Kingston Lacy – Dorset

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Janet Diamond

Yesterday, I had a lovely day – exploring the National Trust property of Kingston Lacy in Dorset.  It is a beautiful, family home, built to resemble an Italian Palace.

It was, of course, the Egyptian collection that I went to see.  We started our visit with the gardens and the obelisk.  It was lovely to see and admire, although the inscriptions on the base of the monument were not really visible which is a shame, as that is what I wanted to see – what Thomas Young saw when working on translating the code of hieroglyphics.

The Egyptian collection, whilst billed as ‘the largest private collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK’, was not as large as I had anticipated, and there was a lack of information, and what there was, was just black and white printed pages in a plastic folder.  I felt that was not up to the usual standard of the N. T and it let the display down somewhat as I couldn’t answer questions which came to mind, neither could the very helpful lady on duty in the room.

Never-the-less, it was an interesting collection with several stela with lovely fine reliefs on them. It was great to be able to peruse what was there, and I would recommend a visit.

Overall, the visit was great:  the grounds are lovely, and inside the house I was enchanted – there is something different about the feel to this very elegant and interesting home – lots of grand windows with lots of grand vistas. The collection of art, furnishings and artefacts was beautiful and fascinating.

Egyptian_-_Woman_Kneeling_Before_an_Offering_Table_-_Walters_322We returned home having had a really enjoyable day, to tuck into a supper with friends – good food, wine and conversation –
so all senses nicely satisfied.
A good time was had by all.

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Theban Temples – Dr. Aidan Dodson, Bristol University

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Janet Diamond

I had really been looking forward to this lecture:  The Kemet Klub – (for further information contact Alison on: ali.dave@blueyonder.co.uk)  had booked Dr. Aidan Dodson of Bristol University for a day workshop, on the subject of the Theban Temples.

Aidan started the lecture on the east bank and covered Karnak and Luxor temples, including the smaller temples within the complexes.

He then discussed Deir el-Bahari and the many temples running along the edge of cultivation strip on the west bank.

As expected, Aidan’s talk was professional, very well delivered and illustrated with excellent photos and maps – and as always, there was more to learn and I did!

The day was well organised and managed – and the cakes were delicious!  Clearly, all needs were more the adequately met!

Thanks Ali, Josie and Aidan

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Saqqara – Egypt’s Most Important Ancient Necropolis – With Lucia Gahlin, UCL

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Janet Diamond

This six-session course arranged by The Kemet Klub – (for further information contact Alison on: ali.dave@blueyonder.co.uk or via The Egypt Society of Bristol), promised an in-depth exploration of one of Egypt’s most significant ancient sites – Saqqara, the necropolis of Egypt’s ancient capital Memphis.

It also covers the tombs of pharaohs and nobles from the Early Dynastic Period through to the Ptolemaic Period, including Djoser’s Step Pyramid complex; the 5th dynasty pyramid of Unas; some of the ‘temple tombs’ of the New Kingdom, General Horemheb; and the Apis bull burials of the Serapeum.

So far, I have attended two of the six sessions, and have not been disappointed.  The course is proving to be as interesting and informative as I would expect from Lucia.

Thanks Lucia – I am really looking forward to the next four meetings.

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From General to Pharaoh: Horemheb, Tutankhanun’s Chosen Heir – By Lucia Gahlin, UCL

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Janet Diamond

Having attended previous courses run by Lucia, I had really been looking forward to this one; held at Dillington House, in Somerset.

I enjoyed the day enormously.  I thought I knew quite a bit about Horemheb, but there is always more to learn and Lucia didn’t disappoint.

As always, Lucia imparted her considerable knowledge with her usual ease and skill and I feel all the better informed for having had such a great day.

In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I have already signed up for another of her lectures at Dillington House in May: Boats, Chariots and donkeys: Getting about in Ancient Egypt!

I think that is going to be another great day, which again, I am looking forward to!

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Thebes Under the Kushites – Dr. Robert Morkot, Exeter University

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Janet Diamond

Dr Robert Morkot is a regular speaker at the Egyptian Society Taunton, and this time he came to talk on Thebes under the Kushite rulers.

This lecture was focused on the monuments they built in Egypt, and in particular that at the Temple of Amun at Thebes.  The Kushite, for reasons of their own  followed the traditions, practices and gods of ancient Egypt, and their greatest monument is to be found at Thebes.

Robert took us through what they built, which  Kushite king built it and where – and there was a lot!

