DEPT.

OF ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN & NEAR EASTERN STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
AMNE 371 | ARTH 325 Winter 2023 Term 2
ANCIENT EGYPT:
THE ARCHAEOLOGY of the LAND of the PHARAOHS

Instructor: Kevin D. Fisher (pronouns: he/him)

Department of Ancient Mediterranean and Near
Eastern Studies (kevin.fisher@ubc.ca)

Teaching Assistant: Kaylyn Lehmann

(kcleh@student.ubc.ca)

Office Hours: Monday 2:00-3:00pm in Buchanan

C218 or by appointment in on Zoom
Meetings: MWF at 12:00am–1:00pm in Frederic
Lasserre 102

We acknowledge that UBC’s Point Grey Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and
unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The land it is situated on has
always been a place of learning for the Musqueam people, who for millennia have passed on
their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next on this site.

What we’ll do in this course: Egypt has fascinated both scholars and the general public
since ancient times, and not without good reason. It is one of the earliest civilizations and,
despite its eventual conquest by a succession of imperial powers, it survived for millennia,
influencing the art, architecture, and culture of neighbours and conquerors alike. We will, of
course, learn about mummies, pyramids, and famous pharaohs like the female ruler Hatshepsut,
and the so-called “heretic king” Akhenaten and his monotheistic religion—but these tell only
part of the story. In this course we’ll use the material remains the Egyptians left behind to trace
the rise, development, and occasional decline of Egypt from its origins in the Palaeolithic period
through to its incorporation into the Roman Empire. You’ll gain an understanding of:
 the transition from hunter-gatherer to farmer in the Nile Valley during the Neolithic Period;
 the rise and consolidation of a centralized Egyptian state under the first pharaohs,
culminating in the Old Kingdom—a period famous for the construction of the first
pyramids;
 achievements in art and literature during the Middle Kingdom;
 Egypt’s emergence as an imperial superpower in the New Kingdom and its military,
diplomatic and economic relationships with its subjects and rivals;
 the conquest of Egypt by a series of foreign powers (Nubia, Assyria, Persia, Alexander the
Great, and Rome) and its effects on both conqueror and conquered;
 the development of Egyptian archaeology from early treasure hunters and antiquarians
through the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb by Howard Carter, to modern scientific
investigations; and
 the reception and role of ancient Egypt today, from its uses for political purposes and
tourism in modern Egypt to its use (and abuse) in pseudo-archaeology and Hollywood
movies, and ongoing threats to its cultural heritage.
In exploring these themes, we’ll look at the incredible material record recovered by
archaeologists (and others) and how it changed through time, from the monumental tombs,
temples, and statues erected by powerful pharaohs, to the ceramics, tools, and houses used in
the daily lives of average Egyptians. From this evidence, we’ll examine the structure of ancient
Egyptian society from pharaoh to peasant, including issues of gender and race; we’ll look at the
organization of the economy and the Egyptian’s technological achievements; and we’ll
investigate Egyptian religion and myth, including beliefs about life and death and how those
influenced burial practices. While we will use the rich array of historical and literary sources
left behind by the Egyptians to help us understand the material record, these sources will be
emphasized more in AMNE 312 History of Ancient Egypt.

Course Objectives: The course objectives are first, to familiarize you with the material
culture and society of the ancient Egyptians from the Palaeolithic through Roman periods, and
secondly, to introduce you to the methods and challenges of archaeological inquiry and
interpretation in the context of ancient Egypt. Your course work should help you develop skills
in critical thinking and research, and their effective expression in academic writing and
participation in online discussions. You’ll also learn the basics of the 3D modeling and how it
can help us investigate ancient Egyptian society, while gaining a useful transferrable skill.

Course Structure: As per UBC directives, the first two weeks of lecture will be held at the
regularly scheduled time on Zoom (see our Canvas site for links). Presumably we’ll shift to in-
person classes after that. Efforts will be made to record the lectures for those who can’t make
the live session due to COVID-19 reasons (illness or isolation requirements) or other
emergencies—BUT they’re not a substitute for attending class. Recordings are for
your academic purpose within this particular course, and cannot be shared or copied
without explicit permission of the instructor.
There will also be a General Discussion set up on Canvas that you can use to ask
questions or chat with each other about the course. If there is sufficient demand, we can start
set up a site on another platform (e.g., Discord).

ASSESSMENTS OF LEARNING:

Mid-term Test (Feb. 14) 15%

Covers content of course, focusing on lecture material, up to date of test. A review guide with
information on the format will be provided closer to the date. Will be held in-person during
class time.

