Egyptology for Numpties!

Luxor is ancient Thebes and has a fascinating past. Share your knowledge or ask your questions here.

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Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by Subversion »

My early enthusiasm for Egypt was driven by an interest in the ancient - particularly the esoteric aspects - I duly went out and read Bauval et al but I have the retention skills of a wet teabag and the concentration span of a canary - and although I grasp the general concepts struggle with the detail.

Likewise I've read the threads here - but I feel I need to start at the beginning to build a knowledge bottom up as what I feel I know is all very disjointed and confused..

Is there a book or website that anyone can recommend that gives a solid chronological base knowledge of ancient Egyptology?

Egyptology for idiots that contains solid factual information!

thanks for any suggestions

S x


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Re: Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by Kevininabydos »

I lost most of my links which were on my old computer that got left behind in Egypt. But you could start with these. For basics like dynasties try: http://emhotep.net/

For the Amarna period (late 18th dynasty) you can't go wrong with: http://www.amarnatrust.com/newsletter.shtml

There is an Egyptology forum but if you would like to join it I will have to PM you the link, as it is against form rules to put it on the open forum.

A quick google search will bring you lots of links but beware of the "fringe" contingent! Wikipedia is also a good resource but be aware that anyone can put things on there so it is best to confirm the information with the sources which should be listed at the end of the piece. Happy hunting
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Re: Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by Kevininabydos »

Just found this link tucked away in a favorites file. Lots of rare and wonderful things! http://www.griffith.ox.ac.uk/gri/4daviest.html
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Re: Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by Bullet Magnet »

A friend of my eldest son came by the other day, seeing me all tanned, he said "Where have you been" ?

"Egypt, Luxor" I said...

"Oh !" he said, "I would love to go there and see all the Alien Artefacts and buildings"...

:cool:
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Re: Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by Lisak »

One of the first books I ever bought on Egyptology was
Exploring the World of the Pharaohs. A complete guide to Ancient Egypt.
Christine Hobson
Thames and Hudson
ISBN 0500275602

I quite often refer to this book still, it contains a wealth of information, without being too wordy or highbrow, and it had lots of pictures (always a bonus!)

I think I borrowed it from the local library first so maybe pop along to yours and see if it covers all you require.
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Re: Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by DIANA »

I'm halfway through John Romer's new book A History of Ancient Egypt From the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid. From what I have read so far it's as good a view of the beginnings of civilization in what we know as Egypt that can be read.
He writes in as lively and absorbing a style as he lectures, and his ideas will appeal to the amateur as well as the Egyptologist. It's the first of two volumes, apparently, and I am looking forward to the publication of the second.
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Re: Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by Subversion »

Thank you everybody! for taking the time out to help.

I do like the Emhotep site - I'm going to sit with a cuppa and have a pour over that!

And Kevin if you do have a moment pls do email/PM me the forum link

As for Alien life - yeah I'll buy into that one.

I actually have that book Lisa - its always difficult to know what is valid and well regarded and not I'll re-read that ! I got so frustrated with reading up on things before I took a trip to Egypt so I had a bit of advance knowledge only to get there and find a completely different story!

I'm going to google John Romer - not a name I know!

I do wonder if there is scope to "catalogue " this section by period/deity - there is a lot of very good info in this section that people have taken great trouble over...

Sx
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Re: Egyptology for Numpties!

Post by marvin-carrie »

John Romer Info

short notice I know for 12/05/12

http://www.egyptology-uk.com/bloomsbury/study_days.htm
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