
NEAF Saturday Seminar Series | LIFE AFTER DEATH – Burial practices in the ancient Near East
Lecture 1:
From chamber tombs to peristyle tombs: funeral architectural traditions on Cyprus
Dr Craig Barker | University of Sydney
10am-11am
Abstract: From the Early Bronze Age through to the Roman period there have been a number of distinctive architectural traditions on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and some interesting burial customs. This presentation will examine these developments featuring both the local tradition of rock cut chamber tombs and imported architectural styles. From the earliest evidence of domesticated cat in a Neolithic burial to import. We shall explore some of the most significant burials on the island from the so-called Tomb of the Seafarer at Karmi excavated by the University of Sydney to the royal burials at Salamis.
This talk will pay particular attention to the so-called Tombs of the Kings, a World Heritage listed site at Nea Paphos associated with the broader Hellenistic and Roman necropolis of the island’s capital city. The unique monumental funeral architecture of the Tombs of the Kings indicates distinctive international influence, yet the grave goods are reflective of local customs. How can we reconcile the conflict of international and local burial customs and what does it tell us about Hellenistic Cyprus?
Lecture 2:
Tombs, Treasures and Temples, and Robbery: The Burial of Kings during the New Kingdom
Maree Browne | University of Sydney
11am-12pm
Abstract: The pharaohs of the Old Kingdom were buried within large mortuary monuments, monuments that often dominated the surrounding landscape. In contrast, the burials of the New Kingdom pharaohs were hidden deep in a ravine on the West Bank at Thebes: the Valley of the Kings.
This lecture will discuss the evolution from the great monuments of the Old Kingdom to these secret burials and their separated Mortuary Temple complexes. These include those of Ramesses II and Tutankhamun. We will look at the construction and the decoration of the tombs. Also examined will be the exquisite, as well as the mundane, goods buried within the tombs and the robbers who endeavoured to steal them.
The seminars will be held online on Zoom
Members
Individual lecture $20
Entire series $80
Non Members
Individual $30
Entire series $120
For bookings, please visit: www.sydney.edu.au/arts/our- research/centres-institutes-and- groups/near-eastern- archaeology-foundation/lectures
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