Monica Hanna on why Egypt must reclaim Egyptology

Monica Hanna on why Egypt must reclaim Egyptology

When we think of Egyptology, we’re likely to picture pharaohs and hieroglyphs, maybe Cleopatra luxuriating in milk baths, or the golden mask of Tutankhamun, distorted by decades of pop culture.  Wrapped in mystique and grandeur, Egyptology has long been portrayed as exotic, sexy, and full of secrets.  However, behind the allure lies a painful and often neglected truth: Egyptology emerged as and remains a colonial discipline. It emerged from the …