Pyramids & Progress: Belgian expansionism and the making of Egyptology, 1830-1952
In Belgium, Egyptology emerged later than elsewhere in Europe, but
once under steam, it went through a rapid growth in the course of the
first half of the 20th century. In the 1930s Brussels was occasionally
even referred to as ‘the capital of Egyptology’. Pyramids and Progress
investigates how this remarkable development unfolded within the context
of Belgian industrial and political expansionism towards Egypt, a
process that started in the 19th century, almost from the very moment
that the Belgian state was created in 1830. At that time, Belgium in all
regards aspired to become a player on a global scale. This aspiration
not only concerned Congo, which was to become a genuine colony, but
areas around the globe. Egypt, with its strategic location in Africa and
its fascinating ancient monuments, played a key role.
But what motivated this Belgian interest in Egypt? How did Belgian
royalty, politicians, diplomats, industrialists, and intellectuals
operate within the expansionist doctrine? And how did the scientific
discipline of Egyptology develop in Belgium within this expansionist
framework? The personal, institutional, and commercial networks of the
different players are investigated, and the question is asked how this
led to a climate in which famous Egyptologists like Jean Capart proved
able to give their discipline the prominent position it finally acquired
in Belgium.
Posts
Stumble It!
No comments:
Post a Comment