June 6, 2022 – Restoration Work at the Temple of Esna

Very often, ancient Egyptian reliefs have little or none of their original paint left on them when found. However, restoration work being done by an Egyptian and German team at the temple of Esna is revealing some truly beautiful painted reliefs the have long been covered with dirt and bird droppings. You can see these beautiful reliefs here.

April 14, 2022 – In Memorium

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of long-time ARCE NY Board member David Moyer. He was a scholar and aficionado of both L. Frank Baum (the author of the Oz books) and Egypt. David travelled to Egypt many times and delivered so many wonderful talks using his dual slide projectors, with many of those talks focusing on either the Amarna Period or the intersection of his interest in Baum and Egypt. One memorable talk that he gave involved showing photos of Egypt taken by Baum on one screen and photos of the same place taken by David himself on the other screen.

David retired from our Board of Directors a few weeks ago. To commemorate his many contributions, the Board created a new position of Honorary Director and David was designated as the first person to be given this title.

David made many more contributions to Egyptology than just his work with ARCE. David wrote numerous articles and book reviews for “KMT, A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt” and his wonderful column “For the Record” has appeared in KMT almost since that journal’s inception. His last column was sent to KMT just a couple of days ago and will appear in the next issue.

David was a wonderful friend to so many of us; he always had smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. He was always happy to help anyone who needed it. We will miss him deeply.

April 11, 2022 – The New Issue of Scribe Magazine

The latest issue of Scribe magazine (ARCEs members only quarterly journal) celebrates the 100th anniversary o the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. “Tutankhamen: the Oxford Archive” details the special exhibition of Howard Carters notes and Harry Burton’s photos which the University of Oxford is doing from April 2022 until February 2023. Another article details the preservation work being done in Tutankhamen’s tomb and the story of the non-preservation of the doorway between the tomb’s antechamber and the burial chamber is told by Lyla Pinch-Brock in her article “The Hidden Doorway”. Nozomu Kawai reconstructs the history of Tutankhamen’s reign in an article that comes to some very interesting, and different conclusions about the boy king’s life. A number of short articles highlight the preservation work ARCE is involved in and the issue has the usual large number of beautiful, and interesting, photographs.

March 31, 2022 – The Exodus: An Egyptian Story Egyptologists Don’t Tell

Peter Feinman will deliver a a talk on this subject on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 30 West 68th St., NY., NY. 10023.

Sponsored by the Woman’s Organization of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue.

What archeological evidence is there for the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt? Ahead of Passover, join renowned archaeologist Peter Feinman for an in-depth look at the Exodus from an archaeologist’s point of view.

This is a hybrid in-person and virtual event. Registration is required to attend either in person or online.

Peter Feinman is the founder and president of the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Education, a nonprofit organization providing enrichment programs for schools, professional development program for teachers, and public programs. He received his bachelor’s in history from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in education from New York University, an MBA from New York University, and a doctorate from Columbia University. His interests cross disciplinary boundaries including American history, ancient civilizations, and both biblical and New York history.

November 7, 2021 – Blocks from a Temple of Nectanebo I Found at Heliopolis

The blocks were found by an Egyptian and German team in what was once a temple of Nectanebo I, who was one of the last native Egyptian pharaohs. The blocks mention regnal years thirteen and fourteen of this king, who is thought to have reigned for eighteen years (according to Africanus’ version of Manetho. Nectanbeo is the Greek form of the name Nekhtenebef who is best known as the builder of a large portion of the temple of Philae. More information on this discovery can be found here and here.

October 31, 2021 – Tomb of a Treasurer of Ramesses II Found at Saqqara

A team from Cairo University has found the tomb of Ptah-em-wia, a treasurer for Ramesses II. For more details, click here.

August 1, 2021 – The Opera “Akhenaten” at the Metropolitan Opera in 2022

The Metropolitan Opera will perform the opera “Akhenaten” in late May and early June of 2022.

December 12, 2020 – Save Ancient Studies

Save Ancient Studies in America (SASA) is a non-profit organization that
was founded in early 2020 as a reaction to the devaluation of the study of
the ancient world in universities and high schools. Our director, David
Danzig, and a group of 30 graduate students and early career scholars from
leading universities around the world came together to build a platform to
increase exposure, inspire engagement, and provide access to the study of
the ancient world.

As part of SASA’s research project on the Downward Trend in Ancient
Studies, we are working on understanding what draws people into Ancient
Studies. Please spend 5 minutes to take this survey and help us work toward
saving Ancient Studies. The results of this survey will help us analyze the
variety of paths into our fields and to thereby better target SASA’s
strategies for engaging young adults in the ancient world and attracting
new students.

Survey link: >>>>>  https://www.saveancientstudies.org/survey  <<<<<

November 17, 2020 – ARCE Antiquities Endowment Fund Grant Applications Being Accepted

ARCE is now accepting applications for grants from their Antiquities Endowment Fund. Grants are awarded for projects that support the conservation, preservation and documentation of Egypt’s cultural heritage and the dissemination of knowledge about that heritage. For more information click here.

