciplined. Many of the scholars moving in to the area came from museum settings, either in Europe or in the major Egyptian cities of [[Luxor]] and [[Alexandria]], where the predecessors of Egypt's modern day museums were already setup, and brought the meticulous attention of detail required in cataloging museum items to field work. One of the most significant persons during this time was [[William Matthew Flinders Petrie]] who developed many excavations and recording techniques that are still practiced by [[archaeologist]]s. During this time, such breakthroughs as the mapping of the [[pyramid]] [[architecture]] by [[Ludwig Borcharadt]], the discovery of the [[pyramid texts]] by [[Emile Charles Adalbert Brugsch]], the excavation of [[Aswan]] by [[Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis Budge]] and mass excavations in the [[Valley of the Kings]] all took place . <ref> Dunn, Jimmy. 1999-2005 [http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/egyptologists.htm "The Egyptologists"] Intercity Oz, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2006 </ref>. |
| − | In the early [[20th Century]], [[Howard Carter]] and [[Lord Carnarvon]] discovered the tomb of [[ | + | In the early [[20th Century]], [[Howard Carter]] and [[Lord Carnarvon]] discovered the tomb of [[Tutankhamen]], one of the most famous discoveries in Egyptology of all time. Tutakhamen's tomb was one of the few tombs ever found undisturbed, but also was the first major discovery to be carried by the new technological breakthroughs of media, helping to spread news of the discovery throughout the western world and re-establish the public's interest in Egypt (The rumors of curses and strange occurrences surrounding the excavation helped spread excitement over the discovery). Although Carter's technique was meticulous for the day, his destructive autopsy of Tutakhamen's body highlights how far Egyptology had before becoming a rigidly practiced discipline. |
==Contemporary and Future Issues in Egyptology== | ==Contemporary and Future Issues in Egyptology== | ||
| − | + | Since the mid 20th Century, the [[Supreme Council of Antiquities]] of the [[Egyptian Ministry of Culture]] has had complete control of all ancient Egyptian sites. Recognizing the importance of its heritage, the Egyptian government decided to take control of the areas that had been under foreign control and study for so many years, setting up its own institute to regulate egyptological studies. Foreign groups are still allowed to work in Egypt, under permit, and some of the most prestigious Egyptology institutes are run outside of Egypt, such as through the British Museum, Yale and Pennsylvania Universities, all of which now work closely with the Egyptian government. Study is still an important factor to the Egyptian government, but more so is conservation and a large part of Egyptology practiced in Egypt reflects the desire to preserve the remains of one of the most ancient human civilizations. Such practices as hunting down long stolen artifacts and negotiating the return of pieces in museums for years are examples of the ambitious conservation projects undertaken by the Ministry of Culture. | |
| + | |||
| + | Egyptology itself has come a long way from its beginnings, now a recognized course of study, usually at the graduate level, in most universities that have a well defined Archaeology of Near East studies department. However, the field is far from unified and there are many open problems concerning [[Ancient Egypt]]. Egyptian Archaeology is in a state of constant transition, with much of the terminology and [[chronology]] in dispute. The archaeological 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. | ||
| + | ==Footnotes== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
==External links and other publications== | ==External links and other publications== | ||
* Manley, Bill (ed.), ''The Seventy Great Mysteries of Ancient Egypt''. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05123-2 | * 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 | * ''Mysteries of Egypt'' National Geographic Society, 1999. ISBN 0-7922-9752-0 | ||
| − | * Knapp, Ron, '' | + | * Knapp, Ron, ''Tutankhamen 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 | * 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. | * ''Archibald's guide to the mysteries of ancient Egypt''. Swfte International, Ltd., 1994. | ||
| Line 54: | Line 58: | ||
* [http://www.geocities.com/juanjosecastillos/ Uruguayan Egyptology ] | * [http://www.geocities.com/juanjosecastillos/ Uruguayan Egyptology ] | ||
* [http://www.hallofmaat.com/ The Hall of Ma'at] | * [http://www.hallofmaat.com/ The Hall of Ma'at] | ||
| − | * [http://www.antiquityofman.com/AncientEgypt.html The Antiquity of Man Exploring human evolution and the dawn of | + | * [http://www.antiquityofman.com/AncientEgypt.html The Antiquity of Man Exploring human evolution and the dawn of civilization] |
