The Secret Doctrine is the magnum opus of H.P. Blavatsky and one of the foundation texts of the Theosophical Society. It represents her attempt to appropriate authority in a wide variety of fields, including, science, religion, and philosophy. This study examines H.P. Blavatsky’s engagement with Ancient Egypt in relation to two specific themes, the constitution of the individual and the afterlife, as they are portrayed in this work. It locates Theosophy in its historical context, the late nineteenth century, in relation to various fields of knowledge. It reviews the sources that H.P. Blavatsky drew on in her work and discusses the various interpretive techniques she employed to insert Theosophical content into various world religions. Finally, it contrasts the Theosophical presentation of Ancient Egypt in The Secret Doctrine with that of mainstream modern Egyptology. The fundamental disconnect which is revealed highlights the challenges that the Theosophical perspective faces. / Religious Studies & Arabic / M. A. (Religious Studies)

The thesis seeks to explain the sexual passages of women related to fertility, such as menstruation, pregnancy and birth, in the ancient Egyptian world. The passages related to fertility have strong connotations with death in the Egyptian mythological context. The aim of the thesis is to understand this relationship, often metaphorically conveyed in iconography or in the netherworld literature. The thesis collects material from various sources, archeological, textual, iconographical, not only Egyptian, but also Greek and Roman. The methods used vary from cognitive linguistics and semiotic analysis to religious anthropology. Menstruation, pregnancy and birth in ancient Egypt are explained not only on the level of the understanding of the body of the Egyptians, but also in terms of what role they play in iconography and mythology. Furthermore, the relationship between birth and death is made with regards to fertility. The basic findings of this thesis consist of illustrating a dichotomy between the feminine nurturing principle of and masculine creative principle which appear in different contexts related to birth and death: in iconography, on the level of bodily fluids, or in mythological creation.

The aim of the present thesis is translation, detailed analysis and interpretation of the Coffin Texts of the Late-period tomb of Iufaa at Abusir. The corpus of these texts is unique, because except for a few text sequences, which were common in the Late Period, there are texts that are not preserved elsewhere in the Late Period and sometimes only exist in highly fragmentary Middle Kingdom versions. The Coffin Texts found on Iufaa's outer sarcophagus and on the walls of his burial chamber consist only of such uncommon texts. Some of these are also placed on the inner sarcophagus, whereall theremaining Coffin Texts spells are also located. The thesis presents a translation and analysis of the individual texts, focusing on their development, tradition and changes between the Middle Kingdom and the Late Period, including commentaries on grammar and language use as well as on the content. Iufaa's versions of these texts significantly contribute to our understanding and interpretation of some Coffin Texts spells and present a wider view on Egyptian religious texts and their interpretation, as well as on the textual transmission and work of Egyptian priests and scribes themselves.

This paper deals with the chemical identification of artefacts correlated with the process of ancient Egyptian mummification dating to the Graeco-Roman period. The samples were harvested from two artefacts belonging to the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm. The original description of the said samples defined them, as natron filled linen bags and bee product (honey?). To identify the true nature of the samples, advanced methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and powder X-ray Diffractometry were used. The results were correlated with previous made analyses regarding embalming materials to discover similarities. Furthermore, the research revealed that the previous sample identifications were false, while providing hypotheses based on the new results.

Text in English / Ancient Egyptian distinctive headdresses made from precious or semi-precious materials date to prehistoric times, indicating a growing sense of individuality and hierarchy. Women’s headdresses were indicators of rulership, divinity, social status, cultic affiliation and wealth. Visual evidence indicates that female identity was emphasised by external and outward appearance and headdresses in the form of diadems followed recognised stylistic dictates throughout the Dynastic Period. The floral and faunal motifs used in the embellishment were believed to have protective amuletic and magical powers. Although a considerable amount of investigation has been undertaken into the use of materials and techniques used in the manufacture of diadems, the incorporation of symbolism and iconography of these gendered artefacts as a means of interpreting visual messages and self-expression has largely been unexplored. The study has been limited to well-provenanced, extant Old, Middle and New Kingdom diadems housed in various museums worldwide. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Ancient Near Eastern Studies)

