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  Automatic translation of Ancient Egyptian   (25 Feb. 1999)

As you probably know, I am currently finishing a program to translate automatically ancient Egyptian texts. I'm posting this message for anyone who is interested in this line of research and would like to exchange views and information on the subject. Just send me an email and we'll surely both benefit from such an exchange.

  Carlos Galucci  (cgalucci@adinet.com.uy)

Dear Sir !   (3 March 1999)

It was nice to find your page. I'm 5th-year student of egyptology department in St-Peterburgh State University, Russia, this year I'm writing my diploma research and my point is Maat and everything concerning the concept please, if you ever had any research on the topic in your Institute, I would be pleased to have information from you. Thank you in advance.

Natalia Velikaja     (hakunamatata@goplay.com)

   Ancient Pyramid Texts  (19 March 1999)

Hello,

I heard something about some new discoveries in the Egyptian tombs, regarding some texts that explain history in their time. I don't claim to know any facts on this, but I am interested in any further information I can obtain on these texts, if they exist. Have you heard of any such texts or information on a recent discovery such as this? I like your website! Have a wonderful day!

    Joseph Gallagher    (josephg@macromedia.com)

Moderator's note - We haven't heard of any recent dramatic discovery such as the one you mention, and we would certainly have got to know about it, so to the best of our knowledge, important discoveries have been made in Giza about the workers who built the pyramids and how they lived, but no significant new texts. Perhaps you would like to join one of the many Email Lists on ancient Egypt that will keep you up-to-date. The ones perhaps more suitable would be:

Egyptologists' Electronic Forum

Lista Seshat -  barahona@lander.es    (in Spanish)

Sending an email or clicking in for information will get you on the way to join them and receive up-to-date information.

    DYNAMICS OF HISTORY   (March 28, 1999)

Dear Professor Castillos,

Dear Professor Bianchi,

I am a research student at Bronx Science engaged in a semester-long research project which examines, in part, the hypotheses of T.H Von Laue and Arnold Toynbee with regard to the dynamics of history. More specifically, I am looking at the Egyptian Middle Kingdom ( The Feudal Age) and asking the following general questions:

How important a role did the forces of circumstance (e.g. geography) play in the formation and accomplishments of that society?

What, in your opinion, was the greatest challenge faced by that society and successfully did it meet this challenge?

Your opinion on these and related questions would be greatly valued. In addition to your comments, the receipt of the titles of any written materials which you feel I should reference are welcomed as are the addresses of any on-line resources which you find particularly useful.

Finally, would you know of any other experts in your field with a particular interest in my research topic? Their names and affiliations would be of great assistance.

My research efforts culminate in mid-May. Any help/advice which you would be willing to share with me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Respectfully,

   Julie Shen    (Z.Shen@worldnet.att.net)

     DYNAMICS OF HISTORY     (31 March 1999)

Dear Ms. Shen,

Any time a scholar attempts to summarize what we know of the history of mankind and provide answers to the how and why of human responses to their environment over a period of thousands of years, I welcome the brave effort in the hope to find new insights but at the same time, I cringe because the time anyone could hope to be able to grasp the whole of human history so well as to provide such answers is well past and the probability of getting the wrong picture grows proportionally to the complexity we discover in the development of every ancient society. In other words, in my opinion the chances for success in such an ambitious task today increase as it involves the result of teamwork by many specialists rather than the perceptive genius of any single individual.

For instance, in Toynbee's case, other scholars (e.g. Frankfort) have criticized his misconceptions about ancient Egypt which invalidate some of his general conclusions.

The environment (geography and other aspects of it) favours or hinders human activity but I think any conscious or unconscious ideas involving determinism in history, that of the importance of the actions of strong individuals or that of economics or that of geography or others are wrong and we are at fault if we do not understand that in every case there were many factors at work simultaneously, perhaps some more strongly than others according to the specific circumstances of every society, but always acting as a combination of phenomena to which man had to find an adequate response to ensure his survival and the improvement of his living conditions.

Animals, because of their limited rational development, must adapt to the environment in order to survive and seldom introduce conscious, significant modifications. Man, on the other hand, can and as he evolves, does so in increasingly drastic ways, not always to his advantage.

