Archaeology of Egypt

Archaeological context and the history of excavation are key to the core understanding of ancient Egyptian culture, society and history. This is assessed through a deep knowledge of the history of excavation in Egypt and the critique of archaeological theories, methods, reports and and interpretation. The course provides an in-depth analysis of the main archaeological sites in Egypt, including the Sinai, Levant and the Eastern and Western Deserts, and their development over time from ca. 4000 BC until the Roman period. It analyses the different features of sites, including settlements, harbours, roads, temples and tombs, in order to understand the holistic function of each place. The variety of dating methods, which form an essential element of critically analysing and comparing archaeological site formation and history, are examined. Textual evidence constitutes a further key issue to be considered in the interpretation of archaeological sites and features.