How the struggle for Egyptian independence reshaped the study of the Pharaohs
Explore the intersection of archaeology and nationalism in this lecture. Discover how the transition from British rule to the Nasser era transformed Egypt's control over its own ancient heritage.
This lecture examines the period between 1922 and 1952, tracing how Egyptology evolved alongside the nation's fight for sovereignty. Following the 1919 revolt led by Saad Zaghlul, Great Britain granted Egypt partial independence in 1922. This era was marked by a surge in nationalist sentiment, fueled significantly by the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon.
The presentation also details the shift in administrative power. For nearly a century, the Antiquities Service was directed by French officials, a trend that lasted from 1858 until Nasser's 1952 revolution. The lecture concludes by looking at how the Suez War victory four years later signaled the definitive end of European colonial influence in Egypt.
Source: Spotlight Lecture: Decolonisation and Egyptian Archaeology from Saad Zaghlul to Nasser 1922-1952
