Nicky Nielsen, Egyptomaniacs (Pen & Sword, 2020)
Ancient History is dead, right? What difference does it make? Let it go. Or maybe don’t. In Egyptomaniacs, Nicky Nielson demonstrates the continuing relevance of Ancient Egypt in our world through examining how we came to know what we think we know about a culture that is at once alien and familiar. In doing so, he exposes many continuing myths about Ancient Egypt and presents arguments that will have you thinking about history long after you have closed his book.
Nielsen argues that our perception of Egypt stems from Classical authors, the Bible, and European explorers in more modern times. He begins with how the Greeks and Romans perceived Egypt in their different ways but both with respect for Egypt’s age and mystery. Nielsen notes also that important mediaeval Arab scholarship has been ignored for too long by many Egyptologists. Then we are into the Renaissance and a renewed interest in Egypt in Europe, though they depicted the civilization in European terms. Then we come inevitably to Napoleon’s 1798 expedition and the finding of the Rosetta Stone, indeed, much of the early part of the book focuses on hieroglyphics.
The 19th Century saw a surge in artefact collection for European museums and private investors, and great competition amongst the specialists sent out to get them, though they look like a bunch of vandals to modern eyes. Despite laws to stop it, looting continues to this day, which leads to a discussion of artefact repatriation. More controversial commentary follows when Nielsen delves into past and present tourism. He then uses obelisks as a case study for how ideologues have used Ancient Egypt for their own ends, including the strange pull Nefertiti exercised on Adolf Hitler.
Part 2 is titled ‘Inventing Ancient Egypt’, which begins unsurprisingly with Tutankhamun, or rather his spectacular burial and its discovery. And then, of course, the curse of the Pharoah’s tomb, invented by the Press and lapped up by the public. Neilsen’s discussion of mummies starts with the tons of cat mummies that arrived at Liverpool in 1890, which leads to the story of mummification and the mummy trade. Mummies also mean movies, and Nielsen shows how Hollywood has also shaped our understanding of Egypt. He arrives at the pyramids next; who built them and why? He traces the lineage of some bizarre theories, including pyramidology and links to Atlantis, and, of course, aliens. Nielsen examines belief in such conspiracy theories, which leads to a chapter on who ‘owns’ Ancient Egypt: Nielsen thinks this is a foolish question. He concludes that amongst all the distortions brought to bear on Ancient Egypt their remains a great story, perhaps the greatest ever told.
Egyptomaniacs is an informative and sometimes amusing survey of our fascination with Ancient Egypt. Neilsen confronts numerous tropes that litter modern western thought, dismantling widely-held beliefs while deflating myths and the egos of those who have perpetrated them. The book feels a bit disjoined at times, and more of a sketch than a finished work, but I also think this history of History should be required reading for those inclined to dismiss serious academics in favour of trendy theories based on prejudice and outmoded practices, not just for Ancient Egypt but all fields of history.
BUY NOW
