Shemu is the Society’s quarterly newsletter, issued in January, April, July and October. Shemu is an Egyptian word meaning ‘harvest’. The rise of the Nile flood in July marked the New Year for ancient Egyptians and this, the first season from July to October, was called akhet (inundation), go be followed by peret (time of emergence) from November to February as the Nile waters subside. The final season from March to June was shemu, a word that came to mean ‘harvest’. The TESSA newsletter is sent to members, relevant organisations and institutions in South Africa, the USA, UK and Egypt. Non-member subscriptions can be arranged. Please e-mail the Secretary on scarab@telkomsa.net
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See below for the latest article by Keith Grenville on the Frederick Goodall painting ‘The Subsiding of the Nile’
TESSA Annual Day School 23rd July 2011
On Saturday 23rd July, the 15th consecutive TESSA Day School took place at our traditional venue, the Baxter Studio. The speakers on these occasions generally have to stand amidst the set for whatever show is currently running at the Studio,and this year the floor of the stage happened to be covered with sea sand! This was entirely appropriate (or almost so!) as the theme of the Day School was “The Great Pyramids of Ancient Egypt.”
In the first lecture, Anthony Humphreys addressed the question of “The Emergence of the Early Pyramids.” He explained how it was only during the 3rd Dynasty that pyramids, as we know, them started to be built. Prior to that, pharaohs and other elite had been buried in mastabas. The inspiration behind the first pyramid – the Step Pyramid – was the vizier of Djoser, Imhotep, a man, clearly, of great talent and vision. Anthony was at pains to point out that pyramids should not be seen as isolated self-standing structures but should be seen in the context of all the other associated structures. The Step Pyramid complex, for example, is, in many ways, a “summary” of the power and authority of the pharaoh. He also described a series of seven “mini step pyramids” built all the way up the Nile as far as Elephantine. He then proceeded to suggest a series of contexts or meanings behind these pyramids. After a tea/coffee break, our next speaker was Keith Grenville, whose topic was “The Giza Family of Pyramids.” As Keith pointed out, each of these iconic pyramids could have been the topic of a lecture on its own – and then some! Keith gave an excellent succinct overview of the Giza pyramids and then concentrated on some other lesser known aspects of the area. He spoke, for example, of the geology of the plateau on which the pyramids were built. He also gave us an update on progress in the shaft in the Great Pyramid as the various obstacles are slowly being overcome by the use of increasingly more sophisticated robots. Recently some fascination tiny paintings have been located – a millimetre or two in length – just beyond one of the innermost obstructions. Also of great interest is the location and excavation of a boat alongside one of the pyramids. This is currently in the process of reconstruction. The size of the stones that had been used to cover the boat in its pit was quite astonishing. As always, Keith left us wishing for more!
After our traditional Egyptian Buffet lunch, we reassembled to hear Jean Smith tell us about “The Era of Decline of the Pyramids.” Jean dealt in great detail with a period far removed in time from the first two talks which were concerned with Dynasties 3 and 4 from the Old Kingdom. The actual decline of the practice of building pyramids occurred during the Middle Kingdom. Some very interesting facts came to light. It would appear that the builders were, by the traditional standards, constructing pyramids of greatly inferior quality. While the outward appearance might have looked “traditional,” the cores were of crude mud brick and those that have survived time and the recycling of material appear as unattractive mud mounds. However, below the pyramids, it was a different story. There were very elaborate carefully constructed burial chambers and some wonderful jewellery has been recovered from these chambers. Jean ventured the interesting suggestion that these pyramids represented a shift in belief where the emphasis was not so much on the sun, as was the case with the earliest pyramids, but that there was more reverence for the underworld and its god Osiris.
All three talks elicited some interesting questions and comments from the audience who seemed to enjoy our overview of “The Great Pyramids of Ancient Egypt.” Thankfully no one raised the issue of space aliens, although Anthony had disposed of that one up front with a cartoon and the suggestion that that was all the lunatic fringe deserved!
Now the committee must apply its mind to next year’s topic …!
Report by Anthony Humphreys
Photography by Monica Baalcke
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TESSA NOVEMBER 20 OUTING
Saturday 20 November saw the fourth consecutive “November Outing” when about 44 members made their way to the Hartenberg Estate to begin our tour of “Egypt in the Winelands.” The estate is set against the beautiful backdrop of the Winelands Mountains and although the skies looked a bit threatening, the view was not obscured nor did potential rain dampen any enthusiasm.
