Hatshpsut Project - the year is nearly over

Goodness knows what happened to 2011- it is quickly drawing to a close. As far as the Hatshepsut Project is concerned it has been a year of expansion. Now that we are on Blogger, Twitter and Facebook- the project is exactly where i want it to be.

When starting out- i simply didn't know what i was getting myself into. For any of you who are not bloggers- its a very good way of communicating information and meeting others with a common interest. Facebook has been an eye-opener for me. I do not own a mobile phone and never used Facebook until my wife set up the Hatshepsut Project Group. Since then- i am there more often than i would like to admit. With 205 members on Facebook (to date) - we are fortunate to have a great mix of people who are all helping my research.

From the input on Facebook- i have a good idea of the projects that will follow in the next 6 months or so. I am fully aware that i have a number of projects on the go at once, but different lines of enquiry have started to open up for me - and i will not ignore them.

We are not quite there with the museums. I believe we are up to 35, with approx. 5 more which i haven't yet reported about. I will post these and any others which come to light. The actual data input is really hard work at present. Rather than being a simple "copy and paste" exercise - there has been a great deal of independent research needed which has been both rewarding and exhausting. No more than 1,000 items have been added so far- with a number still waiting to be added.

Recent discussions on Facebook has given me more information on Private Collections of items relating directly or indirectly to Hatshepsut. I will soon start posting the findings. Then, as more collections make themselves known - updates will follow. I am considering how to log these items. The current idea would be to add them to the database under Museum "Private Collections". Due to the fact we are looking at the types of items which are today housed in museums- it would be a great shame if they were left out. They are still, after all, related to Hatshepsut.


Also i am trying to build a photographic archive, which will be made freely available. As with many of my current ideas- i will update once i have more to add.

The Hatshepsut Project will continue to grow. If i start to lose track of things i will be sure to ask for help. So far, having Rita Murray alongside me on Facebook has been a blessing. Rita takes off some of the pressure i was under previously and i am most grateful.

There is a good chance that the Hatshepsut Project may simply get too much for one person. As i try to devise more ways of expanding- i will keep one eye on diversity. I don't want to look at any one area for too long as time is an issue. If there is anyone out there looking for a project either for College/ University and you feel you may be able help out (whilst also aiding your studies)- please let me know. There is much i cannot do and many times i have reached the limits of my own capabilities.

I thank you all for your help over the last 18 months. We currently have around 1,000 visits to the the blog alone each month. You have kept me motivated and very well informed. Every email, comment, link, photo has been most useful to me. I am not sure where i will end up with this research, but i can assure you all we have many years of study to go.

Thank you, I am eternally grateful to you all.

Stuart