Images of the Rekhyt from Ancient Egypt
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AE 38 cover.qxd 6/9/06 1:40 pm Page 1 AEPrelim36.qxd 13/02/1950 19:25 Page 2 AEPrelim38.qxd 13/02/1950 19:25 Page 3 CONTENTS features ANCIENT EGYPT www.ancientegyptmagazine.com October/November 2006 From our Egypt Correspondent VOLUME 7, NO 2: ISSUE NO. 38 9 Ayman Wahby Taher with the latest news from Egypt and details of a new museum at Saqqara. EDITOR: Robert B. Partridge, 6 Branden Drive Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8EJ, UK Friends of Nekhen News Tel. 01565 754450 Renée Friedman looks at the presence of Nubians Email [email protected] 19 in the city at Hierakonpolis, and their lives there, as revealed in the finds from their tombs. ASSISTANT EDITOR: Peter Phillips The New Tomb CONSULTANT EDITOR: Professor Rosalie David, OBE in the Valley of the Kings EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: 26 The fourth update on the recent discovery and the final clearance of the small chamber. Victor Blunden, Peter Robinson, Hilary Wilson EGYPT CORRESPONDENT ANOTHER new tomb in the Valley Ayman Wahby Taher of the Kings? 31 Nicholas Reeves reveals the latest news on the PUBLISHED BY: possibility of another tomb in the Royal Valley. Empire Publications, 1 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 1HW, UK Royal Mummies on view in the Tel: 0161 872 3319 Egyptian Museum Fax: 0161 872 4721 35 A brief report on the opening of the second mummy room in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER: Michael Massey Tel. 0161 928 2997 The Ancient Stones Speak Pam Scott, in the first of three major articles, gives a SUBSCRIPTIONS: 36 practical guide to enable AE readers to read and understand the ancient texts written on temple and Mike Hubbard tomb walls, statues and stelae. PRINTED BY: Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, The Rekhyt Bird Manor Lane, BOURNE, Lincolnshire, Kenneth Griffin explains how the many representa- 45 tions of the lapwing are much more than a simple PE10 9PH, UK image of a bird; they have a more significant meaning. DESIGN AND SETTING: Peartree Publishing and Design, Per Mesut: for younger readers 56 Albert St, Manchester M11 3SU, UK 54 In this edition, Hilary Wilson looks at pomegranates. FRONT COVER DESIGNED BY: David Soper Main image: Face of a coffin from tomb KV63. Photo: courtesy of the University of Memphis Mission. regulars TRADE DISTRIBUTION THROUGH: Diamond Magazine Distribution Ltd. From the Editor 4 Subscribe 56 Rye Wharf Road, Harbour Road, Maps of Egypt 4, 5 Back Issues 57 Rye, East Sussex TN31 7TE, UK Timeline 5 Book Reviews 58 Tel: 01797 225229 Bits and Pieces 6 Egyptology Society Details 62 Fax: 01797 225657 Readers’ Letters 52 Events Diary 64 Subscribers’ Competition Winners 55 Netfishing 67 ISSN: 1470 9990 ANCIENT EGYPT October/November 2006 3 AEPrelim38.qxd 13/02/1950 19:25 Page 4 From the EDITOR y schedule of articles for inclusion in AE was duced some remarkable discoveries, so we wish all the completely disrupted this year by the discovery expeditions well for another productive season. Mof a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings, tomb Whilst foreign missions only work in Egypt for rela- KV63. tively short periods, the work of the Egyptian Supreme I am not really complaining, for I was as fascianated as Council of Antiquities is an all-year-round operation and anyone to find out what the contents of this tomb might often the opportunity is taken in the quiet season, when be. Thanks to the splendid cooperation of members of tourists are limited, to carry out much routine mainte- the University of Memphis Team and with images sup- nance and inspection of the sites. It is always fascinating plied by them and the Egyptian Supreme Council of when returning to Egypt to spot the many changes and Antiquities, I have been especially pleased to have been improvements being made. able to include a total of four articles in consecutive edi- You will have all read about the huge amount of civil tions, telling readers of the progress of the excavation. engineering and archaeological work being undertaken The fourth and final account of the discovery and in the centre of Luxor and around the temples of Luxor clearance of the tomb is included in this edition, and I and Karnak. Most of the work is due to be completed by am surprised to find that this means we have devoted a the start of the tourist season. I am looking forward to total of twenty-five pages to the discovery, undoubtedly seeing what has been going on when I make my planned the best and fullest account of the find so far, and