HS2410: Pharaohs of the Sun

School Archaeology
Department Code SHARE
Module Code HS2410
External Subject Code F420
Number of Credits 20
Level L6
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader PROFESSOR Paul Nicholson
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

This module examines the archaeology and history of the reign of Akhenaten and those surrounding it. The history and background of this period of apparent religious iconoclasm and political upheaval are examined in the light of the archaeological evidence and students are asked to judge the significance of this 'Amarna period. The site of Tell el-Amarna and its archaeological significance are also examined.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Understand how archaeological evidence has been used to reconstruct the reign of Akhenaten

Recognise how art of the Amarna period differs from earlier Egyptian art

Evaluate the significance of Tell el-Amarna for our understanding of urban life in ancient Egypt

Evaluate the significance of written and visual records of Akhenaten’s reign

How the module will be delivered

Teaching will mostly be by means of lectures.  These lectures make full use of images so that students are taught to recognise key features of funerary monuments and artefacts.

Teaching is both chronological and thematic, so that students are given an understanding of how particular aspects of  the Amarna period developed over time.

An optional museum visit, accompanied by the lecturer is normally included in the course.  This is an opportunity for those who wish to do so to experience artefacts at first hand

Skills that will be practised and developed

Intellectual Skills:

Ability to critically assess written and archaeological sources
Ability to prepare a well argued essay supported by adequate references
Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:
Ability to recognise and correctly assign and interpret Amarna period monuments and artefacts

 Transferable Skills:

Ability to research a topic individually
Ability to prepare a well-argued piece of work supported by adequate references/examples.

How the module will be assessed

1.  Essay of 2500 words.  The essay titles are set by the lecturer, but alternative titles are acceptable if agreed with the lecturer in advance.  The essay allows the student to demonstrate, at some length their knowledge and understanding of particular topics.  Reading for the essay will form useful background for the exam and test (2 & 3)

2.  Class test of up to 1 hour, comprising questions based on a series of photographs.  The aim of the exercise is to test students recognition of key figures, sites and artefacts covered in the course.  Many of the illustrations will have featured in the lectures, others will be well known items which students will have come across in their reading.

3. Exam of 1 hour, requiring 1 essay question to be answered.   The exam questions are designed to cover a wide chronological and thematic range.  There will be a choice of at least 8 questions on the paper.  Students should not answer a question that covers the same topics as their essay, but should nonetheless be able to use background knowledge from the essay and more general reading to answer the question.   The questions may require knowledge of particular artefacts or monuments, thus testing their knowledge of the materials in question. 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 40 Pharaohs Of The Sun N/A
Exam - Spring Semester 50 Pharaohs Of The Sun 1
Written Assessment 10 Coursework N/A

Syllabus content

Research Skills for Egyptian Archaeology in general and this period in particular

The physical and symbolic geography of ancient Egypt

Background to Egyptian history

Traditional Egptian religion and the background to Atenism

The reign of Amenhotep III (1390-1352 B.C.)

Akhenaten and the development of the heresy

Karnak and early monuments

The move to Amarna (Akhetaten)

Nefertiti

The City of Amarna

Amarna art

Crafts and industries at Amarna

The Amarna Letters and the Empire

Smenkhare and Tutankhamun

Ay and Horemheb

History of research on the Amarna period

Essential Reading and Resource List

Aldred, C. (1991) Akhenaten: King of Egypt.  London: Thames and Hudson.

 Freed, R. E. , Markowitz, Y.J. and  D'Auria, S.H. (1999) Pharaohs of the Sun: Akhenaten, Nefertiti, Tutankhamun.   London: Thames   and Hudson.

 Hornung, E. (2001) Akhenaten and the Religion of Light.   Ithaca: Cornell Universitty Press.

 Kemp. B.J. (Ed.) (1983 - ) Amarna Reports I - .  London: Egpyt Exploration Society

 Kemp, B.J. (1989) Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilisation. London: Routledge.

 Kemp, B.J. and Garfi, S. (1993)A Survey of the Ancient City of El-'Amarna. London:  Egypt Exploration Society.

 Montserrat, D. (2000)Akhenaten: History, Fantasy and Fact.  London: Routledge.

 Quirke, S. (2001) The Cult of Ra.  London: Thames and Hudson.

 Redford, D.B. (1984) Akhenaten: The Heretic King.  Princeton: Princeton University Press.

 Reeves, N. (2001) Akhenaten: Egypt’s False Prophet.  London: Thames and Hudson

 Tyldesley, J. (1998) Nefertiti: Egypt’s Sun Queen.  New York: Viking.


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