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The study of Egyptology is conceived as an organic path that begins in the BA and ideally ends in the two-year master's degree course. In the BA course, the student acquires the fundamental knowledge of history, civilisation and religion, while in the MA he/she faces the study of textual sources for the understanding and interpretation of historical, religious and cultural phenomena.
The main feature of Egyptology in Florence is the special attention given to the study of texts and thus to the languages and scripts of ancient Egypt (Middle Egyptian, Late Egyptian, Demotic and Coptic), thus allowing independent and critical access to sources for the reconstruction of Egyptian civilisation.
The teaching programme, which involves the active participation of students, is divided into lectures and seminars. The latter, which deal with more specific topics essential for research training, can also be taught by visiting professors or external lecturers. The programme is completed with internship activities carried out in museum collections (the Egyptian Museum of the Archaeological Museum in Florence and the Egyptian Museum in Turin).
For those who are motivated to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree, specific courses and programmes may also be arranged in agreement with the teaching staff. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the student inform the professor as soon as he or she has matured the idea of pursuing a degree in Egyptology.
36 h – 6 CFU, 1° semester
The course is available for those enrolled in the ‘Archaeology’ curriculum; the same course with the title ‘History and Civilisation of Ancient Egypt’ (B024265) is available for those enrolled in the ‘History’. curriculum.
Lectures introduce the student to Egyptian history, archaeology and religion. Supplementary lectures are conducted on materials from the collection of the ‘Egyptian Museum’ in Florence. Students wishing to major in Egyptology may add the course ‘History and Civilisation of Ancient Egypt’ (B024265) to their study programme, receiving a specific programme of introduction to hieroglyphic writing and the Middle Egyptian language.
25 h - 1 CFU, 2° semester
Introduction to the core bibliography for research areas and introduction to the series and journals of the discipline in order to be able to carry out research critically and independently. Introduction to the main digital tools (databases and resources). The programme can be adapted to the specific needs of the individual student. Practical activities are planned.
36 h – 6 CFU, 2° semester
The course is available for students enrolled in the ‘Near Eastern Archaeology’ curriculum; the same course is available for students enrolled in the following curricula: ‘Prehistoric Archaeology’ (B003535), ‘Languages and cultures of Asia and Africa’ (B005570), ‘History’ (B030969).
The lessons introduce the student to hieroglyphic writing and the Middle Egyptian language. Selected hieroglyphic texts are read in class in order to critically interpret a cultural phenomenon or historical period. Supplementary classes are conducted on materials from the collection of the ‘Egyptian Museum’ in Florence. Students wishing to major in Egyptology must add the course ‘Egyptology 2’ (B021593) to their study programme.
24 h - 4 CFU, 2° semester
Sandra Lippert (Visiting Professor, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris)
The course introduces the demotic language and writing, the linguistic stage of Egyptian attested from the 7th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. Practice on original papyri kept at the Vitelli Papyrological Institute.
25 h - 1 CFU, 2° semester
Introduction to the core bibliography for research areas and introduction to the series and journals of the discipline in order to be able to carry out research critically and independently. Introduction to the main digital tools (databases and resources). The programme can be adapted to the specific needs of the individual student. Practical activities are planned.
25 h - 2 CFU, 2° semester
Activities: exercises to consolidate and deepen knowledge of the hieroglyphic writing system. This course is open to students attending the master course in Egyptology (introduction to Egyptian writing and language) and also to more advanced students. The programme will obviously be adapted to the level of the learner. Skills to be acquired: mastery of hieroglyphic writing and sign recognition; mastery of didactic and reference tools (list of signs, dictionaries); learning basic vocabulary and, for advanced students, advanced vocabulary.
25 h - 2 CFU, 2° semester
Activities: understanding the functioning of hieratic writing (exercise on texts published in photographs and on originals); transcription of texts from hieratic to hieroglyphic; learning the use of different palaeographic tools; use of software for writing hieroglyphic. Skills to be acquired: Familiarisation with hieratic writing; recognition of the different hands and paleographic features (by textual genre and historical period); acquisition of conventions for the edition of texts.
18 h - 3 CFU, 1° semester
The lectures, which may be held by external lecturers, are intended to provide students with the necessary skills to analyse and interpret expressions of material culture (e.g. stelae, statues, reliefs, etc.) and place them in their cultural and historical context.
20 h - 4 CFU
The Egyptology course for the Postgraduate School in 'Archaeological Heritage' is delivered, like all other courses, every two years.
Last update
24.10.2024