Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend the live sessions!
In this course, we will read in detail, in hieroglyphs transliterated from the original hieratic, a select few letters from the Middle Kingdom (c.1850-1700 BCE) village of Lahun, which was a walled settlement close to the entrance of the Faiyum. It was the home of the craftsmen and workers responsible for the pyramids of several 12th dynasty kings. From here, we have a relatively large collection of letters on various topics, ranging from official correspondence regarding the organisation of large festivals to personal letters complaining about family and bosses.
We will start by reading a short informal note regarding the delivery of a skin for leatherwork (Berlin 10014) and continue with a more formal letter about the funerary estate of somebody called Wah (UC 32199, see above). We will then look at UC 32200, which deals with somebody who has allegedly been wrongly arrested and a more fragmented one on the same topic. We will finish by looking at an official letter that concerns the movement of men and provisions (UC 32201, see below).
The grammar will be thoroughly explained as we come across it, and constructions peculiar to letters will be discussed. Although the course will concentrate on translating the texts themselves, the historical and archaeological background will also be discussed.
Students will be able to refresh or improve their knowledge of Middle Egyptian and gain some experience of the process of the translation of more advanced texts.
This course is suitable for those who have completed the EES Beyond Intermediate Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs course or who have studied Egyptian to the level where they are able to read, with or without help, the easier passages of Middle Egyptian literature.
Tutor
Dr Joseph Clayton
Course Outline
Please note that main content will be delivered between 18:00-20:00, though some optional participation (quizzes, Q&A, etc.) may continue beyond that time.
Tuesday 11 March 2025, 18:00-20:00 (UK time)
Week One - On the delivery of a skin, and about the estate of Wah
Tuesday 18 March 2025, 18:00-20:00 (UK time)
Week Two - Regarding an official who has overstepped the mark
Tuesday 25 March 2025, 18:00-20:00 (UK time)
Week Three - On the transport of provisions and men
Plan of the settlement of Lahun, near the Faiyum in Egypt.
Booking and information
Register for your place in advance using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about your booking. Reminder emails with links for joining the event will be sent by email closer to the start date too. If you do not receive your email, then please check your junk folders before contacting the Egypt Exploration Society. The course will be held on our Zoom platform and attendees will be able to interact by asking questions, using the chat and polls. It is not necessary to have a working webcam or microphone for this course. The online course will be complemented by Google Drive, where resources will be uploaded.
Please ensure that you have read our guide to attending EES online events before the course begins.
