Archaeological Sciences

EMANUELE MARCELLO CIAMPINI
EMANUELE MARCELLO CIAMPINI

In consistency with the educational purposes of the whole teaching course, aim of the teaching unit is to give students a basic knowledge and comprehension skills in the field of EGITTOLOGY, with the help of advanced textbooks. Moreover, it will make the student able to apply the acquired knowledge in an expert and reflective way, making autonomous judgments, communicating ideas, problems and reflections in a clear and correct way, and developing the knowledge required to go further in the studies.

Introduction to the language and culture of ancient Egypt.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the essential skills for a basic understanding of Pharaonic Egypt. These will be achieved through the various contents of the course, which aims to provide a general overview of Egyptian culture and archaeology, and a direct approach to the study of written documentation.

There are no specific prerequisites for participation in the course. It is desirable that students have a basic knowledge of the ancient world (especially the Eastern and Mediterranean areas) and its geography.

The course offers the basic elements of Pharaonic culture (culture, history, archaeology), with a focus on language and writing, fundamental components of Egyptian civilisation.
The course contents include:
(a) The formation of the state.
(b) The fundamental characteristics of the culture.
(c) Society and territory.
(d) The interpretation of reality and religious thought.
(e) Language and written culture.

The course content will be developed in two distinct sections:
- Introduction to Pharaonic culture, points (a)-(d).
- Language and written culture, point (e).

During the course, there will be a visit to the Museum of Egypt and the Near East at Sapienza University.

P. Piacentini; M. Pozzi Battaglia, Egittologia. Un'introduzione. Le Monnier Universitaria, Milano, 2023.
E.M. Ciampini, La lingua dell’Antico Egitto, Ulrico Hoepli, Milano, 2019.
Appunti del corso; presentazioni disponibili sul Classroom del corso.

P. Piacentini; M. Pozzi Battaglia, Egittologia. Un'introduzione. Le Monnier Universitaria, Milano, 2023.
E.M. Ciampini, La lingua dell’Antico Egitto, Ulrico Hoepli, Milano, 2019.

The course is held in person and is divided into two different modes.
- Lectures introducing Egyptian culture; visit to the Sapienza Museum (12 hours).
- Lectures on language and written culture (30 hours).

Given the content of the course, attendance is highly recommended. Presentations will be used regularly during lessons and will then be made available in the course classroom.

The final examination consists of an oral test covering the topics discussed in the course and in the textbooks listed in the bibliography. The test is divided into two parts:
- Knowledge of Pharaonic culture.
- Reading, translation and commentary on a text analysed during the course.

Knowledge of Pharaonic culture: A question of a historical and cultural nature; identification and description of a monument/object, with presentation of its characteristics.
Text analysis: reading of the selected text in Egyptian. Grammatical analysis with recognition of grammatical forms.

• 3 lessons providing a general overview of the subject and the salient features of Egyptian culture and history.


• 2 lessons on specific topics related to Egyptian culture.


• Visit to the Museum of Egypt and the Near East at Sapienza University.


• 15 lessons of Middle Egyptian language.