Nella collana “Egittologia” a cura di Pisa University Press
Siamo lieti di annunciare la pubblicazione di “Studies presented to Marilina Betrò”, sei volumi curati da Gianluca Miniaci, Christian Greco, Paolo Del Vesco, Mattia Mancini e Cristina Alù ed editi da Pisa University Press per la collana “Egittologia”.
Le pubblicazioni sono state donate alla Prof.ssa Marilina Betrò, in occasione delle celebrazioni in suo onore che si sono tenute il 28 ottobre 2024 per dimostrarle stima e gratitudine per il suo grande contributo all’Egittologia e agli Studi Orientali.
I volumi comprendono 100 contributi scritti da allievi, colleghi e amici della Prof.ssa Betrò su tutti gli aspetti della ricerca egittologica che rientrano nei numerosi interessi coperti durante la sua carriera accademica. Gli articoli sono organizzati su base tematica secondo gli indici consultabili nei seguenti link:
Vol. 1 – The Sacred and the Secular in the Theban Necropolis
The Theban Necropolis is one of Egypt’s most captivating archaeological sites. Stretching almost 7 kilometers from north to south on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, it occupies a broad strip of land between the cultivated fields and the desert mountains and valleys. This extensive site encompasses hundreds of private and royal tombs, monumental temples, smaller chapels and shrines, as well as various settlements.
The collected papers, presented to prof. Marilina Betrò, explore diverse aspects of life in the necropolis, including the religious beliefs and rituals of high-ranking officials and priests, the workshops producing funerary objects, and the plundering and reusing of earlier tombs. These studies seek to understand and recreate this intricate ancient landscape.
Vol. 2 – A Matter of Religions: Gods and People in Ancient Egypt
Religious phenomena can be considered a historical product, mediated by indirect forms, texts, images, objects, and different actors, people, animals, things, and nature.
Permeated by a countless panoply of gods, whose identity syncretically merged and divided into different and akin entities, the supernatural seamlessly fuses with daily life matters, and religions are not separable nor meant to be ontologically separated from political, economic, and social questions.
The volume of 18 papers, presented to prof. Marilina Betrò, aims to explore the complex dimensions of Egyptian religions, fostering a dialogue between gods, landscapes, animals, and people.
Vol. 3 – Digging for Ancient Egypt and Egyptology in the Archives
Modern Egyptology encompasses more than just archaeological excavations, the study of antiquities, and bibliographic research. It also relies on the invaluable insights gleaned from manuscripts left by travelers, collectors, and scholars of the past.
Archives, libraries, and museums preserve a boundless heritage of documents essential for reconstructing the history of ancient Egypt and the evolution of the discipline itself.
This volume, presented to prof. Marilina Betrò, contains articles exploring previously unpublished letters, notes, diaries, and research materials from the 17th to the first decades of the 20th century, offering precious insights into historical evidence that might otherwise have been lost.
Vol. 4 – The Materiality of Ancient Egypt: Objects and Museums
The artifacts housed in museums wield undeniable power, embodying complex and multifaceted histories encompassing their creation, use, modification, reuse, abandonment, rediscovery, analysis, interpretation, display, and reception.
The essays collected in this volume, presented to prof. Marilina Betrò, interweave the many stories concealed within museum objects and the archives of the collections that currently safeguard them.
This fosters an ongoing conversation between ancient materials, texts, religious beliefs, and modern scholarship and interpretation.
Vol. 5 – Egypt in Ancient and Modern Tales, Travels and Explorations
Egypt has long captivated the imagination through its literature, tales, and accounts from ancient and modern explorers. In antiquity, it served as the realm of pharaohs, steeped in myths that intertwined gods and humanity. Herodotus marveled at its wonders, while Napoleon’s expedition unearthed its mysteries.
The stories passed down to us also offer insights into various facets of everyday life in ancient Egypt–human emotions, connection with nature, and the desire to discover unknown lands.
This volume, presented to prof. Marilina Betrò, delves into Egypt’s history, weaving ancient and modern narratives. It explores Egypt not only as a land of wonders but also as a place that resonates with its ancient societies and their perspectives.
Vol. 6 – Ancient Egypt and the Surrounding World: Contact, Trade, and Influence
The stark contrast of the desert, mountains, seas, and cataracts surrounding the fertile river valley creates a dramatic separation between Egypt and the rest of the world. Despite this physical – often pretended – barrier, Egypt has historically been deeply connected to the cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean, Western Asia, and Northeast Africa. These interactions have led to a complex intermingling of culture, materials, religions, ideas, and iconography, resulting in the emergence of new forms of cultural identity.
The papers of this volume, presented to prof. Marilina Betrò, aim to explore various aspects of these interactions, spanning from the 3rd millennium BC to Roman and Medieval times, encompassing regions from Mesopotamia to the Levant, from Anatolia to the Aegean, and from the Roman Empire to Syria.
Per maggiori informazioni si rimanda al sito di Pisa University Press.