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Discovering the Pyramids of Egypt with Dr. Jade Bajeot

Discovering the Pyramids of Egypt with Dr. Jade Bajeot


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Built more than 40 centuries ago, the great pyramids of Giza are one of the most impressive symbols of the civilization that once populated the Nile banks. Their construction is still partly obscure, so much so that many enthusiasts of the subject attribute it to aliens. But are we sure that the pyramids of Giza are the only structures of this type in Egypt and that they are isolated in the middle of the desert? And why are Egyptologists so firmly convinced that they were tombs? Join Dr. Jade Bajeot, an Egyptologist, to unravel the secrets and retrace the history behind the last of the seven wonders of the world that still exists.

In this conversation, we will travel through Egypt to discover the Pyramids and to retrace their history. We’ll see the evolution of these structures from the royal tombs of the first and second dynasty located at Saqqara, in northern Egypt, and we’ll get to know the first–and the last known to the general pharaohs. We’ll learn how their large tombs were made of mudbricks, contained incredibly large amounts of burial gifts, and were surrounded by numerous tombs of dignitaries (did the latter die over time, or were they sacrificed? A question that still awaits a clear answer).

We’ll then admire and unravel the secrets of the very first pyramid, the step pyramid, built for Djoser (3rd dynasty) and its ceremonial complex. The step pyramid was followed by several “experiments” (the Meidum pyramid, the rhomboid pyramid, and the red pyramid) which allowed to perfect the technique and to achieve the construction of Khufu, Khafra, and Menkaura’s pyramids at Giza (4th dynasty). Giza complex will be seen in its archaeological context made by tombs, funerary temples, the sphinx, and the harbor, including the most recent discoveries. The most diffused theories about the construction methods will also be addressed.

Led by an expert in Egyptology, Jade Bajeot, this interactive seminar will help participants to better understand the divine nature of the Egyptian kingship, on which the concept of such grandiose tombs is based, the evolution of the funerary practices, and the possible symbolic meanings and reasons that lead the pharaohs to build such massive tombs. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with increased knowledge about Egyptian pyramids, their meaning, and evolution.

Jade Bajeot has an MA in Egyptology, where her dissertation focus was on the ancient Egyptian fortification system. For her PhD in Archaeology she specialized in the prehistory of Egypt, in particular the unpublished data of the Italian excavations carried out in the predynastic site of Maadi (Cairo). During her PhD she spent six months in Cairo, at the French Institute of Archaeology (Ifao) where she had the opportunity to visit several archaeological sites. In 2014 she started to collaborate with the French mission that digs at Tell el-Iswid, a predynastic site located in the Nile Delta. She still works at Tell el-Iswid as a specialist in ceramic technology. She also had the opportunity to work at Tell el-Fara'in/Buto and Tell el-Samara (Nile Delta). She has published several papers on the subject and her PhD thesis has been published as a monograph.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 32 reviews
78%
(25)
6%
(2)
6%
(2)
9%
(3)
0%
(0)
B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
Illuminating

Very interesting information

B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
very enlightening

Guest did not leave comment

M
M. (Fort Worth, US)
Very informative

Very informative review of the history of pyramids . She covered several thousand years of Egyptian history.

C
Charlotte (Sunnyvale, US)
Loved it!

I wanted so much to see this presentation by Dr. Bajeot that I signed up for it knowing that I couldn't attend the live presentation. I watched the recording. I wasn't disappointed. I have attended several presentations by Dr. Bajeot, and I have enjoyed all of them. She gives incredible detail and focus on her subject. This presentation on the pyramids was interesting, detailed, well presented, and very well researched. So much that I didn't know. I will continue to sign up for her presentations.

J
Joanne (Norwich, US)

Very educational. Having visited Egypt in the 1980's it was great to learn more about the pyramids. I look forward to the presentation later this month. After listening to Dr. Bajeot I will add a return visit to Egypt on my bucket list. Interested in visiting the new museum in Cairo - visited the former museum years ago. I was looking forward to the "King Tut" exhibit in Boston last year, which of course was cancelled. I did see it there 50 years ago as well as in Egypt. Last year was supposed to be last time exhibit will leave Egypt. Hoping they reschedule in 2021 or 2022.

Customer Reviews

Based on 32 reviews
78%
(25)
6%
(2)
6%
(2)
9%
(3)
0%
(0)
B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
Illuminating

Very interesting information

B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
very enlightening

Guest did not leave comment

M
M. (Fort Worth, US)
Very informative

Very informative review of the history of pyramids . She covered several thousand years of Egyptian history.

C
Charlotte (Sunnyvale, US)
Loved it!

I wanted so much to see this presentation by Dr. Bajeot that I signed up for it knowing that I couldn't attend the live presentation. I watched the recording. I wasn't disappointed. I have attended several presentations by Dr. Bajeot, and I have enjoyed all of them. She gives incredible detail and focus on her subject. This presentation on the pyramids was interesting, detailed, well presented, and very well researched. So much that I didn't know. I will continue to sign up for her presentations.

J
Joanne (Norwich, US)

Very educational. Having visited Egypt in the 1980's it was great to learn more about the pyramids. I look forward to the presentation later this month. After listening to Dr. Bajeot I will add a return visit to Egypt on my bucket list. Interested in visiting the new museum in Cairo - visited the former museum years ago. I was looking forward to the "King Tut" exhibit in Boston last year, which of course was cancelled. I did see it there 50 years ago as well as in Egypt. Last year was supposed to be last time exhibit will leave Egypt. Hoping they reschedule in 2021 or 2022.