Difference between revisions of "Egyptology" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Egyptology''' is the scientific study of [[Ancient Egypt]] and [[History of Egypt|Egypt]]ian 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]].
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'''Egyptology''' as an academic discipline did not fully emerge until the 19th century with the translation of the [[Rosetta Stone]]. Yet interest, both ametur 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]].Recntly, as academics and the Egyptian government have asserted the importance of preservations and full understanding of Egyptian heritage.  
  
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==Introduction==
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==Defintion==
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Egyptology investigates the range of Ancient Egyptian culture/s ([[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. 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 [[Egyptian hieroglyphs|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 Egypt]]ian 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.
 
  
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==Problems and mysteries==
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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/s ([[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 Egpytian civilization, at one or more of the centeral Egyptology centers in the world:
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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.  
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==A Brief Over-view of Ancient Egyptian Civilization==
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[[Ancient Egypt]] appeared as a unified state no earlier than 3300 B.C.E. It survived as an independent state until about 300 B.C.E. Archeological evidence suggests that a developed Egyptian society may have existed for much longer.Many [[Egyptian temple]]s 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. 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.[[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.
  
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===Origins===
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==Antiquity Interest in Egypt==
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[[Ancient Egypt]] appeared as a unified state no earlier than 3300 B.C.E. It survived as an independent state until about 300 B.C.E. Archeological evidence suggests that a developed Egyptian society may have existed for much longer.
 
  
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===Temples and pyramids===
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==Beginnings of Modern Egyptology==
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Many [[Egyptian temple]]s 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.
 
  
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===Burial and tombs===
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==Contemporary and Future Issues in Egyptology==
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[[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.
 
  
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===Biblical===
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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.  
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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.
 
  
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===Technology===
 
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Certain artifacts and records do not fit with conventional technological development systems. There is a question as to the sophistication of [[ancient Egyptian technology]].
 
  
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====External links and other publications====
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==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  

Revision as of 15:51, 1 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 ametur 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.Recntly, as academics and the Egyptian government have asserted the importance of preservations and full understanding of Egyptian heritage.

Defintion

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/s (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 Egpytian civilization, at one or more of the centeral Egyptology centers in the world:

A Brief Over-view of Ancient Egyptian Civilization

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

Antiquity Interest in Egypt

Beginnings of Modern Egyptology

Contemporary and Future Issues in Egyptology

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.


External links and other publications


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