*[http://www.ancientneareast.net/egyptology.html Egyptology - Ancient Near East .net] - a collection of links to online Egyptology resources | *[http://www.ancientneareast.net/egyptology.html Egyptology - Ancient Near East .net] - a collection of links to online Egyptology resources | ||
*[http://www.egyptology-uk.com/ Sussex Egyptology Society Online] | *[http://www.egyptology-uk.com/ Sussex Egyptology Society Online] | ||
Revision as of 00:59, 28 December 2006
Egyptology as an academic discipline did not fully emerge until the 19th century with the translation of the Rosetta Stone. Yet interest, both amateur and academic, in Egyptian civilization and culture goes back as far as the Ancient Greeks. Fascination with all things Egyptian has led to plundering, desecration and massive dissemination of the vast physical and cultural remains of ancient Egypt. Recently, as academics and the Egyptian government have asserted the importance of preservations and full understanding of Egyptian heritage, Egyptology has become a recognized academic field of study.
Definition
Egyptology is a specialized field of study, drawing on the practices of Archaeology, history, antiquity and Near East Studies. Egyptology investigates the range of Ancient Egyptian culture (language, literature, history, religion, art, economics, and ethics) from the 5th millennium B.C.E. up to the end of Roman rule in the 4th century AD. Because it is such a specialized discipline, Egyptologists usually spend a majority of their careers exclusively studying ancient Egyptian civilization.
A Brief Over-view of Ancient Egyptian Civilization
Ancient Egypt was one of the longest and most advanced of ancient civilizations. Believed to have appeared as a unified state no earlier than 3300 B.C.E., it lasted for over three millenia, until about 300 B.C.E., and is categorized into nine different Dynasty periods. Their achievements in engineering are the most visible today, the pyramids and monuments being recognizable world-wide. But they also had a complicated irrigation technique that harnessed the power of the Nile, a complicated writing system known today as hieroglyphics, complex labor organizations, and a highly structured political and religious structure [1]. Perhaps one of the best known traditions of the Egyptians was the practice of Mummification. The Egyptian funeral was a complex ceremony including various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in the dead's honor. However, the practice also points out the stringent social stratification of the Egyptian society. Mummification was for the rich and prestigious, while the poor, which could not afford expensive tombs were buried in shallow graves in the sand, and because of the natural, arid, dry environment they were often naturally mummified. For most of the civilization's existence, the main religion was polytheistic, and had elements of naturalismin that certain natural phenomenon, such as the Nile River, The Sun and moon, were all personified in different deities.
Antiquity Interest in Egypt
Curiosity with the Egyptian Empire dates back to the height of its influence in the region, almost three thousand years ago. Herodotus, the famous Greek 'father of history' wrote numerous tall-tales that exemplified the mystique of the Egyptians. [2] The Romans who occupied Egypt for centuries were fascinated by the culture of the area and were the first to really propagate the plundering of Egyptian artifacts on a massive trade scale, although the plundering of tombs and riches had been transpiring since the first tombs were built. The real dissemination of Egyptian culture outside of the Mediterrean didn't really happen until the French occupation of the Nile Valley in the 18th Century. The small team of scholars who studied Egypt published the first scientific volumed called 'Description de l'Egypt'. [3] The real French contribution and perhaps one of the most important moments in Egyptology was the translation of the written Egyptian language by Jean-Francois Champollion using the Rosetta Stone. By opening up the Egyptian language to widespread study, Champollion and other scholars of the time, such as Ippolito Rosellini and Karl Richard Lepsius helped usher in the age of antiquity studies in Egypt.[4]
Beginnings of Modern Egyptology
In the early 19th Century control of Egypt switched to the British Empire and with it came a contradictory era of re-newed scholarship and widespread plundering. Ironically, the plundering of Egyptian artifacts lead directly to increased awareness of the need for in-depth academic study and conservation. Bernadion Drovetti and Giovani Belzoni both helped stock the Louvre, the Berlin Museum, The British Museum and Turin Museum with the bulk of their Egyptian collections, as well as pieces that eventually made their way to other museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. Widespread display of the exotic artwork helped spread European interest in the region.