In the case of ancient Egypt, I think that geography played an important role in the development of civilization rendering an arid area of Africa inhabitable and fertile, where man could generate means of sustenance with comparatively little effort. At the same time, the aridity of neighbouring areas contributed to isolate Egypt, protected it and delayed or minimized for a long time the effect of foreign concerted and disruptive intrusion.

Egypt became a power in the ancient world when it achieved unification, which brought about an administration that could tap and use all the available resources in the country appropriate to their level of technological development, for the benefit mainly of the élite, but through mechanisms of redistribution, also for most of the population most of the time. A unified Egypt could successfully resist foreign encroachment and predatory activity which came at different times from practically all sides.

But the very length and narrow width of most of the lower Nile Valley, made unification a situation that was artificial and difficult to maintain. Every time central power collapsed, the country seemed to revert to the original, natural division in nomes, or if the break-up was not so severe, in the Upper and Lower Egyptian areas.

The variability in the periodic flooding of the valley by the Nile also affected the prosperity of the country and until comparatively recent times, there was little the inhabitants could do to control it, beyond maximizing its beneficial effect during the good years so as to try to compensate for the inevitable bad ones.

In my opinion, the greatest challenge the ancient Egyptians faced was to preserve the political unification and the independence of their country. It benefitted all in many ways and in that they succeeded with brief interruptions, for 2,500 years, which I consider is one of their greatest accomplishments.

Yours sincerely,

    J. J. Castillos     (juancast@yahoo.com)

Some suggested websites:

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/nerwha/docs/von_laue.html

http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Academy/3640/toynbee.htm

http://www.nsu.ru/filf/pha/biblio/duikrev.htm

Some suggested readings:

-M. Ashley-Montagu (ed.), "Toynbee and History", 1956.

-D. Bonneau, "Le fisc et le Nil. Incidences des irregularités de la crue du Nil sur la fiscalité foncière", 1971.

-A. Bourde, "Toynbee", Universalia 1976.

-F. Braudel, "Ecrits sur l´Histoire", 1969.

-K. Butzer, "Early Hydraulic Civilization in Egypt", 1976.

-E. Finkenstaedt, "Cognitive vs. Ecological Niches in Prehistoric Egypt", JARCE 32, 1985, 143-147.

-H. Frankfort, "The birth of civilization in the Near East", 1956.

-E. Gargan (ed.), "The Intent of Toynbee´s History", 1961.

-P. Geyl, "Debates with Historians", 1958.

-W. McNeill, "Arnold J. Toynbee, a Life", 1989.

-A. Toynbee, "A Study of History", 12 Vols., 1934-1961.

-H. de Wit, "The evolution of the Eastern Nile Delta as a factor in the development of human culture" in "Environmental change and human culture in the Nile basin and Northern Africa until the 2nd millennium B. C.", Poznan, 1993.

   Dear Professor Castillos,     (2 April 1999)

I want to thank you for taking your time out to respond to my questions. Your answers have been very helpful to me. I will be sure to look into the sources you have suggested. Once again, thank you.

   Julie Shen

A quien me pueda ayudar:     (10 de Mayo de 1999)

Necesito información sobre la época de Amarna, en nuestro idioma y que esté actualizada. Gracias desde ya por responderme.

Steve Alvarez    (stalv@my-deja.com)

Estimado Steve:     (16 de Mayo de 1999)

Puedes encontrar una gran cantidad de datos sobre el tema que indicas en las siguientes páginas web:

ENLACES DE EGIPTOLOGIA

Espero que esto te sirva para solucionar tu problema. Hasta pronto:

J. M. Duarte     (jmduarte@i.com.uy)

Estimados amigos:     (10 de Junio de 1999)

Quizás alguno de Uds. conozca donde venden o se pueda bajar, algún programa parecido al WORD con jeroglíficos egipcios, ya que deseo poder imprimirlos y trabajar con ellos y no he podido conseguir ninguno. Hay uno que venden, en inglés, pero es muy caro. ¿Alguna idea? Gracias desde ya.

