Monday 26 March 2012

Jacob S. Rogers and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

When i began my Hatshepsut interests i knew of her temple and her obelisks. Today i enjoy recording and sharing the artifacts that history has been kind enough to spare, relating directly and indirectly to Hatshepsut's lifetime. It is through the recording of artifacts that i stumbled upon a real "character" in Jacob S. Rogers.


MMA Article on Jacob S. Rogers


Our story begins with his death. He left a considerable sum of money to the MMA, under certain conditions, which the MMA went on to use well, as the article demonstrates.

Between 1911-1931, excavations conducted by Herbert Winlock of the MMA were undertaken at Deir el Bahri. During that period a great number of finds (hundreds) ended up in the MMA (as well as other museums).

The "Rogers Fund" helped fund the excavations. The results of the 20 years spent at Deir el Bahri provided the world with a great many finds. Statues, foundation deposits, temple relief and a great deal more. See for your self: MMA Hatshepsut archive. Of course, not all items at the MMA are from the Rogers Fund, but many relating to Hatshepsut are.


Today the MMA sports a room dedicated to Hatshepsut, showcasing some of the most fantastic statues recovered at Deir el Bahri by the museum during their 20 years. Many more items linked with Hatshepsut are on display elsewhere in the museum and in storage.


Regards,
Stuart

Saturday 3 March 2012

Hatshepsut Project followers- how can the EES help you?

Whilst posts have been light on here for a while, those of you who are following/ contributing to our Facebook Group, "Hatshepsut Project" will notice that i remain active online. Once i am back to full posting- i will create some form of summary of progress on Facebook. The Facebook Group is an extension to this blog and not intended to be a separate entity.

Christopher Naunton, Director at The Egypt Exploration Society is one of our group members on Facebook, providing help with a number of our discussions regarding the EES and Deir el Bahri - a relationship which began in the 1800s and remains intact today.


I was very excited for our group to receive the following post from Christopher:

"We at the EES have a very strong connection with Deir El-Bahri as you all know. There is a plaque at the temple commemorating the excavations (http://goo.gl/HYJtn), we have all the photographs taken at the time + correspondence and other archival material, and an awful lot of literature etc. in the library - if you haven't read it I especially recommend Vivian Davies' chapter on 'Thebes' in James, T G H (Ed.), Excavating in Egypt (http://goo.gl/5Mbzs) for Petrie's unsuccessful attempts to stop the EEF allowing Naville to work at the site. What would members of this group like to see the EES do for you? 
  • A day of lectures about Hatshepsut and the site? 
  • A visit to the EES archives and library? 
  • More resources online? 

I can't promise anything but it would be very good to know what would be helpful and interesting to you all!"


Firstly, thank you to Christopher and the EES for the above post. My own response so far is that i would first like to get the views of you- the followers and contributors to the Hatshepsut Project. I will collate all responses and will contact Christopher in a week  with the collective responses of the followers here, on Facebook and Twitter (which is linked to the posts on here). 

Regards,
Stuart