In 1858, Aguste Mariette was appointed to oversee all antiquities in Egypt. From that point on, all work in Egypt became more professional and disciplined. Many of the scholars moving in to the area came from museum settings, either in Europe or in the major Egyptian cities of Luxor and Alexandria, where the predecessors of Egypt's modern day museums were already setup, and brought the meticulous attention of detail required in cataloging museum items to field work. One of the most significant persons during this time was William Matthew Flinders Petrie who developed many excavations and recording techniques that are still practiced by archaeologists. During this time, such breakthroughs as the mapping of the pyramid architecture by Ludwig Borcharadt, the discovery of the pyramid texts by Emile Charles Adalbert Brugsch, the excavation of Aswan by Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis Budge and mass excavations in the Valley of the Kings all took place . [5].
In the early 20th Century, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen, one of the most famous discoveries in Egyptology of all time. Tutakhamen's tomb was one of the few tombs ever found undisturbed, but also was the first major discovery to be carried by the new technological breakthroughs of media, helping to spread news of the discovery throughout the western world and re-establish the public's interest in Egypt (The rumors of curses and strange occurrences surrounding the excavation helped spread excitement over the discovery). Although Carter's technique was meticulous for the day, his destructive autopsy of Tutakhamen's body highlights how far Egyptology had before becoming a rigidly practiced discipline.
Contemporary and Future Issues in Egyptology
Since the mid 20th Century, the Supreme Council of Antiquities of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture has had complete control of all ancient Egyptian sites. Recognizing the importance of its heritage, the Egyptian government decided to take control of the areas that had been under foreign control and study for so many years, setting up its own institute to regulate egyptological studies. Foreign groups are still allowed to work in Egypt, under permit, and some of the most prestigious Egyptology institutes are run outside of Egypt, such as through the British Museum, Yale and Pennsylvania Universities, all of which now work closely with the Egyptian government. Study is still an important factor to the Egyptian government, but more so is conservation and a large part of Egyptology practiced in Egypt reflects the desire to preserve the remains of one of the most ancient human civilizations. Such practices as hunting down long stolen artifacts and negotiating the return of pieces in museums for years are examples of the ambitious conservation projects undertaken by the Ministry of Culture.
Egyptology itself has come a long way from its beginnings, now a recognized course of study, usually at the graduate level, in most universities that have a well defined Archaeology of Near East studies department. However, the field is far from unified and there are many open problems concerning Ancient Egypt. Egyptian Archaeology is in a state of constant transition, with much of the terminology and chronology in dispute. The archaeological 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.
Footnotes
- ↑ "Ancient Egypt". Ask.com http://www.answers.com/topic/ancient-egypt 1 Dec. 2006
- ↑ Knox, Bernard Ed. "The Norton Book of Classical Literature". New York: Norton, 1993
- ↑ 2001-2006[http://www.egyptologyonline.com/history1.htm
- ↑ 2001-2006[http://www.egyptologyonline.com/history1.htm
- ↑ Dunn, Jimmy. 1999-2005 "The Egyptologists" Intercity Oz, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2006
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, Tutankhamen 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 civilization
- Egyptology - Ancient Near East .net - a collection of links to online Egyptology resources
- Sussex Egyptology Society Online
- CNN.com: " Egyptologists launching online encyclopedia"
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
