S Papyrus: Vom Schilf zur Schrift
Instructors: Martina Landrino M.A.Shortname: S Methoden Arch
Course No.: 07.848.1010
Course Type: Seminar
Requirements / organisational issues
The course explores papyrus as a writing material in depth. No prior knowledge of Middle Egyptian is required.Active participation during class sessions is essential for the successful completion of the course. Various group activities are planned. Any additional course requirements or module assessments necessary for completing the module will be discussed in the first class meeting.
All course materials will be made available via Moodle. A reference collection of key literature is available in the Egyptology library (non-circulating).
Students from other disciplines are very welcome. However, they are expected to participate actively in class activities.
Recommended reading list
- Cerný, Jaroslav M., Paper & Books in Ancient Egypt, Chicago 1977.
- Krutzsch, Myriam, “Einzelblatt und Rolle. Zur Anatomie von Papyrushandschriften”, in: Frank Feder, Gunnar Sperveslage, and Steinborn, Florian (eds), Ägypten begreifen. Erika Endesfelder in memoriam (IBAES 19), Berlin/London 2017, pp. 213–22.
- Krutzsch, Myriam, “Blattklebungen erkennen und dokumentieren”, in: Jörg Graf, and Krutzsch, Myriam (eds), Ägypten lesbar machen–die klassische Konservierung/Restaurierung von Papyri und neuere Verfahren. Beiträge des 1. Internationalen Workshops der Papyrusrestauratoren, Leipzig 7.–9. September 2006 (APF 24), Berlin 2008.
- Krutzsch, Myriam, “Falttechniken an Handschriften aus dem Alten Ägypten”, in: Burkhard Backes, Irmtraut Munro, and Stöhr, Simone (eds), Totenbuch-Forschungen. Gesammelte Beiträge des 2. Internationalen Totenbuch-Symposium 2005 (SAT 11), Wiesbaden 2006, pp. 167–96.
- Menei, Eve, “Remarques sur la Fabrication des Rouleaux de Papyrus. Précisions sur la Formation et l’Assemblage des Feuillets”, RdE 44 (1993), pp. 185–88.
- Parkinson, Richard B. and Stephen Quirke, Papyrus, London 1995.
- Turner, Eric G., Greek Papyri. An Introduction, Princeton 1968 (online).
- Turner, Eric G., “Recto and Verso”, JEA 40 (1954), pp. 102–06.
Contents
Papyrus is undoubtedly one of the key concepts associated with ancient Egypt. It is commonly linked either to religious texts connected with beliefs about the afterlife or to calculations and lists characteristic of administrative documentation. Papyri are often considered primarily from the perspective of their textual content, as sources for reconstructing the administrative, social, and cultural structures of ancient Egyptian society.But what is papyrus in material terms?
Beyond the text, papyri offer important insights into their own production and use. The process from the papyrus plant to the written sheet is long and complex.
The aim of this course is to examine papyrus from an archaeological and material perspective, focusing on its production, use, and storage, as well as on how these practices changed over time. The course thus provides students with fundamental methodological approaches to the material culture of written transmission in ancient Egypt.
Dates
| Date (Day of the week) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 04/14/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 04/21/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 04/28/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 05/05/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 05/12/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 05/19/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 05/26/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 06/02/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 06/09/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 06/16/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 06/23/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 06/30/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
| 07/07/2026 (Tuesday) | 12:15 - 13:45 | 00 308 Ägyptologie 9133 - Aareon-Gebäude |
