Exhibiting archaeology: constructing knowledge of Egypt at temporary exhibitions in London, 1884-1939

Thesis

Between 1884 and 1939 the Egypt Exploration Fund (later Society) and the British School of Archaeology in Egypt held a series of annual exhibitions in London to showcase the finds of each archaeological season. Displaying artefacts excavated just weeks before, alongside new archaeological interpretations and interpretive devices, and in varying locations across the capital, these temporary exhibitions functioned as network hubs for the circulation of disciplinary objects and knowledge. Established at a time when archaeology was emerging as a new, professional scientific discipline and the British occupation of Egypt was altering political dynamics, the practice reflected a period of considerable change in the display and reception of ancient Egyptian collections. The aim of this thesis is to centre the exhibitions in the theoretical framework of archaeological representation, addressing how the practice contributed to the construction and communication of knowledge about ancient and contemporary Egypt in the imperial metropole. The following discussion will argue that the annual exhibitions utilised their temporary, transient, and transitional nature to experiment with new ways of displaying Egypt and of shaping the visual culture and material products of Egyptian archaeology.

Authors: Williams, AE

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-jxpwxmg84
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: History of Egyptology; History of Archaeology; Annual exhibition; Temporary exhibition; Ancient Egypt; Egypt Exploration Fund; Archaeological representation; Egypt Exploration Society; Egypt; Museum; Reception; Exhibition; British School of Archaeology in Egypt
• Subjects: History of Archaeology; Twentieth century; Nineteenth century; Archaeology; Egyptology; Museum Studies