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Wednesday 29 May 2019

Round Table "Egyptian Archaeology and Epigraphy at the Beginning of the 21st Century"

 
On May 29th, the first meeting of the round table "Egyptian Archaeology and Epigraphy at the Beginning of the 21st Century" was held at the Institute of Oriental Studies. The event was organized by the Department of Oriental History of the Institute with the Department of the Ancient World of the Historical Faculty of the Moscow State University. Dr. Massimiliano Nuzzolo, a researcher of the Czech Institute, delivered two lectures.

Sunset temple of Niuserre in Abu Hurrobe: new discoveries

The first lecture was devoted to the latest results of the Italian archaeological expedition work in the solar temple of Tsar Niuserr in Abu Gurbo near modern-day Cairo. The Solar temples were unusual structures that appeared in the era of the 5th ancient Egyptian dynasty (25-24 centuries BC). And the temple of Niuserre was the most preserved of them. Massimiliano Nuzzolo spoke of how modern methods of research used by his expert team made it possible to understand better this monument and find out its history. In particular, the following issued were discussed: the possibilities of using photogrammetry, laser scanning, and 3D modeling at archaeological sites.

Uncovering the secrets of the royal annals: new technologies in Egyptian epigraphy

The second lecture demonstrated how modern digital technologies made it possible to refine the reading of well-known epigraphic monuments. The rapid development of digital technologies provided contemporary historians with new research tools. The new exploring instruments helped greatly to study the ancient written sources. The reporter showed that modern methods of image processing and microscopy techniques made it possible to see previously unseen and re-open to science well-known and long-awaited monuments, on the example of the Palermo stone and other fragments of the ancient Egyptian royal annals. In particular, the report was on application prospects of Egyptian epigraph using RTI technology (ReflectanceTransformationImaging).

The round table purpose was to stimulate a discussion on the possibilities of applying modern research methods to ancient Egyptian monuments and on the prospects of Egyptian archaeology development in the 21st century, taking into account the challenges in front. Colleagues who are interested in this topic may get additional information about the project at SNS. Department of East History Lebedev M.А. (maximlebedev@mail.ru).