The Secret Doctrine is the magnum opus of H.P. Blavatsky and one of the foundation texts of the Theosophical Society. It represents her attempt to appropriate authority in a wide variety of fields, including, science, religion, and philosophy. This study examines H.P. Blavatsky’s engagement with Ancient Egypt in relation to two specific themes, the constitution of the individual and the afterlife, as they are portrayed in this work. It locates Theosophy in its historical context, the late nineteenth century, in relation to various fields of knowledge. It reviews the sources that H.P. Blavatsky drew on in her work and discusses the various interpretive techniques she employed to insert Theosophical content into various world religions. Finally, it contrasts the Theosophical presentation of Ancient Egypt in The Secret Doctrine with that of mainstream modern Egyptology. The fundamental disconnect which is revealed highlights the challenges that the Theosophical perspective faces. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M. A. (Religious Studies)

This study aims to determine whether current and past research on the Badarian culture of early Egypt accurately reflects the evidence uncovered in the past and the evaluation of the excavation reports by the early excavators. An archaeological re-evaluation of the Badarian culture and relevant sites is presented in the introduction. Inter-regional development of the Badarian is crucial to placing the Badarian in the temporal ladder of the predynastic cultures, leading up the formation of the dynastic era of Ancient Egypt. The following thesis is not meant to be a definitive answer on the origins and placement of the Badarian people in the Predynastic hierarchy of ancient Egypt, but one of its aims is to stimulate discussion and offer alternatives to the narrative of the Badarian culture. A set of outcomes is presented to test all hypotheses. Research questions are discussed to determine whether the Badarian culture is a regional phenomenon restricted to a small area around the Badari-Mostagedda-Matmar region, or as a wider inter-regional variable carrying on into the later Nagada cultures. To reach a hypothesis, the chronology of the Badarian is analysed, in-depth study of the original excavation reports and later research on the Badarian question. An important facet of this study is a literature review of the Badarian culture, past and present. The Badarian culture had always been a subject of speculation, especially in terms of its chronology and regional development. There is no consensus on the chronology of dispersion out of the desert to the Nile Valley, as well as areas north and south of the Nile Valley. It is important to establish the concept of an agronomic sedentary lifestyle by the Badarian, and to re-evaluate the evidence for the long-standing idea that the Badarian was in fact the first farmers of the Nile Valley, also in terms of their perceived exchange and trade networks. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Ancient Near Eastern Studies)

Text in English / This study indicates the strong link between the belief in the afterlife and the inception of testamentary dispositions in ancient Egypt. To understand law, and specifically succession law, the importance of religion must be understood. Religion was embedded in society. One of the most important principles of religion was maat, which formed the basis for law. The living and dead formed part of the same community. The belief in the afterlife implied an immortality, an eternal continuation of life. There was a moral relationship between the dead and living and the deceased was dependent on sustenance after death. There was an obligation for the family to sustain the deceased, but this piety diminished and a need arose to make arrangements for sustenance prior to death. This led to the inception of the testamentary disposition document. The purpose of succession law is to maintain and strengthen the socio-economic structure in society and it therefore fulfils a social function. At the heart is the nuclear family. In ancient Egypt two systems of succession law developed: customary intestate succession and testate succession (by way of testamentary disposition). Different types of documents were used in ancient Egypt to serve the purpose of a testamentary disposition, such as the pious foundation and the imyt-pr. Important concepts and elements of succession law from the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms are identified and discussed. These include fideicommissum, trusts, usufruct, habitatio, legacies, the importance to indicate ownership of property, etc. The testamentary disposition documents of ancient Egypt must be one of the earliest examples of testate succession law. The Egyptian testamentary disposition, with its concepts and elements of succession law, was established centuries before Rome and Roman law were established. The resemblance to our modern-day wills and testaments through our Roman testate succession law heritage is remarkable. / Classics and World Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Ancient Near Eastern Studies)

1 The Pyramid Complex of Djedkare-Isesi at South Saqqara and its Decorative Program Mohamed Megahed Abstract The present thesis aims to publish pyramid complex of King Djedkare and its decorative program for the first time. The rule of King Djedkare was very significant and many important changes happened in the Egyptian state during his time. He is known to have reorganized the royal mortuary cults of his predecessors in Abusir; the remains of the papyrus archives discovered in three mortuary temples in Abusir are to a great extent related to this reorganization, as most of the preserved papyrus fragments come from the time of this king. Besides the other available evidence from his reign, numerous finds were discovered in the king's pyramid complex, which have, however, not been published until now. These include fragments of relief decoration and the present study thus can help us better understand and interpret the development of royal relief at the end of the Fifth Dynasty. The thesis is divided into five chapters, the first chapter provides a guideline to the thesis and its catalogue, and presents an up to date state of research on the decoration of the royal mortuary complexes of the Old Kingdom. Another section in this chapter is devoted to the methods that the author followed during his...