Once everyone had arrived, we adjourned to a wine cellar where, midst delightful wine fumes, Prof Sakkie Cornelius of the Department of Ancient Studies at Stellenbosch University treated us to an illustrated lecture on “Foreigners in Ancient Egypt.” Sakkie has addressed us on several occasions. He is always witty and highly informative and on this occasion he certainly didn’t disappoint. He left us with some new perspectives on Ancient Egypt and plenty upon which to reflect.
Gathered for lunch and wine tasting After exercising our brains, we moved onto testing our palates as we were treated to a tasting of some of the Estate’s award-winning wines. The general consensus was that the Estate produced some very fine wines indeed. A fine but brief drizzle during the tasting meant that we had to stay under our thatched tasting area and enjoy the delicious Vintner’s Platter (and more wine for those who had come along with designated drivers!). After the lunch we all had to get into a huddle for Master Photographer Gunther Komnick to take the obligatory group photograph. 
TESSA members at Hartenberg
At about 14.30 we had a last look around the Estate and then departed via Stellenbosch to visit the studio of the internationally renowned sculptor Dylan Lewis, located in the hills on Mulberry Farm just off the road to Somerset West. We had to sign in to the restricted area and it was amusing sitting in our cars watching the boom operator walking around to the front of virtually every car in the queue to shout out the registration number. Very few seem to remember their own numbers!
Dylan Lewis’ studio and its environs were a sight to behold. Scattered around the building was a series of massive sculptures of all manner of wild animals strategically placed in the landscape. Needless to say, the studio itself was filled to capacity with both huge and some smaller sculptures of animals and both male and female human figures.
Leopard sculpture outside Dylan Lewis studio
Studio Manager, Colette Taylor, was on hand to give us a fascinating insight not only into how Dylan Lewis conceives his art works – he does masses and masses of preliminary sketches – and how, ultimately, the sculptures are cast. The so-called lost wax technique is used to create the casts. This involves coating the sculpture with a thin layer of wax which is then drained away as the bronze is poured in to form the shape of the sculpture. Colette Taylor is very closely involved in Dylan Lewis’ work and so was the ideal person to give us an “insider’s view” of the processes involved. (By the way, the Ancient Egyptians are believed to have been familiar with the lost wax technique so we were not too far from “things Egyptian.”)
Colette Taylor explaining the sculptures of Dylan Lewis
Members were then free to admire completed works and others still in the process of development. We were all then treated to tea and cake – as if we hadn’t done enough eating already. This ended the day and we all made our respective ways home having enjoyed a day full of interest and happy interaction with fellow TESSA members. The whole day was organised by Lila and Gunther Komnick and we are all deeply indebted to them for all the time and mileage that goes into in locating such interesting places to visit.
Report by Anthony Humphreys; photography by Gunther Komnick.
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THE VISIT OF DR JOANN FLETCHER AND DR STEPHEN BUCKLEY On Tuesday 28th September 2010, TESSA was privileged to be addressed by two world renowned archaeologists and Egyptologists from the University of York, in England – Dr Joann Fletcher and Dr Stephen Buckley. It is TESSA’s aim to bring out cutting-edge Egyptologists every few years and this year we were fortunate to have not one but two such academics presenting a “double lecture.”
Under the general title of “The Search for Nefertiti,” Stephen spoke first outlining some of the problems involved with the much vaunted study of DNA from mummies. He pointed out that things are not nearly as clear cut as they tend to be presented in some publications. The survival of viable DNA samples is very much dependent upon micro-climatic conditions. This fact was brought home most forcibly when Stephen pointed out that the United States Military, with all its resources, is having great difficulty in obtaining DNA samples, for identification purposes, for soldiers killed in the Vietnam War – and this is only 30 to 40 years ago. The hot and humid conditions in that part of the world contribute greatly to the breakdown of DNA. Imagine the situation in Egypt thousands of years ago: a hot climate and, in addition, the effects of the range of materials used for mummification. Moreover, bad handling, sweat and dirty hands haven’t helped from the point of view of contamination. Some mummies have even yielded tobacco and cocaine from modern times!
Joann spoke second, outlining the evidence for her theory (and that is all she ever called it) published in 2004 that the “The Younger Woman” in the annex of the tomb of Amenhotep II – KV35 – was Nefertiti. The new evidence that is emerging (including DNA which, in good archaeological tradition, is but one strand in a cable of evidence) is tending to strengthen this theory. In line with Sir Karl Popper’s philosophy, refutation – not gut-feeling or preconceptions – is what is required to discard any theory and, at the moment, there is nothing convincing to refute her theory. The damage to the face, for example, was inflicted soon after mummification and is not a later assault as some have maintained. Extensive experiments have demonstrated that this simply could not have been the case.
