Contesting Antiquity in Egypt: Archaeologies, Museums, and the Struggle for Identities from World War 1 to Nasser

The sensational discovery in 1922 of Tutankhamun's tomb, close on the heels of Britain's declaration of Egyptian independence, accelerated the growth in Egypt of both Egyptology as a formal discipline and of 'pharaonism'—popular interest in ancient Egypt—as an inspiration in the national struggle for full independence. Emphasizing the three decades from 1922 until Nasser's revolution in 1952, this follow-up to Whose Pharaohs? looks at the ways in which Egypt developed its own archaeologies—ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic. Each of these four archaeologies had given birth to, and grown up around, a major antiquities museum in Egypt. Later, Cairo, Alexandria, and Ain Shams universities also joined in shaping these disciplines. The closely-related history of tourism—including Thomas Cook & Son, Nile steamers, and the famous Shepheard's Hotel—also receives careful attention. For Egyptians, developing their own expertise in fields dominated by the French, Germans, and British was often also an expression of nationalism. Egyptians who valued archaeology also had to defend it against the minority of their compatriots for whom pharaonic antiquity represented only alien and idolatrous darkness before the dawning of Islam. In 1952, Nasser's revolution put an end to ninety-four years of French direction of the Egyptian Antiquities Service, and four years later the Suez War rang down the curtain on British colonialism in Egypt. The history of the struggles for control over Egypt's antiquities, and their repercussions, during a period of intense national ferment The sensational discovery in 1922 of Tutankhamun's tomb, close on the heels of Britain's declaration of Egyptian independence, accelerated the growth in Egypt of both Egyptology as a formal discipline and of ‘pharaonism'—popular interest in ancient Egypt—as an inspiration in the struggle for full independence. Emphasizing the three decades from 1922 until Nasser's revolution in 1952, this compelling follow-up to Whose Pharaohs? looks at the ways in which Egypt developed its own archaeologies—Islamic, Coptic, and Greco-Roman, as well as the more dominant ancient Egyptian. Each of these four archaeologies had given birth to, and grown up around, a major antiquities museum in Egypt. Later, Cairo, Alexandria, and Ain Shams universities joined in shaping these fields. Contesting Antiquity in Egypt brings all four disciplines, as well as the closely related history of tourism, together in a single engaging framework. Throughout this semi-colonial era, the British fought a prolonged rearguard action to retain control of the country while the French continued to dominate the Antiquities Service, as they had since 1858. Traditional accounts highlight the role of European and American archaeologists in discovering and interpreting Egypt's long past. Donald Reid redresses the balance by also paying close attention to the lives and careers of often-neglected Egyptian specialists. He draws attention not only to the contests between westerners and Egyptians over the control of antiquities, but also to passionate debates among Egyptians themselves over pharaonism in relation to Islam and Arabism during a critical period of nascent nationalism. Drawing on rich archival and published sources, extensive interviews, and material objects ranging from statues and murals to photographs and postage stamps, this comprehensive study by one of the leading scholars in the field will make fascinating reading for scholars and students of Middle East history, archaeology, politics, and museum and heritage studies, as well as for the interested lay reader. The Sensational Discovery In 1922 Of Tutankhamun's Tomb, Close On The Heels Of Britain's Declaration Of Egyptian Independence, Accelerated The Growth In Egypt Of Both Egyptology As A Formal Discipline And Of 'pharaonism'-popular Interest In Ancient Egypt - As An Inspiration In The Struggle For Full Independence. Emphasizing The Three Decades From 1922 Until Nasser's Revolution In 1952, This Book Looks At The Ways In Which Egypt Developed Its Own Archaeologies - Islamic, Coptic, And Greco-roman, As Well As The More Dominant Ancient Egyptian. Egyptology And Pharaonism To 1930. Egyptology And Pharaonism In Egypt Before Tutankhamun -- Nationalizing Tutankhamun -- Western Egyptology In Egypt In The Wake Of Tutankhamun, 1922-1930 -- Egyptian Egyptology And Pharaonism In The Wake Of Tutankamon, 1922- 1930 -- Tourism And Islamic, Coptic, And Greco-roman Archaeologies. Consuming Antiquity : Western Tourism Between Two Revolutions, 1919-1952 -- In The Shadow Of Egyptology Islamic Art And Archaeology To 1952 -- Copts And Archaeology : Sons Of Saint Mark/sons Of The Pharaons -- Alexandria, Egypt, And The Greco-roman Heritage -- Egyptology And Pharaonism To Nasser's Revolution. Contesting Egyptology In The 1930s -- Pharaonism And Its Challengers In The 1930s And 1940s -- Egyptology In The Twilight Of Empire And Monarchy, 1939-1952. Donald Malcom Reid. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Title page 4 Copyright page 5 Contents 8 Part One 40 Part Two 158 Part Three 284 Index 504