São Paulo – The Pontifical Catholic University of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) will promote the 17th Journey of Studies on the Ancient East on May 26 and 27. The course will approach subjects pertaining to life and death in ancient civilizations in Europe, Asia and Africa, such as Egypt and Iraq, formerly known as Mesopotamia.
The Journey is coordinated by professors Margaret Marchiori Bakos and Eliana Ávila Silveira. Subjects to be tackled in the course include: Daily Life of Ancient Egypt in Brazil; The Daily Life of the Akhetaton Tomb Builders; The Evoking of Death in Assyrian Palaces; Gods that protect personal daily lives in Egypt; and Composition and Modification of Funeralware in Private Theban Tombs of the New Kingdom.
The latter will be addressed by professor Moacir Elias Santos, a researcher currently pursuing a doctorate in Social History from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro. In an interview to ANBA, he discussed the event. “The presentations will focus on how the Egyptians viewed the world based on their own daily lives,” he explains.
“In the 18th dynasty, of pharaohs Thothmes III and Hatshepsut, whatever the people had in their households, you would also find in their tombs, both objects and foods,” he says. The professor’s presentation will be based on the study of 20 tombs found that were found intact and enabled a comparison between the funerals of the 18th and 19th Egyptian dynasties. “In the 19th dynasty, the funeral was turned to the death rite, with more objects relating to death itself, such as funeral statues,” he claims. “The people regarded the beyond as a continuation of life on Earth,” he points out.
This year, in addition to studies on Ancient Egypt, the event will also feature lectures on Middle Age societies, highlighting European societies. Those interested in watching the presentations may find further information at http://www.pucrs.br/eventos/orienteantigo/.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
