Work of Modern Egyptologists
Deir el Medina provides historians and archaeologists with some of the richest sources of information describing all facets of life, from discovered ostraca, buildings and other artefacts. From the 1840’s many renowned archaeologists worked on this specimen of ancient Egyptian history and successfully brought forth many answers and information on one of mankind’s greatest civilizations. The following people are renowned Egyptologists, whose input on the discovery of Deir el Medina impacted immensely on the knowledge of Ancient Egypt and particularly that of the period of the New Kingdom.
Auguste Mariette:
The French Egyptologist Aguste Mariette (1858-1881) , is credited with the name He is known as “the father of Egyptian Archeology”. In 1862, Mariette carried out the first excavations in Deir el medina.
Gaston Maspero
The renowned French Egyptologist Gaston Maspero (1846-1916). On the death of Mariette in 1881, Maspero continued Mariette’s work of collecting and preserving artefacts. He too worked at the site of Deir el medina where he oversaw the continuation of the projects carried out by Mariette.'
Ernesto Schiaparelli
The Italian archaeologist Ernest Schiaparelli(1856–1928), he looked over the first major excavations at Deir el Medina and found many discoveries during his work there. In 1906, Schiaparelli made one of the grandest discovers, that of the intact tomb of the couple Kha and Meryt, who lived around 1400 BC. This discovery was one of a kind as its provide much information on the eating habits, hobbies and funeral customs of well off, ancient Egyptian families.
Bernard Bruyere
The French Egyptologist Bernard Bruyere was best known for the excavation of the whole area of Deir El Medina between 1922 and 1951. He is also recognized for the exploration of all aspects of the community including social interactions between the villagers and the living and working conditions of the tomb workers. Various things that Bruyère discovered included the number of working days, the average persons pay, and even their reasons for having a sick day. One of the most important of his finds were the ostracas as well as many house hold items and papyrus, which gave information on the villagers who resided at Medina during its 500 years of occupation as well as the changing technology, religious beliefs, craft work and medicinal/culinary which were used in the town of Medina.
Auguste Mariette:
The French Egyptologist Aguste Mariette (1858-1881) , is credited with the name He is known as “the father of Egyptian Archeology”. In 1862, Mariette carried out the first excavations in Deir el medina.
Gaston Maspero
The renowned French Egyptologist Gaston Maspero (1846-1916). On the death of Mariette in 1881, Maspero continued Mariette’s work of collecting and preserving artefacts. He too worked at the site of Deir el medina where he oversaw the continuation of the projects carried out by Mariette.'
Ernesto Schiaparelli
The Italian archaeologist Ernest Schiaparelli(1856–1928), he looked over the first major excavations at Deir el Medina and found many discoveries during his work there. In 1906, Schiaparelli made one of the grandest discovers, that of the intact tomb of the couple Kha and Meryt, who lived around 1400 BC. This discovery was one of a kind as its provide much information on the eating habits, hobbies and funeral customs of well off, ancient Egyptian families.
Bernard Bruyere
The French Egyptologist Bernard Bruyere was best known for the excavation of the whole area of Deir El Medina between 1922 and 1951. He is also recognized for the exploration of all aspects of the community including social interactions between the villagers and the living and working conditions of the tomb workers. Various things that Bruyère discovered included the number of working days, the average persons pay, and even their reasons for having a sick day. One of the most important of his finds were the ostracas as well as many house hold items and papyrus, which gave information on the villagers who resided at Medina during its 500 years of occupation as well as the changing technology, religious beliefs, craft work and medicinal/culinary which were used in the town of Medina.