Kheperkarê Sésostris Ier est le deuxième souverain de la 12ème dynastie (vers 1958 – 1913 avant notre ère). Son règne, globalement bien documenté, a vu la (re)construction de plusieurs des principaux sanctuaires divins d’Égypte, dont ceux d’Amon-Rê à Karnak et d’Atoum à Héliopolis, et est à l’origine d’œuvres littéraires de première importance – certaines étant par ailleurs analysées en tant que pièces de propagande en faveur du roi après l’assassinat de son père, le pharaon Amenemhat Ier. Enfin, cette période est marquée par de nombreuses expéditions, militaires ou non, à destination de la Nubie ou des gisements de pierre et de minerais.<p>Si la bibliographie relative à Sésostris Ier est loin d’être négligeable, tant en qualité qu’en quantité, force est de constater que certains aspects de son règne ont été négligés dans les études précédentes, non sans influencer notre perception de celui-ci et tout particulièrement notre connaissance de la chronologie et des différentes réalisations statuaires du souverain.<p><p>La première partie de la présente thèse de doctorat ambitionne donc de préciser l’historique du règne de Sésostris Ier dans une perspective diachronique, et met en œuvre des ressources documentaires appartenant tant à la sphère royale qu’à celle des particuliers. Elle vise à établir le continuum temporel des diverses entreprises royales, et leur synchronisme éventuel, qu’il s’agisse du parachèvement de la conquête de la Nubie dans la deuxième décennie de son règne, de la construction de son complexe funéraire à Licht Sud dans la première moitié de celui-ci ou des multiples (re)fondations de sanctuaire, voir des expéditions vers les carrières du désert oriental durant les 45 années passées par Sésostris Ier sur le trône du Double Pays. C’est enfin l’occasion de définir une trame chronologique – malheureusement partielle – pour les œuvres statuaires du pharaon.<p>La deuxième partie de cette étude est en effet consacrée à la statuaire royale de Sésostris Ier, et constitue un catalogue raisonné et critique inédit de quelques 87 pièces, complètes ou fragmentaires. Le catalogue tâche de sérier les statues suivant que leur appartenance au règne de Sésostris Ier me semble certifiée (C), que je les attribue personnellement à celui-ci (A), que leur datation de ce règne soit problématique (P), ou que les pièces se réduisent à des fragments iconographiquement peu signifiants (Fr). une étude typologique des regalia et des attitudes du souverain prolonge le catalogue, de même qu’une évocation de la polychromie des œuvres.<p>La troisième et dernière partie est consacrée à l’étude critique des réalisations architecturales de Sésostris Ier et à l’insertion des œuvres statuaires dans ces espaces construits. Elle distingue les contextes proprement égyptiens, répartis entre Éléphantine et Bubastis, et les sites extérieurs à l’Égypte stricto sensu, à savoir la Basse Nubie et le Sinaï. Bien que reposant le plus souvent sur les seules sources publiées, qu’elles soient le résultat de fouilles archéologiques ou de documents contemporains du règne, l’interprétation de ces vestiges permet néanmoins d’apporter un éclairage nouveau sur plusieurs sanctuaires ou parties d’édifices, voire de proposer des solutions alternatives quant aux restitutions des bâtiments, en ce compris la localisation des statues du roi.<p><p>Cette étude de la statuaire de Sésostris Ier et de ses contextes historiques et architecturaux offre un regard neuf sur une documentation régulièrement utilisée mais peu étudiée et peu analysée. Les principaux apports inédits concernent le canevas événementiel diachronique du règne et la réalisation d’un corpus statuaire critique du deuxième souverain de la 12ème dynastie. / Doctorat en Histoire, art et archéologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished