Pioneers of Egyptology

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Egypt was inaccessible to foreigners for many centuries. The situation started changing in the 18th century when men such as Fr Claude Sicard, Bishop Richard Pococke and Frederik Norden travelled to the region. Norden published a book on his travels in 1755. What famous person took such an interest in Egypt that he arrived there in 1798 with 35,000 men? Pope Pius VI Napoleon Bonaparte Sheik of Arabia King Louis XV

2. During the 1798 expedition a flat basalt stone was found built into an old wall. Named the Rosetta stone, it was inscribed in hieroglyphics, Egyptian demotic and Greek. One of the scholars attempting to decipher hieroglyphics was Jean Francois Champollion. Born in 1790, he was an avid linguist, having taught himself Arabic, Syrian, Chaldean, Coptic and Persian. After studying the inscriptions on the stone for many years, in what year did he publish his findings on cracking the code? 1851 1830 1824 1847

3. While Champollion poured over ancient texts in France, the Italian adventurer Giovanni Belzoni was in Egypt, literally blasting his way into pyramids and tombs. Collecting antiquities at any cost had become the rage. Earlier in his life Belzoni starred in music hall productions. As what Biblical character had he appeared in Sadler's Wells theatre? Job Moses Samson Noah

4. In 1821 the Englishman John Gardner Wilkinson arrived in Egypt and remained in the country until 1833. In what branch of archaeology did he specialize? Mummification Ancient wigmaking Genealogy Epigraphy

5. Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia wanted to emulate the 1798 expedition to Egypt. He chose Carl Lepsius to head the 1842 venture. Lepsius had studied Greek and Roman archaeology. After the expedition, he was appointed professor at Berlin university. For what occasion did he later visit Egypt for the last time? First Trade Fair in Luxor Recoating the pyramids Funeral of the Pasha of Egypt Inauguration of Suez Canal

6. In 1850 another Frenchman appeared on the fledgling Egyptology stage. Auguste Mariette arrived in Egypt with the charge of buying up Coptic manuscripts. Not meeting with success, he turned his attention to Egyptology. What museum did he found in order to preserve, record, excavate and administer Egyptian antiquities? Luxor Museum Cairo Museum Alexandria Museum Rouen Museum

7. Gaston Maspero's passion for Ancient Egypt began at an early age. After many years of research and excavation, he was chosen to be guide to an important lady for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Who was she? Empress Eugenie Alexandria Princess of Wales Queen Victoria Louise Duchess of Argyll

8. Related to Matthew Flinders who explored Australia, William Flinders Petrie was born in Kent in 1853. Before setting off for Egypt, young Petrie helped survey Stonehenge. In Egypt in 1895 he made the important discovery of the tombs at Nagada. To what period of Egyptian history do the tombs belong? Old Kingdom Greek occupation New Kingdom Pre-dynastic

9. Yet another avid linguist, Sir E. A. Wallis Budge worked as a clerk while studying Hebrew and Syriac. Entering the service of the British Museum in 1883, he retired forty-one years later. What did the initials E.A. stand for? Ethan Andrew Edward Adam Ernest Alfred Eliot Ambrose

10. In November 1922 Howard Carter stunned the world with his discovery of the treasure-packed tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen. Having once discovered seals of the hitherto-unknown king, Carter searched every inch of the Valley of the Kings for eight years before locating the tomb. Who was the wealthy Englishman who backed him financially? Sir Arthur Eddington Baron Tweedsmuir Cecil John Rhodes Lord Carnarvon