November 5, 2020 – USAID ACTING ADMINISTRATOR JOHN BARSA TOURS OLD CAIRO AND BASATIN CEMETERY 

On October 6, USAID Acting Administrator John Barsa along with US Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt Jonathan Cohen, Deputy Assistant to the President Sarah Makin- Acciani, and USAID- Egypt Mission Director Leslie Reed visited Old Cairo’s Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As with ARCE’s Executive Director Louise Bertini and Director of Cultural Heritage Projects Nicholas Warner. From 2000-2006, ARCE conducted archaeological monitoring, documentation, and recording as part of a USAID funded ground water lowering project in Old Cairo. Read more on this project, here. 

October 25, 2020 – The Inventor of the Xbox Bakes Ancient Egyptian Bread

The inventor of the Xbox recently found himself stuck in the house on a weekend and decided to try baking a loaf of sourdough bread using ancient Egyptian ingredients. You can read a full article about this attempt here.

OCTOBER 22, 2020 – ARCE now Accepting Proposals to Present at the 2021 Annual Meeting

ARCE members can apply now to present a  paper at ARCE 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting which will take place from April 23-25, 2021.  ARCE’s Annual Meeting brings together hundreds of Scholars who present on Egyptian history and heritage, recent fieldwork, technological advances, and much more.

Submissions must be received through ARCE’s All Academic site by January 8, 2021. Please review our updated submission guidelines and complete your entry: HERE!

October 20, 2020 – Opening a Newly Discovered Coffin

The first of the newly discovered coffins found at Sakkara has been opened. The coffins date to the 26th dynasty. An article with more information can be found here.

October 2, 2020 – New Discovery at Sakkara

A bronze statue of the god Nefertum dating to the 26th Dynasty has been found at Sakkara, along with a number of intact coffins that also date to the 26th Dynasty. The statue of Nefertum is inlaid with lapis lazuli, re agate and turquoise. Click here for more information and some photos of the statue. Also, you can click here for more photos.

September 13, 2020 – To Readers of Kmt: A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt

As you may know, the fall issue of the Journal (31:3) in which the Editor’s Report described the current financial situation of Kmt and indicated that barring significant financial underwriting — this might be the next to last issue with little or no hope for winter.  Due to the pandemic and worldwide lockdown, there was little or no distribution to outlets abroad or in the U.S. for the spring, summer and fall issues (the print run for fall in fact was shortened, but no less costly).  Almost certainly, costs will keep rising, including printing and postal service.  The Editor and publisher reached out to the Journal’s Editorial Advisory Board and other individuals for suggestions and ideas of which there have been many, including a digital edition, which would be too costly and not practical.

However, there has recently been a bit of good news. Financial underwriting has been offered for the publication of the winter 2020/21 issue, which will complete 31 years of Kmt.   After that (unless the proverbial knight in shining armor materializes) it has been planned to suspend publication until after the pandemic and economic crises are behind us with current subscriptions remaining viable then.

From the Petrie Museum Unofficial page on Facebook:

This is very bad news. One of the best Egyptology magazines in existence is in difficulties.
KMT Magazine has been bringing the best information about Ancient Egypt for 30 years.  First rate, in-depth, articles from the best Egyptologists who know what’s what. Current research, latest discoveries, and you know it doesn’t make it to KMT without serious scholarship. In the latest issue. 

Michael Forbes brings the sad news, that there may be only one more issue, before they are forced to close.  Readers who bought off the shelf have not been able to access copies but we are told that they haven’t switched to subscriptions. The pandemic isn’t ending any time soon, if you want to see KMT survive you need to take out a subscription.  Carl and Dennis have not taken wages for the last few issues.  Please, if you were a reader, change to subscription.  If you are not, you will not be disappointed in the value for money.  Subscribe to KMT Magazine www.kmtjournal.com

September 7, 2020 – Large Coffin Cache Found at Sakkara

A cache of eleven sealed coffins has been found at the bottom of a deep shaft at Sakkara. Click here to read an article on the discovery and click here to see a short video.

August 28, 2020 – Baking Ancient Egyptian Bread

Ever wonder how to bake ancient Egyptian bread? Take a look at this article for a recipe as well as some information on Old and New Kingdom tomb paintings showing the baking process.

July 5, 2020 – ARCE IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

We love to share when ARCE makes the news! Elizabeth Bolman, ARCE’s past director for the Red Monastery conservation project in Sohag, Egypt, authored a piece for the Wall Street Journal about the incredible early Coptic monument and the efforts of ARCE and USAID to preserve it. 

To read the article, click here.

May 31, 2020 – ARCE Announces Podcast Series

ARCE has announced an upcoming series of podcasts on topics such as: mummification, Kingship, Tutankhamen, “Exodus and Egypt: Myths, History and Archaeology”, recent books and research and “Scribe: Behind the Scenes’. The national chapter of ARCE is encouraging all to submit ideas for other podcasts.

