3 - 4 pm (CET)

Dr. Aurore Ciavatti

While one might consider the Old Kingdom a well-known period, with its famous monuments and kings, its location on our timeline still remains elusive. More than with any other period of Ancient Egypt, its chronological boundaries are still debated.

Research on Old Kingdom chronology relies on regnal years attested by archaeological, historical and textual sources, which reveal a complex system for counting the passing years. The challenge is firstly to increase the amount of data collected, and then to be able to decipher this year-reckoning system, in order to convert these dated events into our time scale. A key to understanding may lie in the gradual evolution of calendars and the synchronization of solar, lunar and celestial times.

Based on some 4th Dynasty examples, we will highlight how evidence for the coordination of time also reveals synchronicities with other standardization practices developed by the Crown to extend its domination over its population and territory at every level. These forms of government knowledge at an everyday level reveal an emic conception of the State during the Old Kingdom. Thus, determining their temporalities might shed new light on our etic conception of the Old Kingdom and its periodization.

Participants can join the online Chronoi Talk by clicking on the following link:

https://fu-berlin.webex.com/fu-berlin/j.php?MTID=m97719475610adc78414cce7e47a18d53

The conference room can be accessed using the following methods:

• Joining directly in your browser; simply click the link above, and look for a button with this option near the bottom of the webpage.

• Downloading the program to your computer (instructions can be found by following the meeting link)

• Using the smartphone app called “Cisco Webex Meetings."

You are welcome to enter the online conference room up to 15 minutes in advance of the start time.