Study Days 2023
Saturday December 9th and Sunday December 10th 2023
A 'Study Day' over two days. Postponed from July 2023. Both days will be scheduled to commence at 1300 UK time. Zoom meetings.
John Ward and Maria Nilsson: 'Gebel el Silsila Project.'
Southampton Ancient Egypt Society(SAES) is set to host a study weekend, in partnership with Friends of Silsila, dedicated to one of the largest archaeological sites in the whole of Egypt –Gebel el-Silsila.
Gebel el-Silsila is home to the ancient sandstone quarries used by pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Akhenaten. Many of the most important sites and monuments in Egypt were built using Silsila sandstone.
The concessions area, where the excavations are taking place, spans 12 square miles and 10,000 years of human activity.
The study weekend, on 9 and 10 December 2023, will cover ten years of digging; sifting; cleaning; drawing; research and a host of amazing discoveries.
The weekend will consist of 13 talks delivered virtually by members of the Gebel el-Silsila team, hosted by project leaders Dr Maria Nilsson and John Ward. Dr Abdel Moneim Saeed, Director General of Aswan and Nubia, will open the proceedings.
Running from 1pm – 5pm, each talk will last for 25 minutes with time for questions at the end. Subjects to be covered include, the cult of the god Sobek, the differences in socio-economic status in trauma and disease patterns, shrines and looters, amongst many others.
Maria and John are familiar faces having appeared on many National Geographic and Travel Channel documentaries. Together they lead an international team of more than 100 people. Each dig season they are joined on site by their young children Freja and Jonathan.
The two-day event costs £20 for SAES members and £25 for non-members. Payments can be made through PayPal, bank transfer or cheque. Payment details are available on the SAES website SouthamptonAncientEgyptSociety.co.uk in the News and Join Us sections.
The whole fee, which covers both days, will go to Friends of Silsila. SAES will also make a supplementary donation on behalf of each SAES member who signs up.
Programme for the 2 days;
SATURDAY 9th DECEMBER - LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF KHENY Start 1300 UK time
Hilary Wilson Introduction, Housekeeping, Programme Details 5 minutes
Dr Abdul Moneim Saeed Welcome by Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities 5 minutes
01. Dr Nilsson & John Ward Welcome & Introduction to the Programme 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
02. John Ward Quarrying for the King, Quarries of Dynasty 18 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
03. Tricia Coletto Tomb ST34, (Looters in Kheny) 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
Comfort Break 20 minutes
04. Hubert van Verseveld Tomb ST10 a Little Spot on Google Earth 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
05. Ahmed Faraman Rock Inscriptions 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
06. Sarah Doherty Pottery & People at Silsila 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
07. Prof Barbara The Workers of Kheny (Osteo-Archaeological
Perspective 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
Plenary Session 30 minutes
END OF DAY 1
SUNDAY 10th DECEMBER - PEOPLE OF KHENY & THEIR BELIEFS Start 1300 UK time
Dr Nilsson & John Ward Welcome to Day 2 5 minutes
08. Dr Maria Nilsson Animals in Rock Art 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
09. Dr Nils Billing Naoi and Shrines 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
10. Dr Meamen Saad The Pure Water of Kheny, a Special Cult? 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
Comfort Break 20 minutes
11. Jo Derbyshire The Cult of Sobek & the Temples 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
12. Karan Thomas The Life of a Volunteer (pre-recorded) 25 minutes
Q & A 5 minutes
13. Dr Nilsson & John Ward CLOSING SESSION
Plans for Season 17, Q & A, Discussion 30 Minutes
END OF DAY 2
John Ward and Maria Nilsson are currently carrying out archaeological works at the vast New Kingdom necropolis of Gebel el-Silsila, south of Luxor on the River Nile, which includes fascinating historical sites such as a large family cemetery & the recently rediscovered Temple of Kheny. Swedish Archaeologist & Egyptologist Dr. Maria Nilsson has made numerous appearances on international TV, radio & print media to spread the word about the many exciting finds at Gebel el-Silsila, where she currently serves as Mission Director. Maria is a National Geographic Explorer & an Explorers Club Fellow. John Ward is a British archaeologist. Since 2012, John has served as Assistant Director of the dig site of Gebel el-Silsila. John is a familiar face in the world of media. He is a National Geographic Explorer & an Explorers Club Fellow.
The waiting room will open about 12.45 for a 13.00 start UK time for each of the two days.
Zoom Meeting Joining Instructions
To join the meetings on 9 and 10 December 2023 all you have to do is follow these steps:
1: Click/tap on the registration links you have been sent, one for each day. You will be asked to enter your name and email address to register for the meeting. Visitors please contact the Secretary at saesinfo55@gmail.com to obtain links.
2: If you have not already paid the meeting fee in advance, contact the Secretary at saesinfo55@gmail.com to arrange payment. Payments can be made by BACS transfer, through PayPal, or by cheque. Details on the website 'Join Us' page.
3: Look out for the meeting link (there is only one for both parts of the event) which will be sent during the week before the talks. You may need to check your junk or spam folders in case they go astray. If you have not received the link by the day before the meeting please try registering again or contact the Secretary. For reasons of security and copyright the meeting link should not be shared with anyone else.
Remember, the registration link you will be given are specific to the meeting on 9 and 10 December 2023. THE LINK ONLY WORKS FOR THIS EVENT. A new registration link will be issued for each future meeting.
