BMCR 2008.11.09, Richard H. Wilkinson, Egyptology Today

Richard H. Wilkinson (ed.), Egyptology Today.  Cambridge:  Cambridge
University Press, 2008.  Pp. xiv, 283.  ISBN 978-0-521-68226-8.  $29.99
(pb).

Reviewed by L. R. Siddall, School of Oriental and African Studies, the
University of London ([email protected])
Word count:  1572 words
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Table of Contents
(http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip0717/2007018738.html)

This is a superb book. Wilkinson has brought together some of the
current leading Egyptologists to produce a single volume work that
introduces the reader to the methods and theories used in the study of
ancient Egypt. All aspects of Egyptology are covered from the Egyptian
language and medical research to the way archaeologists survey sites
and the conservation of artefacts. The book is organized thematically
into four parts (approaches, monuments, art and artifacts, and texts),
with each part comprising three chapters. Wonderfully illustrated, this
book will make excellent reading for students of the ancient world and
the interested public.

The volume opens and closes with succinct essays by the editor on the
past, current, and future status of Egyptological research. Wilkinson
introduces the reader to the reality of modern Egyptological practice
and research, pointing out that the latter part of the twentieth
century has seen the study of Egyptology benefit from broader methods
of scholarship taken from the arts and humanities, and the natural and
medical sciences. Egyptology is now very much an interdisciplinary
field.

The first part, "Methods: Paths to the Past," concerns the three main
approaches to the study of ancient Egypt: archaeology, history and
medical science. Kent R. Weeks' chapter "Archaeology and Egyptology"
treats the reader to a survey of the phases in archaeological thought
up to the contemporary use of technical and scientific investigations
in the study of material culture. Donald B. Redford's contribution,
"History and Egyptology" explores some of the practical and theoretical
problems the historical researcher of ancient Egypt encounters, such as
the provisional nature of their work. Because of the amount of
archaeological work being conducted an historical analysis can become
out of date within a matter of months. In addition to the practical
problems, Redford discusses some of the theoretical issues that
confront the modern Egyptologist, for instance the use of other
disciplines, terminology, the problems of oral tradition and the
relevance of the study of Egyptian history to the modern world.  The
last chapter of the first part is A. Rosalie David's "Medical Science
and Egyptology", which discusses the current scientific practices for
examining mummies.  David presents the challenges faced when balancing
the destructive process of investigating human remains against
preserving the finite data. Since autopsy is a particularly destructive
method with ethical implications, the study of Egyptian mummies has
moved towards less damaging forms of investigation, such as radiology
and endoscopy. For further tissue analysis, the University of
Manchester is now home to the International Ancient Egyptian Mummy
Tissue Bank, which provides small samples of tissue for forensic
examination.

The second part, "Monuments: Structures for This Life and the Next",
introduces the reader to methods of field archaeologists, with a focus
on the larger artifacts from Egypt. Sarah H. Parcak's chapter, "Site
Survey in Egyptology" introduces the methods of survey techniques
currently used in archaeology such as satellite and land survey.
Parcak frames the importance of site surveying in the light of the ever
expanding urban sprawl in modern Egypt and changing environmental
conditions. The chapter focuses on the particular methods of satellite
remote sensing and differential GPS surveys with specific reference to
their use at Tell el-Amarna and the Delta region. Peter F. Dorman's
contribution, "Epigraphy and Recording", discusses the major
developments in recording monumental inscriptions. Fundamental to
Dorman's approach is the idea that monumental inscriptions should not
be read simply as texts, but must be considered in their archaeological
context.  Dorman also outlines the various methods of epigraphy, both
old and new such as direct tracing, squeezes, photography, and the new,
but imperfect, role of computers. Michael Jones' chapter, "Monument and
Site Conservation", outlines the major dangers to site conservation and
the measures being taken to counter these threats. Jones outlines the
environmental hazards (both natural and manmade) with which
archaeologists have to contend.  In response archaeologists are making
efforts to extend the interest of Egypt's antiquity among its modern
population, as well as adapting their own methods.

