Christopher Krey | University Advancement | 31 January 2006Brigham Young University Hawaii is co-hosting its first-ever International Conference of Egyptology on February 1-4, 2006. The conference, entitled Evolving Egypt: Innovation, Appropriation, and Reinterpretation in Ancient Egypt, brings scholars and students of Egyptology from all around the world together to discuss issues of ancient Egypt.
Recognizing that ancient Egypt often holds "a reputation for being a static place," conference organizers Dr. Kerry Muhlestein and Dr. John Gee sought to explore and recognize the longevity of ancient Egyptian culture through its "ability to reinterpret its own tradition and to adapt elements from other cultures." In response to their call for papers, a broad field of Egyptologists from around the world responded and will soon come together to discuss how ancient Egyptian culture behaved in the context of its own epoch.
“The Art Institute of Chicago, University of Liverpool, University of Toronto, Université de Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), Macquerie University (Australia) — scholars from all around the world will be coming to present their work,” said Muhlestein, an Assistant Professor of Religious Educations and History at BYU-Hawaii, “and we expect to see some of their presented research published.”
Participants at the conference will present papers on a variety of topics, including Egyptian art, history, industry, language, and religion as evolving processes. The group of Egyptologists will also discuss guidelines for studying ancient Egypt as an evolving entity.
"We agreed on this theme because we would like to learn more about this subject," Muhlestein explained. "It's an understudied area of Egyptology—one that experts are paying more attention to." A point well-evidenced when judging from the diverse backgrounds of those registered to attend.
In addition to stimulating discussion on this topic of scholarship, the co-sponsoring institutions (BYU and BYU-Hawaii) hope to raise awareness within the Egyptological community about the interest and dedication both BYU and BYU-Hawaii have for the field of study.
Dr. Muhlestein received a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of California, Los Angeles. His counterpart and co-organizer, Dr. John Gee, is the William "Bill" Gay Associate Research Professor of Egyptology at the Institute for the Study and Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts at BYU.
“Having the conference co-sponsored by both BYU and BYU-Hawaii will let scholars know that we’re serious Egyptologists here, ready and able to participate in the Egyptological community,” Muhlestein continued.
That message seems to be more easily recognized as of late, with both universities getting heavily involved in two large religious and/or historical events within the past two months. The latter being the conference, while the first was January arrival of the world-famous Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit, on display now at the Laie Temple Visitor's Center. The simultaneous arrival of both events has helped put BYU-Hawaii on the map in terms of ancient Mediterranean scholarship.
After registration on Wednesday, the conference will officially convene Thursday morning with an authentic Powhiri ceremony at the Polynesian Cultural Center Maori Village. The participants will then be welcomed by Eric B. Shumway, President of BYU-Hawaii and Les Steward, Assistant to the President of the PCC. Afterwards, Dr. Gee will read an introductory conference address by Dr. James P. Allen, Curator of the Department of Egyptian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The presentation of papers will commence Thursday afternoon at the Aloha Center Ballroom on the BYU-Hawaii campus. Lectures will continue in the Aloha Center Ballroom Friday and move to the McKay Little Theatre on Saturday.
Organizers of the conference hope students will take interest in the conference.
"We encourage students to attend a lecture where they can, being respectful and using good etiquette, of course."
Students are admonished to wait until the end of a presentation before they enter or exit the proceedings.