Both presentations were outstanding and very well received and after a few questions from the floor, members of the audience were able to engage with Joann and Stephen personally over refreshments. It was indeed an informative and entertaining evening, leaving everyone with much to think about.
Joann Fletcher and Stephen Buckley will long be remembered by TESSA as very astute and meticulous researchers – not to mention being delightful guests in their personal capacities.
PROF ANTHONY HUMPHREYS
The welcoming party at Cape Town International airport – from L to R Shirley Beaumont, Jean Smith, Anthony Humphreys, Mike Beaumont, Keith Grenville
Viewing the city from the top of Table Mountain
On Saturday, 24 July 2010 the society’s annual Day School took place in the Baxter Studio Theatre. This year’s theme was “A Tale of Three Cities – Thebes, Amarna and Alexandria.” Vice-Chairman Jean Smith welcomed all members and visitors and introduced the first speaker, the society’s chairman ProfessorAnthony Humphreys whose lecture was titled “Akhetaten – The Capital of a Heretic.” He pointed out that Akhetaten, more popularly known as Tel el Amarna, contained enough material for several lectures as it was a very significant period in Ancient Egypt. He provided an overview of who Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) was and why he was regarded as a heretic in that he rejected the traditional gods and concentrated on the Aten as the only god. He then focused on several important areas within the city – the boundary stelae, the three groups of tombs (none of which were used), the North Palace,parts of the Central City, the Aten temples, the Amarna letters and, of course, the House of Thotmose where the famous bust of Nefertiti was found.
While much of the city has disintegrated owing to mud brick being the main building material, ongoing work by people like Barry Kemp, is focussing attention on the tremendous achievement that Akhetaten represented, having been in existence for only about 15 years. After the demise of Akhenaten, things reverted to ‘normal’, but traces of Amarna influence can, as he pointed out, still be seen in some of the grave goods of Tutankhamen. After a short break for refreshments the society patron Keith Grenville presented his lecture “Ancient Thebes to Modern Luxor.”
He said that Luxor was oneof the largest archaeological sites in the world and no other place in the world contained so many well-preserved temples, tombs and monuments of an ancient civilisation. Known as Waset, the Southern Heliopolis, Thebes, el Uqsur and now Luxor, the town’s name had changed but its purpose and function as a centre of authority, wisdom, art, building and religious significance had remained throughout the millennia. As with most of Egypt, Luxor declined after the Greek and Roman occupations until Napoleon’s expedition arrived in 1798. The resulting publication of the 24 volumes of Le Description de I’Égypte awakened a new interest in Egypt, which led to exhibitions of mummies, jewels and artefacts from Theban tombs. Egypt attracted adventurers and tourists and profoundly influenced art and design. When in the mid-19th century the first organised groups of Thomas Cook’s tourists arrived in Egypt, Luxor regained its significance in the world. Since the mid-1970s the town’s growth has been extraordinary and work is under way for extreme developments over the next 20 years.
The morning’s lectures were followed by a most enjoyable Egyptian-style buffet lunch served in the Baxter Centre’s restaurant.
The third and last lecture of the day was presented by Professor Johann Cook of the University of Stellenbosch. The subject matter was: “Alexandria – Athens in Africa?”
He explained that Alexander had founded Alexandria in 331 BCE after having consulted the oracle of Zeus at Ammon and being crowned as Pharaoh in Memphis. A suitable site was found 40 miles down the Nile at Naucrates between Lake Mareotis and the sea. The reasons for founding the city had been economic and geographical. Because of the subsistence of 4 meters, unfortunately little original material remained today and most artefacts were under sea level.
Prof Cook further explained that the population of Alexandria had been made up of 7 categories of people until the end of the Ptolemaic era, consisting of Greeks and non-Greeks. The organization of the city had consisted of tribes, phratries and demes. Demotics also played a significant role. The intellectual production of the city derived from its Ptolemaic patronage. Two important institutions were the Mouseion and the Library. The Mouseion was a cult centre for worshipping the Muses, and scientific research and literary studies were conducted here. The famous Library, which contained nearly 500 000 scrolls, focused on the collection and comparison of material. Unfortunately it declined during the 2nd century BCE and was later destroyed – one of the great catastrophes of the ancient world.
Prof Cook concluded that Greece played a decisive role on all cultural levels in Alexandria, but the city was a melting pot of many cultures: Hellenistic, Egyptian, Roman and Jewish.
