Posters by Kimberley Watt
Published and upcoming research by Kimberley Watt
The tomb of Khnumhotep II, located on the cliff face of Beni Hasan, and dating from the early 12t... more The tomb of Khnumhotep II, located on the cliff face of Beni Hasan, and dating from the early 12th Dynasty, presents fascinating wall paintings. While the repertoire of the tomb itself has already been the subject of a comprehensive study, this paper focuses on one specific scene in the tomb: the filling of the granaries.
This action can be seen in elite tombs from the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom: this “topos” has a highly symbolic value as it stood for the granaries of the afterlife but also mirrored the landscape of the living. Yet, for the current purpose, its meaning is secondary. Indeed the architecture of the scene is interesting in the following ways: first, the scene is geographically limited within a specific space, then a veranda supported by three columns extends its shadow over scribes recording the filling. In addition, the workmen are shown going through a structure only depicted by its entrance and exit frame doors. This suggests an architecture very close to the one found in the fortresses of the second cataract of the Nile.
The uniqueness of this detailed architecture can give an insight into elevation and internal organisation of the Middle Kingdom granaries.
Book Reviews by Kimberley Watt
The results of cutting-edge CT imaging on Ramesses III, Hatshepsut, Tutankhamen, and a host of ot... more The results of cutting-edge CT imaging on Ramesses III, Hatshepsut, Tutankhamen, and a host of other New Kingdom mummies are revealed in a gripping new book by Zahi Hawass and Sahar Saleem.
Volume published: Cambridge University Press
Book review published in Current World Archaeology 7... more Volume published: Cambridge University Press
Book review published in Current World Archaeology 78 (Aug/Sept 2016)
W. Paul van Pelt (ed.), Archaeology and Cultural Mixture. Archaeological Review from Cambridge 28.1, Cambridge., Apr 2013
Papers by Kimberley Watt
Cattelain, L., Smolderen, A. & Gillard, M. (dir.) Archéologues Malgré-Tout. Apporter sa pierre pour y voir clair. Mélanges offerts à Pierre Cattelain et Claire Bellier. Treignes : Cedarc/Musée du Malgré-Tout, 2022
(See below for English)
Les inscriptions de dédicace des temples fournissent des informations dét... more (See below for English)
Les inscriptions de dédicace des temples fournissent des informations détaillées sur les matériaux utilisés pour construire les temples dans l'Égypte du Nouvel Empire. Cette précision aide à la reconstruction du paysage bâti. En effet, les portes de temple en bois n'ont pas survécu in situ, et peu de descriptions existent dans la littérature ou les représentations anciennes. Dans les dédicaces des rois lors de la construction ou la restauration des éléments de temples, les métaux utilisés pour orner les portes sont détaillés, depuis l'or et l'électrum jusqu’aux alliages de cuivre. Ces derniers décorent les portes de manière différente de l'or et de l'électrum, qui sont majoritairement dits bȝk « travaillés ». En effet, le cuivre et le cuivre noir sont également nbd. Ce terme, qui fait référence aux tresses et aux textiles plissés, est traduit « rubané » ou « appliqué » dans le contexte des métaux. Ceci est étayé par l'étude de l'une des portes de temple restantes de la XVIIIe dynastie, conservée au Metropolitan Museum of Art de New York. Aucune plaque métallique n'a survécu, mais la porte en bois montre leurs emplacements, ajoutant à la connaissance du décor des temples durant le Nouvel Empire. Cet article propose une reconstitution de l’état original de cette porte.
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Dedication inscriptions of temples provide extensive information on the materials used to build temples in New Kingdom Egypt. These details help in the reconstruction of the built landscape. Indeed, temple doors made of wood have not survived in situ, and few descriptions exist in the ancient literature or depictions. In the royal dedication texts inscribed for the construction or restoration of temple elements, the metals used to ornate the doors are detailed, from the gold and electrum to the copper alloys. The latter are treated differently from the gold and electrum, which are said to be bȝk “worked”. Indeed, copper and black copper are also nbd. This term, which refers to hair braids and textiles, is translated “banded” in the context of metals. This is supported by studying one of the only remaining temple doors of the Eighteenth Dynasty, preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. No metallic plate survived, but the wooden door shows their locations, adding to the knowledge of temple décor during the New Kingdom. This paper offers a reconstitution of this door’s original condition.
Watt, K. (2022) ‘Décorations métalliques des portes des temples en Égypte à la XVIIIe dynastie : or travaillé et cuivre rubané’, dans : Cattelain, L., Smolderen, A. & Gillard, M. (dir.) Archéologues Malgré-Tout. Apporter sa pierre pour y voir clair. Mélanges offerts à Pierre Cattelain et Claire Bellier. Treignes : Cedarc/Musée du Malgré-Tout. 2022, p. 149-154.