This is a period in the history that I find very interesting and am in they process of writing my own talk about the Kushite Kings:  although they were not native Egyptians, there had always been close and complex links between Egypt and the Nubians of Kush (approximately where modern Sudan is today).  Their conquest of Egypt was c. 728 BC.  They came, they conquered – establishing the 25th Dynasty – c. 728 – 657 BC.  They respected and worshiped Egyptian gods and religion, they built monuments at Thebes and elsewhere – and then they disappeared from Egyptian rule!

But why?  Why did they come?  Why did the show such respect for ancient Egyptian gods and beliefs?  And why did the go?  To find out more, do contact me.

And in the meantime, the Egyptian Society Taunton, have enjoyed another of Roberts most informative talks.

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Sounds Familiar: Kinships and Social Relations in the First Intermediate Period – Leire Olabarria, Oxford

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Janet Diamond

Leire Olabarria – spoke at the Egyptian Society at Bristol University on kinship and social relationship during the First Intermediate Period.  Leira displayed hieroglyphics, symbols and records of relationships during this time in ancient Egypt, from which today’s Egyptologists build their knowledge of the period.  Discussing the evidence, she explained how challenging it could be tracking family trees, and the difficulties in interpreting the records.

It was a very specific lecture, and was one that was an entirely new issue to me, which gave much food for thought.

I am really looking forward to attending the forthcoming meeting on 24 March 2015 when the talk is to be: ‘West Theban Pioneers: Belzoni, Wilkinson and Rhind’.  

This is a fascinating subject and Dr Aidan Dodson will be giving the lecture.  I heard him give this talk some time ago (see my earlier Blog) but it is worth hearing it again and is guaranteed to be a great meeting.

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‘Wonderful Things!’ Tutankhamun’s Tomb and Treasures – with Lucia Gahlin, UCL

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Janet Diamond

Another wonderful course at Dillington House hearing about Howard Carter, his famous discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the ‘Wonderful Things’ found therein.

As always with Lucia, it was a great lecture – enjoyable and informative.  I did already know about the discovery of this tomb (see my own presentations) nevertheless, I learned more and was entertained and absorbed for the entire lecture – it was a jewel, a golden treasure trove of exploration and discovery – a wonderful thing!

I shall definitely sign up for Lucia’s next course at Dillington House!

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Amarna Sunset/Sunrise – Dr. Aidan Dodson, Bristol University

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Janet Diamond

We were lucky to again have Dr Aidan Dodson to talk to the Egyptian Society Taunton – the lecture being held in conjunction with the 2014  Taunton Literary Festival – staged by Brendon Books.

The talk was on one of my favourite subjects – Akhenaten and the Amarna Period.  It was fabulous – very interesting and informative, as one would expect of Aidan and the subject.

Please come again Aidan!

But in the meantime, as Aidan is a great speaker, and I have signed up for his day school lecture on Theban Temples – to be held in Bristol on Saturday 28th February.

I am looking forward to it …. watch this space.

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Ancient Lives: New Discoveries – The British Museum – again!

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Janet Diamond

I enjoyed this exhibition at the British Museum  so much when I visited it in the spring, that I went with a friend to see it again  (see my blog of 22 May 2014)

She enjoyed it too, and was as impressed as I was  – on both visits.

We made the most of the day by also going to see the Poppy Fields at the Tower of London. Wow!  It really is spectacular – so much more impressive and dramatic than when seen on TV.  What a wonderful concept – and a real ‘must-see’.

Another lovely day – full of many delights and thought provoking exhibitions

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‘Write On, Literacy in Ancient Egypt’ – Maximilliano Pianello – UCL

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Janet Diamond

hiero_Y3Maximilliano Pianello came to talk to the Egyptian Society Taunton on literacy in ancient Egypt.  It was a most interesting lecture on the role, status, work and standing of the scribe in Egyptian society.

He then went on to look at who might and might not be literate in Ancient Egypt and just who might and might not be a scribe – thought to be only 1% if the population, including the king, High Priests and Nobles.

However, Maximilliano also speculated, that for various reasons, our understanding of the official propaganda of those who were scribes; those who could read and write; and the representations may not actually be true to the historical fact.

Seated Scribe - Saqqara 4th Dynasty, c. 2575 - 2450 BC

His theory was not what I expected and was very thought-provoking.
It challenged my perception and understanding of the role of the scribe.
It gave me reason to sit down with folded legs, get my out my pouch, unpack my wooden palette, grinding slates, circular mixing dishes, pigments and reed styli; unroll my papyrus, iron it with my smoothing stones and scribe this text for eternity to Thoth – the god of scribes.

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