Julio Rosas    (jurosas@my-deja.com)

NOTA DEL MODERADOR - Hay un programa como el que buscas, en español, y es gratis. Puedes bajarlo de:

PROGRAMA DE JEROGLÍFICOS DE AMANUENSE

Hello,      (17 June 1999)

I am writing to ask for your help. I am a masters student studying applied science archaeological conservation. We look at the chemical structure of artifacts to help us work out the best way of conserving them. Conserving artifacts is of course a waste of time unless we have something to say about how these artifacts fitted into the society of their day and hopefully tell us more about that society. What I am starting to look at is ceramics. I am specifically looking at ceramic pots and technological changes in production that have taken place with their development. Can you help me, give me some references, or direction? I am very much looking forward to hearing from you, thank you for receiving this message.

Many thanks

Trish Leen

Assistant Conservator

State Library of New South Wales

Sydney 2000

Australia

work email tleen@slnsw.gov.au

home email: trishnancy@ozemail.com.au

P.S.- Thank you for your webpage, it's great.

Dear Trish,        (17 June 1999)

Thank you for your kind comments.

Regarding ancient Egyptian pottery the standard book is Lucas and Harris, "Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries", London, 1962, but more recent publications such as Colin Hope, "Ancient Egyptian Pottery", Shire Egyptology 5, Princes Risborough, 1987, has information and a detailed bibliography that you'll probably find useful. In a wider context, I would recommend you to consult as well J. Cronyn, "The elements of archaeological conservation", London, 1990 (1996), which has an interesting chapter on Ceramics and the relevant bibliography at the end of the book.

Please get in touch again if you need any further assistance and good luck with your project.

J. J. Castillos     (juancast@yahoo.com)

Matemática Egipcia       (19 de Julio de 1999)

Hace unos días vi un mensaje en una lista de matemáticas que esta ciencia no estaría muy desarrollada en el antiguo Egipto, excepto para fines estrictamente prácticos. En opinión de ustedes, ¿cuál sería el mayor logro de los egipcios antiguos en este terreno?

Juan Manuel   (moderator8954@my-deja.com)

NOTA DEL MODERADOR - Estimado Juan Manuel, en mi opinión, el mayor logro de ese pueblo fue el uso de un sistema numérico decimal ya desde por lo menos el 3.000 antes de nuestra era (Paleta de Narmer), me refiero al SISTEMA, pues la NOTACIÓN decimal es muy posterior y nos viene de la India a través de los árabes. Pero si algún otro lector de este Foro tiene otra opinión, nos complacerá oirla (e incluirla).

(26 July 1999)

My Spanish being of the only verbal variety, I apologise for writing in English. As a Basenji owner I have been searching for quite a while to find paintings, carvings, statues etc of these hounds in egyptology. The only place where I have been able to trace some is in Mereruka at Saqqara, where there is a clear drawing of a Basenji. Can you help me to locate any further? Or refer to suitable websites? Muchas gracias!

Annechien

( Clive & Annechien Smith

Clara & Lizzy Basenji

Hook, Hampshire, England

some 40 miles West of London)

Dear friends,        (27 July 1999)

Among recently published literature on the subject, I would suggest:

- Rosalind & Jack Janssen, "Egyptian Household animals", Shire Egyptology 12, Princes Risborough, 1989,

which I think can be easily obtained in Britain and which has a bibliography for further readings. Also, a Uruguayan colleague of mine, Dr. Alberto Bianchi who has written quite a bit on ancient Egyptian animals and dogs in particular, could be useful. You'll find his relevant publications in:

Dr. A. Bianchi's Publications

you'll be able to get his Aegyptus Antiqua article on hounds from the Argentines at:

Argentine Egyptology Webpage

and his long paper for the Spanish Bulletin from the people at:

Spanish Egyptology Webpages

I hope this can be useful, I'm sorry I can't right now spare more time on your behalf on this matter since here in the Southern Hemisphere it's full academic activity (much as January over there) and they keep me quite busy, but feel free to contact me if there's anything else I could do for you on any other matter.

Best wishes,

J. J. Castillos      (juancast@yahoo.com)

Hello!      (July 28, 1999)

I am a Mauritian student in egyptology and I am looking for some information I did not find on the Internet. I have found your email on egyptology resources server and I would be very pleased if you could answer my questions:

1. what was the name of the alcaline salt used for the bath-shower in Egypt?