Fondation de la Vocation Thomas Mulvey Egyptology Fund Department of Archaeology and Anthropology... more Fondation de la Vocation Thomas Mulvey Egyptology Fund Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge
Peterková Hlouchová, Marie, Dana Bělohoubková, Jiří Honzl, and Vĕra Nováková (eds), Current research in Egyptology 2018: proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Symposium, Czech Institute of Egyptology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, 25-28 June 2018. Oxford: Archaeopress, 2019
After examining the provenance of materials used in monumental architecture during the 18th dynas... more After examining the provenance of materials used in monumental architecture during the 18th dynasty from the emic perspective of textual sources, the nature of black copper (Hmty km), which appeared in the sources at the beginning of the period, is explored. This appellation was used to differentiate it from foreign copper received as tribute from the reign of Thutmose I. As Asiatic copper was lighter in colour, it is possible that Egyptian copper contained more metal contaminants that made it appear darker. The provenance of this copper is examined, on the basis of texts as well as the archaeometallurgical surveys made in Egypt.
A rare mention of lapis lazuli which is allochthonous to Sinai, in an inscription dating to the reign of Thutmose III is examined. This, as well as the presence in the Sinai inscriptions of several royal envoys, who regularly appeared in foreign and diplomatic contexts, lead to a discussion about Serabit el-Khadim and the Sinai acting as a meeting point for Egyptians and foreigners.
Citation:
Watt, Kimberley 2019. Lapis lazuli in Sinai and indigenous black copper during the 18th dynasty. In Peterková Hlouchová, Marie, Dana Bělohoubková, Jiří Honzl, and Vĕra Nováková (eds), Current research in Egyptology 2018: proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Symposium, Czech Institute of Egyptology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, 25-28 June 2018, 229-238. Oxford: Archaeopress
Between 18 October and 13 November 2014, excavations were undertaken in the Main City South at Am... more Between 18 October and 13 November 2014, excavations were undertaken in the Main City South at Amarna. The team consisted of Anna Hodgkinson (field director), Susan Kelly, Ashley Bryant, and Kimberley Watt, and inspector from the Ministry of State for Antiquities, Mohamed Khalil. The work was funded by grants from the G.A. Wainwright Fund, the Corning Museum of Glass (Rakow Grant), the Association for the History of Glass and the Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society.
Archaeological Review from Cambridge, Nov 2014
A look at what a series of travel postcards from the early 1900s can tell us about the state of E... more A look at what a series of travel postcards from the early 1900s can tell us about the state of Egypt and Egyptian monuments at the time.
Conference Presentations by Kimberley Watt
Presentation at Current Research in Egyptology XVIII in Prague, on the 25 June 2018.
"The mining... more Presentation at Current Research in Egyptology XVIII in Prague, on the 25 June 2018.
"The mining and quarrying expeditions were crucial in the economic and political landscape of Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt, as the collection of raw material allowed the power to maintain stronghold on its means of representation. Gold notably came from Nubia, turquoise from Sinai (especially the site of Serabit el-Khadim up to the reign of Amenhotep III it appears) and the quarrying sites for building stones are more or less well recorded (especially quarries of the Wadi Hammamat). Distant from the Nile valley, these sites were reached by temporary organised expeditions, led by an array of officials. It is believed that examining these officials will provide an insight in the destination of the collected goods, temples or institutions. As a result, the office of the treasury and that of Overseer of the seals are closely examined. For instance Si-month, an official dating of the reign of Thutmose III, left testimony of his visit in the temple of Hathor, Lady of turquoise, in Serabit el-Khadim."
Thesis Chapters by Kimberley Watt
University of Cambridge.
Submitted in September 2019
Books by Kimberley Watt
Hurghada Museum Catalog. Beauty across Egyptian History, 2020
This catalog was prepared by Dr Zahi Hawass and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in 2020. ... more This catalog was prepared by Dr Zahi Hawass and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in 2020.
As a contributor, I was authorised by Dr Zahi Hawass to share it on academia, given that it is for now out of print.
My contribution resides in the research and writing of the Kitchen and Cookware chapter and the Leisure Activities chapter.
Uploads
Posters by Kimberley Watt
This action can be seen in elite tombs from the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom: this “topos” has a highly symbolic value as it stood for the granaries of the afterlife but also mirrored the landscape of the living. Yet, for the current purpose, its meaning is secondary. Indeed the architecture of the scene is interesting in the following ways: first, the scene is geographically limited within a specific space, then a veranda supported by three columns extends its shadow over scribes recording the filling. In addition, the workmen are shown going through a structure only depicted by its entrance and exit frame doors. This suggests an architecture very close to the one found in the fortresses of the second cataract of the Nile.
The uniqueness of this detailed architecture can give an insight into elevation and internal organisation of the Middle Kingdom granaries.