Discussion Participation (online; closes Mar. 27) 20%

There will be 6 discussion topics, each based on a particular reading or two (there will be a
separate page for each one under “Discussions” on Canvas). For four (4) of the topics,
students will be required to post their own short take on the topic (150-200 words each) and
post a response (50-100 words) to someone else’s post. Each of the four discussions will be

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worth 10 points (so 40 total). Note that proper conversational English (including correct
spelling and grammar) is expected. Each discussion will be graded based on:
 the completion of the required post and response (meeting the required word limits);
 the originality and quality of your initial post and how effectively it engages with the
readings, and
 how well your response engages with your colleague’s post.
Pay close attention to the closing dates for the discussions. Late submissions for
these will not be accepted. Things you can write about include (but are not limited to):
 Is the author’s argument effective? Why or why not?
 What is innovative (or not) about the author’s approach? Could it be applied to other
cases?
 How convincing is the evidence the author uses?
 How does the article change your perspective or run counter to other views on the
topic it addresses?
 What is the significance of the article in terms of our understanding of society in the
ancient Near East?
 Comparisons with other articles or studies covered in class (or that you are aware of
from your own studies or research; including those about other regions or cultures).
More specific ideas will be provided under each individual discussion.

3D Modeling of An Egyptian House (due April 8) 35%

A separate handout will be provided but in this assignment. You’ll create your own digital 3D
model of an ancient Egyptian house using Trimble SketchUp (no previous experience required!)
and write a short essay on what insights the model provides into Egyptian houses and what
houses can tell us about Egyptian society.

Final Examination 30%

Covers material after the midterm test only. A review guide with information on the format
will be provided closer to the date. Will be written in person during the scheduled exam
period.

Grades: 90-100 = A+; 85-89 = A; 80-84 = A-; 76-79 = B+; 72-75 = B; 68-71= B-; 64-67 = C+; 60-
63 = C; 55-59 = C-; 50-54 = D; 0-49 = F (Fail)

Course Canvas website: We will use a course website administered through UBC’s Canvas
learning management system. Any Zoom lectures, lecture recordings, and pdfs of the slides, as well
as the course syllabus, assignments, and any readings outside of the textbook will be uploaded to
the site on a regular basis. The discussions will be facilitated on Canvas and you will use it to
access and upload your exams and 3D modelling project. The instructor will also use the site to
post announcements, so it should be checked regularly.

Readings: Most of the lecture readings are from the required text book (available through the
UBC Bookstore):
Bard, Kathryn A. 2015. An Introduction to the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt. 2nd
edition. Blackwell.

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Other assigned readings will be available electronically through the UBC Library or on the course
Canvas site as downloadable pdf files.

COURSE POLICIES

We (the instructor and teaching assistant, the AMNE Department, and UBC) are
committed to your well-being and can put you in touch with people and resources
to help you in any aspect of your life as a student.

If you’re having difficulties with any aspect of the course, you should speak with
your instructor as soon as possible. Requests for in-term academic concession will
be handled on a case-by-case basis and must be for a compelling reason (e.g.,
severe illness; family emergency). For more serious ongoing issues, students
should contact Arts Advising in order to apply for formal academic concession.

If you are sick, it is important that you stay home. If you miss class because of illness:
 Make a connection early in the term to another student or a group of students in the class.
You can help each other by sharing notes. If you don’t yet know anyone in the class, post
on the discussion forum to connect with other students.
 Consult the class resources on Canvas, including posted slides.
 Meet with the TA or instructor online during office hours.
 If you are concerned that you will miss a key activity due to illness, contact the TA or
instructor to discuss.

If you are feeling ill and cannot attend class for a midterm or in-class assessment,
please email the instructor right away. If you arrive for a test and you are clearly ill, we
will make alternate arrangements with you. It is better to email ahead of time and not attend.
If you are feeling ill at the time of a final exam, do not attend the exam. You must apply for
deferred standing (an academic concession) through Arts Academic Advising. Students who are
granted deferred standing (SD) will write the final exam/assignment at a later date.

Support for Student Wellbeing: UBC provides resources to support student health and
wellbeing but recognizes that sometimes crises arise and so there are additional resources to
access including those for survivors of sexual violence. UBC values respect for the person and
ideas of all members of the academic community. Harassment and discrimination are not
tolerated nor is suppression of academic freedom. UBC provides appropriate accommodation
for students with disabilities and for religious observances. UBC values academic honesty and
students are expected to acknowledge the ideas generated by others and to uphold the highest
academic standards in all of their actions.

Students with Disabilities: The University has a wide variety of services, including several
forms of special assistance, designed to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.
You are encouraged to contact UBC’s Centre for Accessibility office for more information or
to set up an appointment.

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Statement on Academic Integrity: Each student in this course is expected to abide by
UBC’s policies on academic integrity “All UBC students are expected to behave as honest and
responsible members of an academic community. Breach of those expectations or failure to
follow the appropriate policies, principles, rules, and guidelines of the University with respect to
academic honesty may result in disciplinary action. It is the student's obligation to inform
himself or herself of the applicable standards for academic honesty.”
Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit (including tests,
papers and exams) must be the student’s own work. All outside assistance should be
acknowledged, and the student's academic position truthfully reported at all times. The use of a
computer in no way modifies the standards for academic integrity. Unauthorized use of
Chat GPT or similar online resources in the creation of assignments or on exams is
strictly prohibited. You should also check out this link for further information on academic
misconduct and how to avoid plagiarism (basically, failing to give proper acknowledgement for
use of someone else’s ideas or work). See also: http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/academic-
integrity/

Being In Class
It’s important that we strive for a mutually supportive and respectful class environment.
 Arrive to class on time.
 No use of cell phones for calling or texting. Any student using a phone in class will be
asked to leave and will not be allowed to return to that class meeting.
 Laptops and tablets are permitted in class for taking notes, but not other uses (social
media, gaming, email, etc.).
 Don’t talk if someone else is talking.
 We’ll be dealing with a lot of controversial topics in this class. Feel free to disagree with
your fellow classmates, but do so in a supportive and respectful manner, whether
you’re in person or online.

