The first time I came to Egypt, and Zamalek, I was 12 years old. It made a lasting impression on me, leading me to study Egyptology. But the first time I really saw the country was when I was a student of 20 years old, back in 2008. At that time I was doing my…
Dealing with grief
It was a hot day for a funeral. The local cemetery was basking in sunlight. The family was sat inside, socially distanced, with the open coffin in front. A grandchild stood up to speak, “Goddamn it, grandma,” began the speech. I was not a part of this. It was not my family. I sat outside…
Egyptologists’ Notebooks
Egyptologists’ Notebooks (2020) Chris Naunton Thames & Hudson 264 pages, 242 ill. ISBN: 9780500295298 Publisher link To be fair, the reason I wanted to review this book was simply to have it in my possession. It being a gorgeous bound and embossed volume with matte paper that beautifully brings out the 242 sketches, maps, plans,…
Digging up the past in films
I’ve been meaning to write another blog for a while now, but my past year has been an incredible mess. As you may know my mother died very suddenly short of a year ago, just as I was starting my PhD in Mainz between two waves of the pandemic. When I gained the courage to…