How ancient Egyptian objects were woven into stories and modern collectors' personal narratives
In short: Dr. Leire Olabarria explores how storytelling shaped the meaning of objects in ancient Egypt and how modern collectors continue to craft new narratives around these artifacts today.
In ancient Egyptian literature, objects were central to narrative, appearing in accounts ranging from the loss of a fish-shaped pendant by Snefru to the funerary equipment of Sinuhe, and even a stone racing boat belonging to Seth. These items were not mere props but were embedded in complex networks of cultural meaning.
The lecture also examines how modern collectors, such as the 19th-century figure Major William Joseph Myers, used storytelling to justify their personal connections to Egyptian antiquities. By analyzing these historical and contemporary practices, the talk highlights how narratives continue to influence our modern understanding and heritage of ancient Egypt.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Spotlight Lecture: Once upon a thing: storytelling and encounters with objects in ancient Egypt
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