First  Circular - 23 December 2002

Dear colleagues and friends, 

we invite you to attend the “First International Conference for Young Egyptologists”, organized by Dr. Alessia Amenta (University of Rome "La Sapienza"), Michela Luiselli (M.A., University of Basle), and Maria Novella Sordi (M.A., University of Rome "La Sapienza”).

The conference is under the Patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

The Advisory committee consists of: Prof. Hartwig Altenmüller (University of Hamburg), Prof. John Baines (University of Oxford), Prof. Yvan Koenig (Catholic Institute of Paris), Prof. Mario Liverani (University of Rome "La Sapienza"), Prof. Antonio Loprieno (University of Basle), and Prof. Alessandro Roccati (University of Rome "La Sapienza").

This invitation is addressed to “young Egyptologists” throughout the world. By “young Egyptologists” we mean scholars and researchers who have at least a BA or equivalent in Egyptology but do not yet have a permanent position in an academic institution or in a museum. 

The conference will be held from 14 October 2003 (registration only) to 18 October (concluding in the late afternoon), in the heart of Tuscany in Italy, in the spa complex of Chianciano Terme (Siena province). The splendid landscape of the Tuscan hills will be the background for our discussions.

The theme of the conference is “L’acqua nell’antico Egitto: vita, rigenerazione, incantesimo, medicamento / Water in ancient Egypt: Life, regeneration, incantation, medical prescription”, with particular reference to the significance of water in liturgical, religious, and medical contexts, as well as in literature.

We are pleased to announce that members of the Advisory Committee will open and close the Conference.

Papers (maximum duration 20 minutes) may be presented in Italian, English, French, or German; the language for discussion will be English.

Publication of the proceedings is planned, we hope by summer 2004; the publishers will be the prestigious house of L'Erma di Bretschneider in Rome. The three organizers will act as editors, with members of the Advisory Committee acting as referees. 

Those who wish to attend must register their intention no later than 30 April 2003. Presentations may take the form of papers or posters.

The conference fee is 15 Euros for those making presentations and 30 Euros for other participants. This fee covers: attendance at paper sessions, conference documentation, book of abstracts, refreshments during coffee breaks, official dinner, transportation to the Theater of  Sarteano (Siena) for the opening ceremony (17 kms, 10 miles from Chianciano), and additional events (excursions to the Etruscan Museum in Chianciano Terme and to the “Labyrinth of Porsenna” in Chiusi).

Presentation of a paper is subject to acceptance by the organizers. Because the seating capacity of the conference hall is limited, it may not be possible to accommodate all papers offered. Those intending to make a presentation should send an abstract (not exceeding one page) together with their registration forms. Presentations will be selected on the basis of the abstracts and in consultation with the Advisory Committee; the abstracts will be published in the book of abstracts. Papers that are accepted but cannot be fitted within the timetable may be presented as posters.

Those who wish to present posters must also send an abstract (not exceeding one page), for inclusion in the book of abstracts.

Participants who do not intend to make presentation will be accepted in order of receipt of their registration forms.

Official replies to requests to attend will be set out no later than 30 May 2003.

This mailing also includes details of accommodation and the registration form (for those who would like to register by fax).

All other relevant information (including the registration form and accommodation) can be found on the official conference website, which is already online at www.egyptandwater-congress.org and will be updated progressively. The organizing committee would prefer the registration to be made through the website.

All further communications and circulars will be sent by e-mail or by fax; announcements will also be posted on the website. 

We believe that it is important to say a little about what we wish to achieve through our initiative. We should like to organize an opportunity for “young Egyptologists” including ourselves, who come from many countries throughout the world and can be separated by different languages and great distances, to become acquainted, and to exchange ideas about our work and our research. We therefore hope to awaken common interests and rediscover our own enthusiasm among you.

We hope that this initiative of ours, which we should like to have a successor (perhaps on a four-yearly cycle in different parts of the world) will provide a serious stimulus to many “Young Egyptologists” as they pursue their research, not least because they may look toward a later opportunity for meeting and working together. 

We would be very grateful if you could make this circular known to colleagues and other interested specialists with whom you are in contact.

With all best wishes, and hoping to see you in Chianciano Terme!!!