Using Nefertari, the great royal wife of Ramesses II, as a case study, this lecture will explore the role of queenship in Ramesside Egypt. ‘Great of Praises,’ ‘Sweet of Love,’ Nefertari was clearly the first lady of the king, a position often held by the mother of the king. However, Nefertari, was preeminent in the reign of Ramesses II, having a temple dedicated to her at Abu Simbel and the largest and most decorated tomb created for her in the Place of Beauty (the Valley of the Queens). The iconography of these monuments and others will be studied in order to consider the divine associations of the queen and the roles she played in religious and civil ceremonies.
Joanne Backhouse completed her PhD at the University of Liverpool 2016. This examined figured ostraca from Deir el Medina, assessing their relationship to material culture. This focused on images of women in domestic settings. She is a lecturer in Continuing Education at the University of Liverpool and is also Chair of Wirral Ancient Egypt Society. In addition, Joanne teaches on zoom to a worldwide audience. Her research interests include representations of the female form in both two and three dimensions.
She has published volume one of her PhD,
Scènes de Gyngécées: Figured Ostraca from New Kingdom Egypt – Iconography and Intent (2020).
We have an exciting and diverse series of lectures
covering a wide range of topics and these are listed below
We are having two evening Zoom on-line meeting in April & Sept
𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 2025 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼
January 13th , 2pm
Dr Joanne Backhouse (University of Liverpool)
Nefetari, For whom the sun shines: Queenship in Ramesside Egypt
February 10th, 2pm
Dr Jacky Finch (University of Manchester: Alumni)
Papyrus Ebers ‘Are you sitting comfortably?’
March 10th, 2pm
Dr Kath Slinger (University of Manchester)
Tomb Families: Private Tomb Distribution in the New Kingdom Theban Necropolis
Wednesday April 2nd Zoom 7pm
Dr Heidi Köpp-Junk
(Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental
Studies)
Water, dewatering systems, wells, baths and waterspouts – latest excavation results
from Athribis and Tuna el Gebel.
May 12th, 2pm
Dr Roger Forshaw (University of Manchester)
The Life and Times of Hesyre, the First Recorded Physician and Dental Surgeon in History
June 9th, 2pm
Colin Reader (Independent Researcher)
Tutankhamun: The Extraterrestrial Connection
July 14th, 2pm
Sarah Shepherd (Independent Researcher)
Tourism and Travel in the Great War
August 11th, 2pm
Dr Judith Corbelli (University of Liverpool: Alumni)
Cremation in Alexandria: Cinerary Urns of the Greco-Roman Period
Monday Sept 1st Zoom 7pm
Dr Peter Lacovara
(Director of the Ancient Egyptian Archaeology and Heritage Fund)
Deir el-Ballas and the Hyksos Expulsion
October 13th, 2pm
Dr Paula Tutty (Independent Researcher)
The Discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices – Christianity’s Lost Legacy
November 10th , 2pm
Dr Campbell Price (University of Manchester)
Senenmut’s Unconventional Afterlife
December 8th, 2pm
Presidential lecture/AGM/Christmas buffet
Dr Ashley Cooke
BOOK SALES
At each Society meeting held in Mayer Hall a selection of Egyptology books is available for sale at very reasonable prices.