2. how many chapels were nearby Tutankhamun's sarcophagus?

3. In how many blocks was Abu Simbel's temple cut during its move in the 60s to prevent it to be flooded by the construction of the Aswan high dam?

4. what was the first European museum to have an Egyptian arts department?

Thanks in advance for your help on any of these questions.

Saad Leonide       (saadleo@hotmail.com)

NOTE FROM THE MODERATOR - You'll find below our answers to your questions, which I hope you'll find satisfactory:

>1. what was the name of the alcaline salt used for the bath-shower in Egypt?

The ancient Egyptians used natron, a mixture of sodium carbonate and other salts, both for washing and personal hygiene and also for the mummification process, due to its properties that helped desiccate the bodies and prevent decay.

>2. how many chapels were nearby Tutankhamun's sarcophagus?

There were four gilt shrines covering the sarcophagus and coffins, profusely decorated with religious inscriptions.

>3. In how many blocks was Abu Simbel's temple cut during its move in the 60s to prevent it to be flooded by the construction of the Aswan high dam?

Since the stone of the temple weighed about 20,000 tons and the blocks into which it was cut weighed between 20 and 30 tons each, I would say about 1,000 blocks.

>4. what was the first European museum to have an Egyptian arts department?

The British Museum was created by an Act of Parliament in 1756 and some of its earliest Egyptian antiquities had previously belonged to Sir Hans Sloane. Specialized Departments of Egyptian Antiquities came much later, well into the last century.

Hello,        (3 August 1999)

My name is Malgorzata. I am studying the ancient Egyptian art at the Warsaw University. Next year I am going to write my master's thesis but unfortunately I can hardly find something interesting on my subject which is "The role of nature in the art of the New Kingdom". If any of you know somebody who is interested in the mentioned above subject, please let me know by e-mail.

Thank you very much in advance.

Malgosia      (mszczycinska@worldbank.org)

For Malgosia,      (6 August 1999)

I think you have chosen a very good subject for your thesis, you'll find plenty of books to consult and also there is plenty to say on your own due to the many changes in ancient Egyptian society in this period, which also affected their perception of nature and how this was expressed by the artists. I've been told that in the latest issue of Scientific American (July '99) there is an article that deals with this subject and could be useful to you, it has up-to-date bibliography to consult afterwards. I hope these comments help you in your work.

Liz       (archer44@my-deja.com)

Dear sirs,      (7 August 1999)

http://www.oocities.org/CollegePark/Center/3152/

Please be so kind to add my Egypt site above to your links.

Kind Regards,

Paul van Pelt      (vanpelt@casema.net)

Consulta sobre AMENHOTEP      (28 de Agosto de 1999)

Desearía (si no les es impertinente), si me pudieran mandar un mensaje diciéndome cuál fue el SACERDOTE más importante del faraón Amenophis IV (también llamado Akhenatón), esposo de la emperatriz Nefertiti.

No es de mi interés, pero sí de una persona que solicitó mi ayuda consultándolo por uno de los medios de internet. Desde ya Muchas Gracias!

Gustavo Rodríguez Beisso      (gustavo9@netgate.com.uy)

PD: probablemente haya notado mi falta de información en el tema, ya que no sé si el citado fue faraón o emperador (digo porque sí sé que Nefertiti fue emperatriz)

Estimado amigo:      (28 de Agosto de 1999)

Es un gusto para mí procurar contestar sus preguntas. El título de emperador (o emperatriz) no existía en el antiguo Egipto, nos vienen de la antigua Roma, pero lo eran de hecho pues Egipto en esa época poseía un imperio.

Es muy difícil en temas históricos responder a qué fue lo más importante en cualquier situación por la subjetividad que tales planteos usualmente implican, pero yo diría que fue el Padre Divino Ay, ya que después llegó hasta a ser Faraón él mismo, después de Tutankhamón. La función sacerdotal en el antiguo Egipto era menos mística y contemplativa de lo que muchos piensan, implicaba una serie de responsabilidades rituales y administrativas y son variados los títulos que los funcionarios generalmente ostentan, entre ellos, cargos sacerdotales que cumplían durante cierto lapso.

J. J. Castillos     (juancast@yahoo.com)

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