The Daily Lives of Ancient Egyptian Artists

Hana Navratilova, Fellow, Royal Historical Society, UK; Supernumerary Fellow, University of Oxford, Harris Manchester College

Jaroslav Černý (1898–1970) was a distinguished Egyptologist known for his groundbreaking work on the social and cultural history of ancient Egypt, particularly the community of artisans at Deir el-Medina, a village near the Valley of the Kings. His research on ostraca (pottery sherds and limestone flakes bearing written inscriptions) and Theban “graffiti” texts is fundamental for understanding the daily lives, literacy, administration, and religious practices of ancient Egyptian artisans. In this lecture, Hana Navratilova will explore Černý’s lifelong research at Deir el-Medina, his groundbreaking studies of texts, artifacts, and the Western Theban landscape, and his indelible mark on twentieth-century Egyptology.

Free admission. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Presented by the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture.

Photo: Detail of Ipuy and Wife Receive Offerings from Their Children (substantially restored), facsimile (tempera on paper) by Norman de Garis Davies (1865–1941); Rogers Fund, 1930, 30.4.114; The Metropolitan Museum of Art CC0

The original is from Deir el-Medina, New Kingdom, Ramesside,Dynasty: Dynasty 19, Reign: reign of Ramesses II, ca. 1279–1213 B.C.E.