Classics lunchtime talk

In 1890 the Egypt Exploration Fund began an ambitious project to epigraphically record all known monuments of Egypt. The Archaeological Survey of Egypt was to revise this initial plan, and achieved much since its foundation. An array of publications, epigraphic rolls, watercolours, and photographs represent several monuments that have since been recorded for future generations. Within this collection of material, a roll of film recorded in 1949 by Michael Apted preserves some sense of the daily life at an expedition to the rock-cut tombs of Meir in Middle Egypt. This cemetery served the 14th nome of Egypt from the 6th to 12th Dynasties, serving as burial place for those residing at the site of Cusae around 4000 years ago. Their elaborate tombs were recorded from 1912 until 1950 by Aylward Blackman and published in six volumes by the Egypt Exploration Society who funded the work. This talk will present the film footage taken by Apted and show it alongside some of his colour slides and lecture transcripts that are now preserved in the Society’s archives. The history of the cemetery will be briefly covered as well as the history of the Society, which celebrates its 135th anniversary in 2017.