Book Reviews by Kimberley Watt
Book review published in Current World Archaeology 78 (Aug/Sept 2016)
Papers by Kimberley Watt
Les inscriptions de dédicace des temples fournissent des informations détaillées sur les matériaux utilisés pour construire les temples dans l'Égypte du Nouvel Empire. Cette précision aide à la reconstruction du paysage bâti. En effet, les portes de temple en bois n'ont pas survécu in situ, et peu de descriptions existent dans la littérature ou les représentations anciennes. Dans les dédicaces des rois lors de la construction ou la restauration des éléments de temples, les métaux utilisés pour orner les portes sont détaillés, depuis l'or et l'électrum jusqu’aux alliages de cuivre. Ces derniers décorent les portes de manière différente de l'or et de l'électrum, qui sont majoritairement dits bȝk « travaillés ». En effet, le cuivre et le cuivre noir sont également nbd. Ce terme, qui fait référence aux tresses et aux textiles plissés, est traduit « rubané » ou « appliqué » dans le contexte des métaux. Ceci est étayé par l'étude de l'une des portes de temple restantes de la XVIIIe dynastie, conservée au Metropolitan Museum of Art de New York. Aucune plaque métallique n'a survécu, mais la porte en bois montre leurs emplacements, ajoutant à la connaissance du décor des temples durant le Nouvel Empire. Cet article propose une reconstitution de l’état original de cette porte.
-------------------------------
Dedication inscriptions of temples provide extensive information on the materials used to build temples in New Kingdom Egypt. These details help in the reconstruction of the built landscape. Indeed, temple doors made of wood have not survived in situ, and few descriptions exist in the ancient literature or depictions. In the royal dedication texts inscribed for the construction or restoration of temple elements, the metals used to ornate the doors are detailed, from the gold and electrum to the copper alloys. The latter are treated differently from the gold and electrum, which are said to be bȝk “worked”. Indeed, copper and black copper are also nbd. This term, which refers to hair braids and textiles, is translated “banded” in the context of metals. This is supported by studying one of the only remaining temple doors of the Eighteenth Dynasty, preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. No metallic plate survived, but the wooden door shows their locations, adding to the knowledge of temple décor during the New Kingdom. This paper offers a reconstitution of this door’s original condition.
Watt, K. (2022) ‘Décorations métalliques des portes des temples en Égypte à la XVIIIe dynastie : or travaillé et cuivre rubané’, dans : Cattelain, L., Smolderen, A. & Gillard, M. (dir.) Archéologues Malgré-Tout. Apporter sa pierre pour y voir clair. Mélanges offerts à Pierre Cattelain et Claire Bellier. Treignes : Cedarc/Musée du Malgré-Tout. 2022, p. 149-154.
A rare mention of lapis lazuli which is allochthonous to Sinai, in an inscription dating to the reign of Thutmose III is examined. This, as well as the presence in the Sinai inscriptions of several royal envoys, who regularly appeared in foreign and diplomatic contexts, lead to a discussion about Serabit el-Khadim and the Sinai acting as a meeting point for Egyptians and foreigners.
Citation:
Watt, Kimberley 2019. Lapis lazuli in Sinai and indigenous black copper during the 18th dynasty. In Peterková Hlouchová, Marie, Dana Bělohoubková, Jiří Honzl, and Vĕra Nováková (eds), Current research in Egyptology 2018: proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Symposium, Czech Institute of Egyptology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, 25-28 June 2018, 229-238. Oxford: Archaeopress
Conference Presentations by Kimberley Watt
"The mining and quarrying expeditions were crucial in the economic and political landscape of Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt, as the collection of raw material allowed the power to maintain stronghold on its means of representation. Gold notably came from Nubia, turquoise from Sinai (especially the site of Serabit el-Khadim up to the reign of Amenhotep III it appears) and the quarrying sites for building stones are more or less well recorded (especially quarries of the Wadi Hammamat). Distant from the Nile valley, these sites were reached by temporary organised expeditions, led by an array of officials. It is believed that examining these officials will provide an insight in the destination of the collected goods, temples or institutions. As a result, the office of the treasury and that of Overseer of the seals are closely examined. For instance Si-month, an official dating of the reign of Thutmose III, left testimony of his visit in the temple of Hathor, Lady of turquoise, in Serabit el-Khadim."
Thesis Chapters by Kimberley Watt
Books by Kimberley Watt
As a contributor, I was authorised by Dr Zahi Hawass to share it on academia, given that it is for now out of print.
My contribution resides in the research and writing of the Kitchen and Cookware chapter and the Leisure Activities chapter.
