Tourist Convoys now stopped in Egypt

We are delighted to hear that the onerous convey system no longer applies.  This is very good news for those intrepid visitors who like to go to the lesser visited sites at Abydos and Edfu.  Security personnel are still needed in more remote sites not normally visited by tourists. Please check with the authorities before you plan a trip.

NEW TO THE COMMITTEE (September 08)
The Committee now has a new co-opted member for 2008-09. It is Louise.  She is a committed MAES member and her input onto the Committee will be greatly appreciated.  Watch out for the jute shopping bags with MAES logo on which will be on sale soon; Louise's first project!

MAES MEMBERS SUPPORT WORTHWHILE CAUSES
MAES members (through the Raffle fund) have supported some major Egyptological Projects.  They are:

* The Oxford Expedition
* Dakhleh Oasis Project
* Friends of Nekhen
* Amarna Project
* Amenhotep III Temple Project at Luxor
* Chicago House

All have received £100 each. Thanks to our members for supporting these worthwhile projects.  For further details please see our Newsletter; Djehuty (members only)

MAES HEB SED

The Society was 20 years old in 2007, and we held a Heb Sed Festival in Celebration.

Entitled "Nile Reflections", it was a special evening where members shared their experiences in Egypt, telling us about their favourite places and Egyptian influences.  For example, Victor Blunden gave us a guided tour of Nefertari's tomb (one of his favourites), and Judith Corbelli told us about the splendid diamond jewellry in the Royal Jewellry Museum in Alexandria.  During the evening we held a book auction where members could bid for donated books.  It was a very special and enjoyable evening for all members and friends. 

Some members dressed as they would in Egypt or in Egyptian costume and we share photos of just three of them.  All the Committee were too busy to take photographs so the photo gallery is a bit limited!  Left to right: Audrey Carter, Peter Phillips (Bob lurking in the background) and Sandra Whittleston.

The Heb Sed Festival has it roots in the Old Kingdom in Ancient Egypt. It was a celebration of the Pharaoh's right to rule and his royal powers were renewed. As with many propaganda techniques the Pharaoh is depicted as a fit and able person who can demonstrate his physical and mental prowess to lead his people. The festival itself was associated with deities such as Wepawet and Ma’at.

Usually the festival celebrated the Pharaoh’s thirty year of rule, but there is some evidence that some Pharaohs, particularly those who had short reigns celebrated earlier. It is a little bit like the U.K. monarch’s Jubilee celebrations. The idea of the festivals continued and evidence is throughout all Pharaonic history.

MAES’s Heb Sed Festival celebrated 20 years, not 30, and it was along the lines of consolidating friendships, sharing Egyptology experiences and setting the scene for the continuation of the Society for another 30 or more years.

It also celebrated the hard work and commitment of all those who have made MAES a huge success over the years and setting good omens for the future ahead.

This is the collectors Heb Sed Mug... all are now gone.