Paleography and Epigraphy of Ancient Egypt

Teacher(s)

Gauthier Nicolas;

Language

French

Prerequisites

A knowledge of the Egyptian language and the hieroglyphic system acquired in B.A. or judged sufficient by the teacher.

Main themes

Techniques of reproduction of inscriptions, texts and representations. Paleography and epigraphy of the writing systems of ancient Egypt, in particular the hieroglyphic system.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

At the end of this course, students will have acquired a knowledge of the techniques of reproduction of inscriptions, texts and representations that are practiced in Egyptology, including their evolution over time, as well as the paleography of the hieroglyphic system of the different periods of ancient Egypt and they will know the possible use of its paleography for the dating of monuments (stelae, temples, tombs, etc.)

Content

After an introduction to the techniques of reproduction of inscriptions, texts and representations of ancient Egypt, the different writing systems are presented. The paleography of the hieroglyphic system is then given special attention. With the help of case studies, the evolution of signs is examined. Together with a presentation of the stylistic evolution of the representations, the use of hieroglyphic paleography as a criterion for dating monuments is developed.

Teaching methods

The different writing systems, the types of reliefs, the stylistic evolution of the representations, as well as the techniques for recording them (painting and relief), texts and inscriptions are the subject of a lecture. Case studies of inscriptions are carried out on the basis of prior preparation by the students. Compulsory readings complete the course.

Evaluation methods

Continuous assessment and final oral exam. The continuous assessment and the final exam each count for half of the final grade (50% + 50%). Continuous assessment may take the form of reading records, but will be precisely defined during the first session.

Online resources

Photographs and facsimiles of the entries studied are available on the Moodle server.

Bibliography

• R. Caminos et H. G. Fischer, Ancient Egyptian Epigraphy and Palaeography, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1987.
  
• S. C. Dirksen et L. S. Krastel (éds.), Epigraphy through five millennia. Texts and images in context, Deutsches archäologisches Institut. Abteilung Kairo. Sonderschriften 43, 2020.
  
• V. Davies et D. Laboury (éds.), The Oxford handbook of Egyptian epigraphy and palaeography, Oxford, 2020.
  

Faculty or entity

EHAC