Please join us on Wednesday, May 22, for the next presentation in the 2024 Rundle Foundation for Egyptian Archaeology lecture series. The paper will be presented by Dr Martin Odler from Newcastle University (UK), and is entitled: "Recent developments in the research of ancient Egyptian copper metallurgy".

Over the last decade, there has been an upsurge in research on ancient Egyptian copper metallurgy and metal objects, clarifying many unanswered questions, but also producing new ones. In the lecture, the focus will be on the use of copper by ancient Egyptians and Nubians, from the Predynastic through the Early Dynastic Period, Old and Middle Kingdoms, and until the end of the Second Intermediate Period (c. 4000–1600 BC). The main practical material of these eras was arsenical copper, and although several analytical programmes identified many such artefacts, the practical consequences of its use were never investigated in detail in ancient Egypt and Nubia.

Popular notions of Egyptian “primitive” technology are not based on facts, and the lecture will present advances in four major parts of the ancient Egyptian chaîne opératoire: initial procurement and processing of ore; storage and transactions with copper; artefact production, and artefact use. Finally, early results of the current postdoctoral project of the author will be presented: a project EgypToolWear – Metalwork Wear Analysis of Ancient Egyptian Tools, taking place at Newcastle University, under the guidance of Prof. Andrea Dolfini.

This is a free hybrid event, and no registration is required. For in-person attendance, note that the theatre is ramped for accessibility

Presented by the Australian Centre for Egyptology / Rundle Foundation for Egyptian Archaeology.

When: 5:30-6:30pm (refreshments from 5pm), Wednesday 22 May 2024

Where (in person): Macquarie University NSW: Building 23WW, Theatre 1

Where (onine): via Zoom - https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/86840977078

For more information: email A/Prof Linda Evans at linda.evans@mq.edu.au