At the Origin of Egyptian Civilization. Between Asia and Africa

From the 'Green Sahara' to the First Pyramid (5,500 – 2,600 BCE)

20 to 24 September 2021 (online)

Female Figure, ca. 3500-3400 B.C.E. Clay, pigment, 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (29.2 x 14 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.505. CC-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Outline

This 1-week online intensive course is taught by Paola Buzi, Professor of Egyptology and Coptic Studies at Sapienza Università di Roma and honorary professor at UHH’s Faculty of Humanities since 2017.

It introduces participants to the complex phenomena which determined the physical creation of Ancient Egypt, the so-called 'Birth of the State'. It describes Egypt before the pyramids and even before the pharaohs and illustrates how the change in climate impacted on the environment, giving the background to the establishment of the early centres in the, then divided, areas of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Moreover, it outlines the African and Asian prehistoric roots of the land, leading up to the Predynastic period, and explores the evidence for the first agricultural settlements until the founding of the primary period of Dynastic rule.

Important artefacts – such as the macehead of Narmer and his palette – and archaeological sites – Saqqara Abydos and Hierakonpolis – will be examined. Lastly, the formation of the early art, writing and architecture that established the beginnings of an empire will be studied.

The course is based on a combined use of traditional lessons and audio-visual materials.

It is open to students from all backgrounds and is taught in English. Please register using the form below.

Schedule

Monday, 20 September 2021
9.00-12.00 am	Egypt, 'a gift of the Nile': A geo-chronological introduction to the course.
2.00-5.00 pm	From the Green Sahara to the first settlements along the Nile Valley: When, where, and why?
Tuesday, 21 September 2021
9.00-12.00 am	Between Africa and Asia: The multiform inspiration of the early Egyptian art.
2.00-5.00 pm	Nabta Playa, the Egyptian Stonehenge.
Wednesday, 22 September 2021
9.00-12.00 am	Predynastic Egypt – The Cultures of Lower Egypt: Merimde, Maadi and Fayyum.
2.00-5.00 pm	Predynastic Egypt– The Cultures of Lower Egypt: Badari and Naqada.
Thursday, 23 September 2021
9.00-12.00 am	Dynasty zero, king Narmer, the unification of Egypt.
2.00-5.00 pm	Protodynastic Egypt: The kings of the first two dynasties and their monumental tombs.
Friday, 24 September 2021
9.00-12.00 am	The first examples of Egyptian writing: Pictography or ideography?
2.00-5.00 pm	Djoser, and the first (imperfect) pyramid.