The third part, "Art and Artifacts: Objects as Subject," follows the
theme of the second part, but focuses on the study of the smaller
artifacts from Egypt. Rita E. Freed's chapter, "Art of Ancient Egypt",
surveys the developments in Egyptian art from the Pre-Dynastic Period
through to the Third Intermediate Period. Each phase of Egyptian art is
discussed in light of the contemporary socio-political and religious
developments. Arielle P. Kozloff's contribution, "Ancient Egypt in
Museums Today", focuses on how museums present their Egyptian
antiquities collections. Kozloff discusses the major museums in Egypt,
Europe and North America, outlining some of the legal issues, and
current political problems associated with Egyptian antiquities.  She
devotes space to the new fashions in museum exhibitions, the importance
of presentation, and the didactic role that museums play as centers for
research and teaching. Susanna Gaensicke's chapter, "Artifact
Conservation and Egyptology", looks at the development of the methods
of conservation. Conservation has become far more assiduous, as
practitioners now favour less invasive techniques and 'reversible'
conservation.  Gaensicke also outlines how scientific analysis is used
to study artifacts, determine the best method of repair, and even
assess potential acquisitions.

The fourth part, "Texts: Words of Gods and Men," is concerned with the
cultural aspects of Egypt.  Here the reader is introduced to the
languages of ancient Egypt, Egyptian belle lettres and religious texts.
James P. Allen provides a basic overview of the Egyptian language. The
reader is treated to an outline of Egyptian philology, phonology,
lexicography, and grammar. An important aspect of this chapter is the
discussion of the language of the hieroglyphs in its linguistic context
with the Semitic, Hamitic, and, in particular, Coptic languages.

John L. Foster's and Ann L. Foster's chapter covers ancient Egypt's
literary production. The Fosters outline what has been recovered of the
literature from the Old to New Kingdoms. The writers also discuss the
stylistic and literary techniques used in Egyptian literature such as
verse and meter, symbolism and parallelism.  Finally, the Fosters
discuss how scholars draw together parallel fragments of literary texts
in order to reconstruct poorly preserved sections. Ronald J.
Leprohorn's chapter, "Egyptian Religious Texts," outlines the major
types of documents that reflect the official and local religious
beliefs in ancient Egypt. Leprohon divides the material into myths,
official cult, personal worship and funerary texts, and outlines the
functions, main themes, and conceptual gaps between the ancients and
modern readers.

There are a number of aspects of this book that will set it apart for
other introductions to ancient Egypt and the study of other ancient
civilizations.  One such feature is the recurring theme in a number of
chapters that attempts to link the practices of the modern researcher
to those of the ancient Egyptian, creating a sense of continuity in the
antiquarian interest of human society. Examples of this are Weeks'
brief history of archaeological interest in the Nile valley begins with
the New Kingdom priest, Khaemese, who attempted to preserve monuments
at Giza and Saqqara; and Jones' account of Tutankhamun's
conservationist attitude in the "restoration stela".

Another commendable feature of this book, which might come as a
surprise to many non-specialist readers, is the discussions of the
politics of Egyptology and academia. For example Weeks' insight into
how archaeologists chose a site and the methods of excavation in line
with current aims and objectives of the Supreme Council for
Antiquities. Another is Redford's discussion of anthropology's hegemony
over the arts and humanities at the committee level. Egyptology, like
many disciplines, now suffers from the increasing narrow attitude of
funding bodies, which prioritizes smaller scale research, and that this
outcome based climate has caused many problems for the study of regions
where data (archaeological and textual) are sporadic. It is perhaps
these sections of the book that will have the greatest relevance for
postgraduate and early career Egyptologists.

Each chapter also makes the reader well aware of the limitations of the
respective areas. It is important to understand what cannot be
determined from the evidence as it is to know what can be ascertained.
The various authors do the reader a service by pointing out the limits
of their methods and the gaps in current knowledge.

The only quibble the reviewer has is the relative lack of discussion of
some of the scholarly debates associated with the respective topics.
Indeed, the more contemporary socio-political debates, such as the
discussion about ownership of Egypt's antiquities (Kozloff) and the
problems arising from the local Egyptian population's disinterest with,
or reject of, antiquity (Jones), are presented. As an introduction to
Egyptology, with an emphasis on methodology, one can understand the
authors sparing the reader of some of the more advanced academic
disputes.  The bibliographies for each chapter provided at the end of
the book will fill this gap for those interested in a particular topic.
However, it would have been of benefit for readers to be made aware of
the existing academic debates and to see how the methodologies are put
into practice. For example, in the Fosters' chapter on literature, a
presentation of the views on whether Egyptian literature was intended
as propaganda would have been a useful follow up to Redford's
discussion of propaganda and admonition.

This is an extremely useful book.  The all-encompassing and balanced
approach means that it should be recommended reading for students of
all levels. The reviewer can only wish that such an introduction was
available when he undertook his studies in Egyptology.