sec- visits at the end of this year. ond-best only to any official and more formal book pub- One of these visits will be our magazine trip to Cairo lished by the team (in the not too distant future we hope). in September (this issue had to be completed before the Work on the contents of the tomb will continue when trip, so I will bring you news of it in the December issue). the new season begins and if there are any new develop- If this trip goes well (and there is no reason to assume ments, I hope to be able to bring them to you. I am sure otherwise) we will consider other trips in the future, pos- you will have found the articles of interest. My main frus- sibly a week in Luxor. tration was the time delay in getting the latest news to Prices for trips to Egypt and to Luxor in particular you, which is always the problem with a bi-monthly pub- have been remarkably cheap this summer and I know a lication date. number of people who have taken advantage of this. For Almost literally as I was putting the finishing touches to those willing to put up with the building works in Luxor the last KV63 article came news of another possible and the very high temperatures, the rewards are great, previously unknown tomb in the Valley of the Kings. notably being able to visit the main sites without the Nicholas Reeves, Director of the Amarna Royal Tombs huge numbers of visitors there in the peak season. Project has written an article on the information avail- Tourist numbers have increased dramatically, although able at this stage. The prospects are exciting, but also, as on-going concerns about the political stability of coun- you will see from his article, challenging. The news has ries around Egypt may have influenced the decision of already caused some interest and debate and rather than some to travel at this time. It is, however, nice to see the make my own comments here, I will let you read both sites full of people, and if you happen to be there at a the KV63 article and the article by Nicholas Reeves first busy time you just need to bear in mind that most groups and add my comments and observations (for what they spend a surprisingly short time there, and it is quite easy are worth) after. No doubt AE readers will have their to find some peace and quiet at the larger sites. own views. RP I know some of you have noticed (and commented favourably upon) the fact that our “News from Egypt” Detailed Map of Thebes section has been spreading over an increasing number of pages in recent issues. I was squeezing Ayman’s reports into a fixed and lim- ited number of pages, and they really warranted more space. I have now decided that the quality and amount of information from Ayman deserves as much space as I can manage. The number of pages allocated is not now set in concrete and will vary depending on the amount of news and photos available. Most articles are not time-critical; I suppose it is one of the “joys” of being Editor that, having reached the stage when an issue is full, I often find out about new discov- eries and information. If it is clear that readers would want to share this news as soon as possible, some shuf- fling around of articles is inevitable. By the time this October issue lands on your doorstep, the excavation season in Egypt will be back in full swing, with the onset of the cooler weather. The last season pro- 4 ANCIENT EGYPT October/November 2006 AEPrelim38.qxd 13/02/1950 19:25 Page 5 MAP of EGYPT Time-line Periods Famous Pharaohs Dynasties Maps and Time-line by Peter Robinson. ANCIENT EGYPT October/November 2006 5 AEEgypt News 38.qxd 13/02/1950 19:25 Page 6 BITS and PIECES News and views from the world of Egyptology News of an award Professor Gaballa Ali Gaballa of the University of Cairo spoke on the work of Ahmed Fakhry, an Egyptian ongratulation to Professor Gaballa Ali Gaballa, archaeologist who pioneered research in the desert and who has just been awarded one of the highest was amongst the first to realise the importance of the Chonours in Egypt, the 2005 “State Prize for sites, as well as the problems they faced. Social Sciences”. This is awarded by the Higher Council Tony Mills and other members of the Dakhleh Oasis of the Supreme Council of Culture. Project covered their long-term work at the Oasis, and Professor other speakers covered communication between the Gaballa worked Oases and the Nile valley. for many years at It was clear from the presentations that, far from being the University of provincial backwaters, the Oases were an important Cairo and from part of Egypt; over the last few years, our knowledge of 1997 to 2002 was the area has increased dramatically.