Education, Education, Education:
The Satire of Trades and the Importance of the scribal profession
Dr Jacky Finch 

2pm Monday 12th October

Mayer Hall


The Satire of Trades is a Middle Kingdom Instruction text. A father is taking his son to scribal school, and during his journey he instructs him on the duties and rewards of the scribal profession. The father stresses the advantages of such a career, contrasting in a rather unflattering light to some eighteen trades, hence it being classed by some as satirical literature.
As we read through the Satire (in translation) we shall see how the scribe and these trades are portrayed by the author alongside evidence gleaned from representations in art and sculpture. We shall finish by looking at the positions held by a couple of high ranking named scribes. 

Dr Jacky Finch  


After a long career teaching Sciences at Secondary level, I ‘retired’ in 2000 to study at the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology at the University of Manchester, gaining an MSc in Biomedical and Forensic Egyptology and a PhD in Egyptology in 2009. My post-doctoral research focused on ancient burial practices, disability in the ancient world and the history of prosthetic medicine.
I have published in the Lancet and several other appropriate peer reviewed journals, in books and conference proceedings. I have spoken to many societies and at conferences in both the UK and in Egypt, as well as organising day schools with Key Stage 2 children. My interests are wide ranging which are reflected in the lectures I have given.
Currently I am a researcher at the University of Manchester, where in 2018 I was invited to be part of an interdisciplinary team looking at uncatalogued Egyptian textiles across north -west collections, the resulting publication came out in June of this year.  


2026
Programme


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  2026  𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼

January 12th , 2pm
Michael Tunnicliffe
Egypt in the Byzantine Period AD 395-640

February 9th, 2pm
Dr Gina Muskett
Royal Travellers to Egypt in the 1860s

March 9th, 2pm
Claire Ollett
Howard Carter: Wonderful Things

Wednesday April 1st Zoom 7pm
Dr Heidi Köpp-Junk
Nefertiti on her Chariot: Warfare and
Civilian Use of the Egyptian Chariot

May 11th, 2pm
Rachel Mary Wright
An Artist’s View of Amarna

June 8th, 2pm
Dr Violaine Chauvet
'Updates from excavations at the Temple of Mut, Karnak' 


July 13th, 2pm
Dylan Bickerstaffe
The Great God Min: His Attributes, Centres,
Ceremonies and Festivals

August 10th, 2pm
Dr Joanne Backhouse
Bes: Dancer, Reveler and Demon Fighter


 Wednesday Sept 2nd Zoom 7pm
Dr Cedric Gobeil
News from inside the Tomb: The Latest Museo Egizio’s projects in and around Deir-el Medina


note change of details
October 12th, 2pm
Dr Jacky Finch
Education, Education, Education: The Satire of Trades and the Importance of the scribal profession


November 9th , 2pm
Dr Nicky Nielsen
New Discoveries from the City of The Snake Goddess

December 14th, 2pm
Dr Ashley Cooke
AGM, Presidential Lecture & Christmas buffet
- - MEMBERS ONLY - -




BOOK SALES
At each Society meeting held in Mayer Hall a selection of Egyptology books is available for sale at very reasonable prices.  

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