For questions outside of class time, the Teaching Assistant, Kaylyn Lehmann
(kcleh@student.ubc.ca) should be your first contact. Both Kaylyn and Kevin are
happy to meet in person or set up a meeting via Zoom by appointment.

COURSE SCHEDULE and READINGS

DATE TOPICS REQUIRED READINGS

WEEK 1
Monday Jan. Course Introduction; Overview of what we’ll cover Bard, Chapter 1
8
From Treasure Hunters to Scientists: Introduction
to Egyptian Archaeology
Wednesday From Treasure Hunters to Scientists: Introduction
Jan. 10 to Egyptian Archaeology (cont’d.)

Friday Egyptian Archaeology Today

Jan. 12
WEEK 2

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Monday Jan. Egyptian Archaeology Today (cont’d.) Bard, Chapter 2
15
Wednesday Ancient Egyptian Language and Historical Sources Bard, Chapter 3
Jan. 17
Friday Ancient Egyptian Language and Historical Sources
Jan. 19 (cont’d.)

WEEK 3
Monday Jan. The Environment of Ancient Egypt—Gift of the Nile Bard, Chapter 4
22

Tuesday *7:30pm in BUCH A (Room TBA). Archaeological

Jan. 23 Institute of America lecture by Kevin on his
project in Cyprus: "Kalavasos and Maroni
Revisited: New Discoveries at Two Late
Bronze Age Cities on Cyprus ". It would be
great to see you there!
Wednesday Egypt Before the Pharaohs: the Paleolithic and
Jan. 24 Neolithic
Friday Understanding Social Complexity
Jan. 26
WEEK 4
Monday Jan. The Rise of an Early State: Predynastic and Early Bard, Chapter 5
29 Dynastic Periods
Wednesday Predynastic and Early Dynastic Periods (cont’d.) Discussion 1 Readings
Jan. 31

Friday Egyptian Kingship and Religion

Feb. 2
WEEK 5
Monday Egyptian Kingship and Religion (cont’d.) Bard, Chapter 6
Feb. 5
Wednesday Understanding Monumental Architecture
Feb. 7
Friday Pyramid Builders—The Old Kingdom
Feb. 9
WEEK 6
Tuesday Pyramid Builders—The Old Kingdom (cont’d.) Discussion 2 Readings
Feb. 12
Wednesday *Midterm Test in class*
Feb. 14
Friday Pyramid Builders—The Old Kingdom (cont’d.); the
Feb. 16 First Intermediate Period
Feb. 19-23 READING WEEK
WEEK 7

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Monday Renaissance—The Middle Kingdom Bard, Chapter 7
Feb. 26
Wednesday The Middle Kingdom (cont’d.)
Feb. 28
Friday The Second Intermediate Period
Mar. 1
WEEK 8
Monday Imperial Glory—The Early New Kingdom Bard, Chapter 8, pp. 225-
Mar. 4 240
Wednesday The Early New Kingdom (cont’d.)
Mar. 6
Friday Akhenaten and the Amarna Period Bard, Chapter 8, pp. 240-
Mar. 8 253
WEEK 9
Monday Akhenaten and the Amarna Period (cont’d.)
Mar. 11
Wednesday Running an Empire—Warfare Diplomacy & Trade Discussion 3 Readings on
Mar. 13 the Amarna letters
Friday Running an Empire—Warfare Diplomacy & Trade Bard, Chapter 8, pp. 254-
Mar. 15 (cont’d.) 284
WEEK 10
Monday Temples, Tombs, and the Valley of the Kings Excerpt from Carter, H.
Mar. 18 1923. The Tomb of Tut-ankh-
Amen.
Wednesday Temples, Tombs, and the Valley of the Kings Discussion 4 Readings
Mar. 20 (cont’d.)
Friday The Late New Kingdom and the End of the Bronze
Mar. 22 Age
WEEK 11
Monday A Last Revival?—The Third Intermediate Period and Bard, Chapter 9
Mar. 25 Late Periods
Wednesday Ptolemaic Egypt Bard, Chapter 10
Mar. 27 *Class Discussions Closed end of day*
Friday Good Friday (no classes)
Mar. 29
WEEK 12
Monday Easter Monday (no classes)
April 1
Wednesday Egypt under the Caesars; Egyptian influences on
April 3 Rome
Friday April Ancient Egypt in the Modern World: Politics, Bard, Chapter 11
5 Heritage, and Pseudoarchaeology Discussion 5 and 6 Readings
WEEK 13
Monday Ancient Egypt in the Modern World (cont’d.)
April 8 *3D Modelling Project Due*
Wednesday Finish Lectures

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April 10
Friday Course Wrap-up; discuss Final Exam
April 12
April 16- Final Exam Period
27

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