This action can be seen in elite tombs from the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom: this “topos” has a highly symbolic value as it stood for the granaries of the afterlife but also mirrored the landscape of the living. Yet, for the current purpose, its meaning is secondary. Indeed the architecture of the scene is interesting in the following ways: first, the scene is geographically limited within a specific space, then a veranda supported by three columns extends its shadow over scribes recording the filling. In addition, the workmen are shown going through a structure only depicted by its entrance and exit frame doors. This suggests an architecture very close to the one found in the fortresses of the second cataract of the Nile.
The uniqueness of this detailed architecture can give an insight into elevation and internal organisation of the Middle Kingdom granaries.
Book review published in Current World Archaeology 78 (Aug/Sept 2016)
Les inscriptions de dédicace des temples fournissent des informations détaillées sur les matériaux utilisés pour construire les temples dans l'Égypte du Nouvel Empire. Cette précision aide à la reconstruction du paysage bâti. En effet, les portes de temple en bois n'ont pas survécu in situ, et peu de descriptions existent dans la littérature ou les représentations anciennes. Dans les dédicaces des rois lors de la construction ou la restauration des éléments de temples, les métaux utilisés pour orner les portes sont détaillés, depuis l'or et l'électrum jusqu’aux alliages de cuivre. Ces derniers décorent les portes de manière différente de l'or et de l'électrum, qui sont majoritairement dits bȝk « travaillés ». En effet, le cuivre et le cuivre noir sont également nbd. Ce terme, qui fait référence aux tresses et aux textiles plissés, est traduit « rubané » ou « appliqué » dans le contexte des métaux. Ceci est étayé par l'étude de l'une des portes de temple restantes de la XVIIIe dynastie, conservée au Metropolitan Museum of Art de New York. Aucune plaque métallique n'a survécu, mais la porte en bois montre leurs emplacements, ajoutant à la connaissance du décor des temples durant le Nouvel Empire. Cet article propose une reconstitution de l’état original de cette porte.
-------------------------------
Dedication inscriptions of temples provide extensive information on the materials used to build temples in New Kingdom Egypt. These details help in the reconstruction of the built landscape. Indeed, temple doors made of wood have not survived in situ, and few descriptions exist in the ancient literature or depictions. In the royal dedication texts inscribed for the construction or restoration of temple elements, the metals used to ornate the doors are detailed, from the gold and electrum to the copper alloys. The latter are treated differently from the gold and electrum, which are said to be bȝk “worked”. Indeed, copper and black copper are also nbd. This term, which refers to hair braids and textiles, is translated “banded” in the context of metals. This is supported by studying one of the only remaining temple doors of the Eighteenth Dynasty, preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. No metallic plate survived, but the wooden door shows their locations, adding to the knowledge of temple décor during the New Kingdom. This paper offers a reconstitution of this door’s original condition.
Watt, K. (2022) ‘Décorations métalliques des portes des temples en Égypte à la XVIIIe dynastie : or travaillé et cuivre rubané’, dans : Cattelain, L., Smolderen, A. & Gillard, M. (dir.) Archéologues Malgré-Tout. Apporter sa pierre pour y voir clair. Mélanges offerts à Pierre Cattelain et Claire Bellier. Treignes : Cedarc/Musée du Malgré-Tout. 2022, p. 149-154.
A rare mention of lapis lazuli which is allochthonous to Sinai, in an inscription dating to the reign of Thutmose III is examined. This, as well as the presence in the Sinai inscriptions of several royal envoys, who regularly appeared in foreign and diplomatic contexts, lead to a discussion about Serabit el-Khadim and the Sinai acting as a meeting point for Egyptians and foreigners.
Citation:
Watt, Kimberley 2019. Lapis lazuli in Sinai and indigenous black copper during the 18th dynasty. In Peterková Hlouchová, Marie, Dana Bělohoubková, Jiří Honzl, and Vĕra Nováková (eds), Current research in Egyptology 2018: proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Symposium, Czech Institute of Egyptology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, 25-28 June 2018, 229-238. Oxford: Archaeopress
"The mining and quarrying expeditions were crucial in the economic and political landscape of Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt, as the collection of raw material allowed the power to maintain stronghold on its means of representation. Gold notably came from Nubia, turquoise from Sinai (especially the site of Serabit el-Khadim up to the reign of Amenhotep III it appears) and the quarrying sites for building stones are more or less well recorded (especially quarries of the Wadi Hammamat). Distant from the Nile valley, these sites were reached by temporary organised expeditions, led by an array of officials. It is believed that examining these officials will provide an insight in the destination of the collected goods, temples or institutions. As a result, the office of the treasury and that of Overseer of the seals are closely examined. For instance Si-month, an official dating of the reign of Thutmose III, left testimony of his visit in the temple of Hathor, Lady of turquoise, in Serabit el-Khadim."
As a contributor, I was authorised by Dr Zahi Hawass to share it on academia, given that it is for now out of print.
My contribution resides in the research and writing of the Kitchen and Cookware chapter and the Leisure Activities chapter.