After these three most interesting lectures, the day ended on a light note with a raffle draw, where three members were the lucky winners of books on ancient Egypt.
Lila Komnick
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TESSA outing 21st November 2009
On Saturday 21 November, on a perfect summer’s day, a group of 45 TESSA members met up at the Oude Molen brandy distillery in Grabouw. This was the first stop of our “Egypt in the Overberg” day excursion. We were shown around most competently by the distillery’s PR person Janis Viljoen Dwarfed by the massive copper pot stills Big Bertha and Long Tom, she told us about the time-consuming and meticulous process of creating award-winning brandies. This was followed by a well-produced video on the history of Oude Molen and its founder René Santhagens, widely regarded as the “Father of South African brandy”. The visit ended with a brandy tasting, which some enjoyed more than others. But even though brandy may not be to everyone’s taste, all agreed that the experience of touring the impressive cellars was well worth it.
- Janis Viljoen explaining the copper potstills to the group at Oude Molen
We then traveled along the scenic Viljoenshoop Road with its fruit trees and rambling roses to Highlands Road Estate, our lunch venue set high
amongst the Elgin Valley hilltops. Here our Ancient Egyptian connection came into play: Rose and Mike Murray of Stanford had prepared for us
a very interesting display of faience shabtis and delicate jewelry pieces, passed down in the family from Rose’s great-uncle the British Egyptologist James Edward Quibell (1867 – 1935). His wife Annie Quibell had written a book on their experiences – A Wayfarer in Egypt(1925) – which could also be viewed, together with details of his main discoveries. Rose gave a short introduction to the exhibition, and said that she plans to undertake further research of which we’ll hopefully hear more at a future members’ talk.
- Society patron Keith Grenville with Doreen Davis and Roy Thorsen
- Rose & Mike Murray with chairman Anthony Humphreys
After a tasting of the estate’s wines led by winemaker and owner Justin Hoy, we tucked into the delicious home-made lunch prepared by his wife Mary.
We settled at tables under the willow trees at the edge of the farm dam, where we could just sit back and enjoy the panoramic views and peaceful atmosphere. The impromptu piano accordion and guitar music by Günther Komnick and David Wolfaardt added to the relaxed mood.
Enjoying lunch at Highlands Road Estate
Günther Komnick & David Wolfaardt making music. Photo by Gill Russell
At 3pm we backtracked along Viljoenshoop Rd to the expansive Lavenham Gardens, which were breathtakingly beautiful. The abundance of colours and varieties had everyone enthralled, and the gardening enthusiasts amongst us found new inspiration and ideas to take home. Owners Norma Bridgman and Bert Trouwen served us refreshing organic apple juice on their pergola-covered veranda. Bert had recently had a gallery exhibition of his paintings, and we visited his garden studio to view his bright and bold works.
Norma Harris and Carol Humphreys
Getting the picture Just Right!
As we left to make our way back to Cape Town, one member was overheard saying: “I feel as though I’ve been on holiday for a week!” TESSA’s
annual countryside outing has already become a fixture in our diary, and we hope to continue it in 2010 and beyond.
Report by Lila Komnick. Photography by Günther Komnick & John Lombard.
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Visit of Dr. Zahi Hawass
In August 2006, the Society was honoured to host the redoubtable Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. The visit of Dr. Hawass marked and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Society’s founding in 1996. The lecture tour started in Johannesburg where he gave a lecture at the Wits Great Hall on the 14th August. In Cape Town he delivered 2 lectures at the Baxter Theatre on the 16th and 17th August – both of which were sold out. After the first lecture a ‘Meet & Greet’ event was organised with the Mayor of Cape Town Helen Zille invited as guest of honour; the ‘Meet & Greet’ allowed members to meet our honoured guest Dr Hawass, who cheerfully posed for photographs with some of them.
Dr Zahi Hawass with The Egyptian Society Committee that arranged his visit in 2006: From left to right: Keith Grenville (then chairman and now patron), Mike Beaumont, Jane Mulder, Dr Zahi Hawass, Jean Smith, Shirley Beaumont and John Lombard.
Dr Zahi Hawass with Peter and Jane Mulder – members of the organising committee.
Dr Zahi Hawass (centre) with from left to right society members Jennifer Willoughby, Sheila Drewry, Jean Smith and Lila Komnick.
