2008

June 21, 2008 – Worthing
An Amarna Study Day with Professor Barry Kemp
Chairman of the Trustees of the Amarna Project and Amarna Trust
In a series of four lectures, Professor Kemp focused on the factors governing the life of the people in the city — their accommodation and relationship with their patrons, the involvement of many in small-scale industry, their local spiritual concerns and their state of health. Thus Amarna was used as a means of exploring what life was like in 14th Century BC Egypt with the hope that people could, to some extent, relate this to their own experiences of being human and alive!

See news item (click here)...

2007

March 10 - Worthing
Lucia Gahlin: "Wonderful Things" - the treasures of Tutankhamun
Four lectures; 9.45am - 4pm

A day devoted to a subject of perennial fascination to Egyptology enthusiasts, whether veteran or newcomer!

Talk 1: The Historical Context: the life and times of Tutankhamun.
Talk 2: Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
Talk 3: Discovery of the tomb in 1922 and the range of material available for exploration.
Talk 4: The Treasures of Tutankhamun.

The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922 was arguably the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th Century. The name of this boy-king conjures up wonderful imagery and mysterious tales of the pharaohs. This study day will explore the life and death of one of history's best-known characters, made famous by the contents of his tomb. We examined the archaeological record and textual evidence in order to gain an insight into his parentage, childhood, and the highs and lows of his reign; possible causes, and aftermath, of his death; and the design, decoration and early robberies of his tomb. We also explored the circumstances of the discovery of his tomb, the infamous "Curse", and what happened to the incredible wealth of funerary goods found in his tomb. Finally, a survey these fabulous treasures, from his golden shrines to his games and musical instruments.

2006

August 6 - Worthing: SES 10th Anniversary Party
A special SES 10th Anniversary Party was held at The Pavilion, Field Place, Worthing, on the afternoon of Sunday August 6, 2006, in the presence of some of the Egyptologsits who have visited Sussex to lecture to us over the years.

November 25 - Horsham
Joyce Filer: Silent Witnesses - "What human remains can
still tell us about Ancient Egyptian society"
Four lectures; 9.45am - 4pm

The day examined the remains of people from ancient Egypt and Nubia through a series of talks initiated by questions:

Talk 1: Ancient Egyptian Mummification: what's it all about?
Talk 2: Excavating the Evidence: how are human and animal remains retrieved?
Talk 3: Examining the Evidence: what do the ancient Egyptian dead tell us?
Talk 4: Mad About Mummies: what is the fascination?

Areas covered included data that can be extracted both from Mummies and from skeletal remains; differing burial environments, good and bad excavation practices; basic forensic techniques used in studying biological remains; various attitudes towards mummies, including strange and spectacular case studies.