The ‘Objects and Concepts’ conference and the HEFS AEC

Győry, Hedvig (2025) The ‘Objects and Concepts’ conference and the HEFS AEC. In: Aegyptus et Pannonia IX. Magyar-Egyiptomi Baráti Társaság, Ókori Egyiptomi Bizottság, Budapest, pp. 7-18. ISBN 9786156571045; 9786156571052

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Abstract

In January 2023, the HEFS AEC organised an international conference called 'Objects and Concepts', which took place in person in the post-Covid era, but was adapted to modern needs in the form of a hybrid event. The event aimed to bring together researchers of Egyptology, the history of medicine, archaeology, and related sciences to initiate a dialogue on the interpretation of material culture. Inspired by two significant anniversaries — the 200th jubilee of Champollion's decipherment of the hieroglyphs and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb — the conference explored the interpretation of material culture. Accordingly, the programme focused on reconsidering the meaning, function, and social role of ancient artefacts, including amulets, ceramics, funerary objects, and modern-day Egyptianiasing artefacts. The Hungarian and English presentations discussed among others the special scarab on one of the pectorals of Tutankhamun, who was provided with no fewer than 78 amulets. Other rare material was also present on his body, such as the iron wedjat eye and headrest amulets. The studies presented in this volume are based on the conference lectures. They cover a wide spectrum, from predynastic animal depictions and reed burials during the Old Kingdom or the figures of Taweret, Bes or the djed-pillar amulet in the reign of the pharaohs, to the adoption of Egyptian material culture in archaic Greek culture, the use of terracotta figurines in a Greek sanctuary in Calabria, and the folk medicinal role of sugar, as well as 20th century Egyptianisation in Zsolnay fabrics. This diversity serves to demonstrate how the meaning and interpretation of objects can change over time and space, and how they reflect human thought, identity, and beliefs.The activities of the HEFS AEC are presented again, in part. In addition to its Egyptological research activities on material culture, the results of which can be read in the volume, the it contributes to familiarising people with ancient Egyptian culture through educational lectures, children's drawing competitions, exhibitions also by international collaborations. It was also the HEFS AEC that introduced the title, the Äncient Egyptian Object of the Year".

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