This page was created by Emilia Porubcin. The last update was by Christina J. Hodge.
Lessons
A critical collection
As ordinary, fragmentary artifacts of modest life and death, the items explored here produce a view of ancient Egypt distinct from that typically presented in museums. Interest in ancient Egypt has historically focused on Dynastic periods. By studying materials, rather than chronology, we include periods both before and after pharaonic Egypt. Museums usually celebrate tombs and temples filled with wonderful things. Everyday objects prompt us to consider the lives of ordinary Egyptians. Egyptological research was initially dominated by epigraphy, the study of texts. In this project, we focus on objects, including those without inscriptions. While many items included here were used in burials, they also speak to the activities of daily life, which they served in this world and the next.This Egyptian collection reveals both research and social value through its material qualities. Despite a history of dislocation and disregard, these materials matter.
Acknowledgements
Digital publication (2019)
- Emilia A. Porubcin, Research Intern, Stanford University Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA)
- Stanford University Archaeology Collections gratefully acknowledges the support of CESTA and the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education in making the digital publication of Our Dark Materials possible.
Student curators (2018)
- Undergraduate
- Ariela Algaze
- Aubrey Beam
- Reilly Jonathan Clark
- Charlie Furrer
- Mitzi Harris
- Shana Levine
- Christopher Lopez
- Kaitlyn Olah
- Christina Pan
- Matthew Yellowtail
- Graduate
- Sabrina Papazian
- Jasmine Reid
Campus supporters
- Cantor Arts Center: Peg Brady, Jeffrey Fairbairn, Jennifer Daly, Kate Holohan, Amanda Maples, Susan Roberts-Manganelli
- Department of Classics: Gabrielle Thiboutot, Susan Stephens
- Land, Buildings, and Real Estate: Carpentry Shop, Glass Shop, Paint Shop, Sign Shop
- Stanford Archaeology Center: Ian Hodder, Li Liu, Jessica Lopez, Laura Rossi, Margot Serra, Jiajing Wang
- Stanford University Archaeology Collections: Sara Godin, Suzy Huizinga, Veronica Jacobs-Edmondson
- Stanford University Libraries: Tony Calavano, Dinah Handel, Jenny Johnson, Tim Noakes, Regina Roberts, Stuart Snydman
Other consultants
- Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and Semitic Museum, Harvard University: Peter der Manuelian
- Oriental Institute, University of Chicago: Jan Johnson, Foy Scalf
- Near Eastern Studies Department, University of California, Berkeley: Barbara Richter
Instructional curator
- Christina J. Hodge, Stanford University Archaeology Collections