PUBLIC LECTURE

Nefertiti: Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt

Lecture by Prof Aidan Dodson FSA

Nefertiti, wife of the ‘heretic pharaoh’ Akhenaten, lived during the 14th century BC, and has over the past century become one of the most iconic figures of the ancient world, in particular owing to the famous painted bust representing her that is now in Berlin. This lecture will explore what we really know (and do not know) about her, and also the various misconceptions that have grown up around her and have become baked into popular views of her and her immediate family.

The picture of her career has been significantly altered in recent years, both through the availability of new genetic and inscriptional evidence, and also of new analyses of material known for a long time, the latter strongly suggesting that during the last years of her life she became a fully-fledged female pharaoh. As such, she was responsible for the return to orthodoxy after her husband’s death, probably as co- ruler with Tutankhamun, whose mother she now seems likely to have been.

If her mummy has been correctly identified, however, she will have have died a horrific death at the hands of persons unknown, to be expunged from history, and only re-emerge as a personality 3,500 years later through the labours of Egyptologists.

Professor Dodson is currently completing a book with the same title as the proposed lecture, which is scheduled to be published in October 2020.

 

Online booking is now closed but you can join us on YouTube here 

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Please note that due to COVID 19 restrictions we are unsure if this event will be held at Burlington House or just live streamed. Moving forward all our lectures will be live streamed so booking is recommended to recieve the live stream link. If attendance at Burlington House is feasible it will be limited and allocated through the booking link below. 

Attendance by Live Stream:

• Registration is essential.
• Open to anyone to join, Fellows and Non-Fellows.
• Once you have registered we will be in touch regarding how you can join via Zoom video-calling.
• The event will also be live-streamed to YouTube here, so you can watch along if you prefer
• Places through zoom will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The event will begin at 13.00, GMT.
• You will recieve an email with the link to join the day before the lecture.
• Attendees’ cameras and microphones will be off throughout.

Attending Burlington House:

• Registration is essential.
• Those attending in person will be subject to temperature checks and will have to wear masks in the Meeting Room.
• There will be no refreshments.
• There will be no access to the Library or Fellows Room.
• Admittance to the event is only 20minutes prior.
• Fellows can not bring guests.

If you have any questions please contact our Communications Manager on [email protected]

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