Photography by Günther Komnick
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Updated Article on the Frederick Goodall painting The Subsiding of the Nile
By Keith Grenville [ See below for more photographs]
The famous painting The Subsiding of the Nile – Frederick Goodall 1822 – 1904 held in Cape Town The Subsiding of the Nile shows the Giza Plateau from the south-east, with the Great Pyramid of Khufu on the right, and the Pyramid of Khafra on the left behind the palm trees with the Sphinx just visible in the centre. The sheep in the foreground were painted from the flock the artist bought in Egypt and sent to England to be used as models for this picture. This was the largest picture painted by Frederick Goodall – it is approximately 3.01 metres long and 1.6 metres high. Painted in 1873 by Frederick Goodall, this picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy, London (No. 292) in 1873 and purchased by art dealer Ernest Gambart for 1200 Guineas – a high sum in those days. Later it was sold to Sir William Agnew and in 1903 it appears it belonged to a Mr. Orr of Glasgow. An unconfirmed report suggests the painting was bought in Cairo in 1912 by a Mr. E.D. Anderson (see below).
This painting used to hang on the first floor of the Cape Town City Hall. Due to the size and weight of the painting and frame, wall brackets supported the frame at the base causing the picture to hang forward at an angle. In turn this caused the canvas to stretch downward and drag away from the ornate gilded frame which is thought to be the original frame.
In response to my appeal and using the platform of The Egyptian Society of South Africa, the picture was removed from the unfavourable position in the Cape Town City Hall and loaned to the South African Cultural History Museum (now Iziko Slave Lodge) in 1997. Unfortunately, due to changes in the directorship of the museum and other reasons, the picture remained crated for 6 years in a store-room at the museum in Adderley Street. In 2003 the picture was returned to the Cape Town City Council and placed in a store room where it awaited a decision on its future.
The picture belongs to the people of the Cape Town. However, the date and manner of acquisition in Cape Town is a mystery and is entirely unknown. According to unsupported information from a former council employee who died some year ago, in 1968 T.J. & E.D. Anderson claimed it was on loan to the City but a court rejected the claim as there was no proof of ownership. Until now, it has not been possible to locate the court records. It has also been claimed that an untraceable newspaper report in 1968 stated the picture had been in the City Hall for at least 40 years.
When I approached the Royal Academy in London for information about the picture they were unaware that the original painting was in Cape Town having assumed the small version in the London Guildhall Art Gallery was the original. Their records have been amended. Frederick Goodall made his second and last visit to Egypt in 1870-71, accompanied by his brother Edward. Basing himself at Saqqara in the house of the distinguished archaeologist and founder of the Egyptian Museum Auguste Mariette-Bey, he spent several months sketching places and people to be used as the raw material for future paintings. In 1872 he began using some of his preparatory sketches and the result was The Subsiding of the Nile exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1873. There is a reduced version of The Subsiding of the Nile (76 x 152 cm) exhibited in the City of London’s Guildhall Art Gallery (No. 63). This smaller painting, a quarter of the size of the Cape Town picture, is signed with the monogram FG and dated 1873. When Frederick Goodall died in 1904 there were examples of his works in many provincial art galleries in addition to the Tate Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Another small copy of The Subsiding of the Nile has been identified in Bournemouth, UK. Frederick Goodall is buried at Highgate Cemetery in London along with family members.
With the valued co-operation of Alderman Owen Kinahan, the Cape Town City Council placed the picture in the capable hands of renowned art restorer Angela Zehnder in 2007 who was commissioned to clean and restore the damaged painting. Finally, in February 2011, the restoration of the painting and the frame was completed and with great anticipation the painting was at last hung for public viewing in the foyer of the Artscape Theatre, Cape Town. Newspaper pictures showed the painting in all its glory in the process of being hung. Fate yet again intervened in the story of this painting – within 24 hours inexplicably the painting fell off the wall and sustained serious damage. This very valuable painting was swiftly removed from the public gaze which had not yet awoken to the fact that the painting was anywhere to be seen anyway, and it was returned to the tender care of art restorer Angela Zehnder once more.
Following more restoration, the painting was exhibited at the Artscape Theatre foyer where it was securely hung on 13 February 2011 and, for the first time in many years, was once again on public view. The delicate colours of the picture are as fresh as the day Frederick Goodall painted this canvas and his signature monogram is visible in the bottom left-hand corner, dated 1873.
On reading the name plate on the bottom of the ornate frame, viewers might be confused as to the nationality of Frederick Goodall as his name is incorrectly shown a Friederick. This inaccuracy is receiving attention.
At the time of writing, the painting is on view at the Artscape Theatre for a limited but unknown period until a final home is decided upon by the Cape Town City Council.
Keith Grenville
16 February 2012
Historical research by Keith Grenville
