The Calgary Chapter of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities

Lecture: Blue like the Night Sky – Lapis Lazuli in Ancient Egypt

Posted in 2016 - 2017, Event, Featured, Guest Speaker

Please note the special date in May for this Lecture

Date: 7:30 – 9:00 pm, 26-May-2017

Cost: Meetings are Free to members, Guests $5 – Students with ID $2

 

Description:

Egyptians have shown great command in working with different varieties of stone since prehistoric times. Lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone dark-blue in colour with patches of white calcite or pyrite, was considered among the most prestigious. Its likeliest source in northeastern Afghanistan is more than 4,000 km away and the stone showed up in Egypt already hundreds of years before the building of the pyramids. How did lapis lazuli get to Egypt? Why was it so important that Egyptians engaged in this long-distance trade? In this presentation, we will unravel the evidence and gain an understanding of the importance of lapis lazuli within the Egyptian world. We will trace possible trade routes, investigate its aspects of symbolism, and consider the significance of its colour within Egyptian iconography.

About the speaker:

Thomas H. Greiner is currently pursuing his PhD in Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilisations at the University of Toronto. Focusing his research on the cultural significance of lapis lazuli in dynastic Egypt, Thomas is also working on cataloguing the small Egyptian collection in the Museum of Vancouver. He completed a BA in Classical Archaeology from UBC and MA in Egyptology from the University of Liverpool. He has excavated at the Predynastic site of Hierakonpolis as well as in northern Minnesota, USA.

Location:

Room EDC 287 in the Education Block at the University of Calgary.