May 11, 2020 – An Egyptian Funeral Home Found at Sakkara

Archaeologists have found the remains of a “one stop shopping” embalming house at Sakkara. Apparently different funeral plans were offered depending on what the customer could afford. The site was originally found in 2018, but recent excavations have given a great deal of new insight into the funeral business in Egypt. You can get more information here.

April 4, 2020 – ARCE Virtual Tour of the Tomb of Menna

Since traveling to Egypt is so difficult now due to the Coronavirus, ARCE has initiated a series of virtual tours of different sites in Egypt. The first is a tour of the tomb of Menna on the West Bank at Thebes. This beautiful tomb can now be seen in close up detail from the comfort of your home by clicking this link.

March 21, 2020 – ARCE Planning for a Virtual Annual Meeting

ARCE is planning a virtual annual meeting after canceling their usual annual gathering. Full details will be announced as soon as possible on our organization’s main website at ARCE.ORG.

March 17, 2020 – Itinerary of ARCE’s Annual Members Trip to Egypt Announced

ARCE’s annual members trip to Egypt will take place from November 5, 2020 to November 22. The itinerary for the trip can be seen here. All the major sites (Sakkara, Giza, Abu Simbel, Luxor, etc.) will be visited along with some other sites that other tours do not visit. There is also a Nile cruise included.

March 12, 2020 – ARCE Canceling Several Events

ARCE has canceled its annual meeting scheduled for Toronto on April 3 – 5. The New York chapter of ARCE as canceled two lectures that were scheduled for April.

Nefertiti in Tut’s Tomb – Here we go Again

A new radar survey of Tutankhamen’s tomb has revived the question of whether or not there are hidden chambers / corridors that may lead to Nefertiti’s tomb. The survey was conducted by archaeologist Mamdouh Eldamaty. The results of the survey were reportedly delivered to Supreme Council of Antiquities earlier this month.

Tours to Egypt

If you are interested in taking a trip ti Egypt here are two possibilities:

ARCE will be offering a members only tour to Egypt from November 5 through November 22, 2020. For full details email ratol@arce.org or call 705-721-3470.

Globus is a large tour operator that is offering some lower cost tours to Egypt this coming Fall. ARCE is not endorsing these tours, but we are offering this information to our members in case they are interested. Please click here for more information.

Scientests Give a Voice to an Egyptian Mummy

Scientists have re-created the voice of an ancient Egyptian priest by running his mummy through a computerized tomography device. You can get more information here and also here.

Brazilian Team Makes Discoveries in Thebes

A Brazilian archaeological team has made some interesting discoveries in Thebam Tomb 123, including some ushabtis and an unusual “well” in a private tomb.

Tutankhamen Comes to Boston

One hundred and fifty artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamen will be on display in Boston starting on June 13, 2020. You can order tickets (on a lottery basis) here. You can also find out a little more about the exhibit here.

Registration for ARCE’s Annual Meeting is Now Open

Online registration for ARCE’s 2020 Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada is open! If you are registering as a student, click here. For general registration, click here. 

Attendees can also enjoy a special rate at the event venue, The Hilton Toronto. For more information, click here. 

Ka Statue of Ramesses II Found at Mit Rahina

An almost unique bust of Ramesses II has been found at Mit Rahina. The bust shows ramesses with a Ka sign atop his head. The only other know object is the wooden statue of King Hor (Dynasty 13). You can get more information (including pictures) here.

Twenty-Sixth Dynasty Artifacts Found at Saqqara

The Ministry of Antiquities has announced a large find of Twnty-Sixth Dynasty artifacts during excavations carried out by an Egyptian archaeological mission led by Dr.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The excavations found many wood and stone statues as well as a number of animal mummies, some of which may be lion cubs. For more information click here.

Call for Papers for ARCE’s 2020 Annual Meeting!

ARCE members can apply now to present a paper or poster at our Annual Meeting, which will take place from April 3-5, 2020, in Toronto, Canada. Send us your submission today!

Antiquities Endowment Fund 2019-2020 Call

ARCE is now accepting applications for its Antiquities Endowment Fund. Three-year grants are available in addition to the standard one-year grant schemes. 

Ancient Nubia Now

The Museum of Fine Arts (Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115) has a new exhibit open entitled “Ancient Nubia Now”.

It will run from October 13, 2019 until January 20, 2020
A press report can be found here.

Penn Museum to open their Sphinx Gallery

The new gallery will open on November 16, 2019
“Our Main Entrance will be completely transformed as we open up staircases and windows that have been sealed for decades, and create a new, adjacent gallery space —with our 25,000-pound sphinx of Ramses II at its heart—that will be visible as soon
as you set foot inside. (..)”

“The new Sphinx Gallery, created by removing and covering the 1915 stairs to the Harrison Auditorium, will also house objects from each curatorial section, regularly rotated displays of a single highlighted object in an elegant small circular space,
and a comfortable visitor seating and orientation area, as well as a new passenger elevator.” More…

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