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Profane Egyptologists

The Modern Revival of Ancient Egyptian Religion

Paul Harrison author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:12th Dec '19

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Profane Egyptologists cover

It is widely believed that the practice of ancient Egyptian religion ceased with the end of pharaonic culture and the rise of Christianity. However, an organised reconstruction and revival of the authentic practice of Egyptian, or Kemetic religion has been growing, almost undocumented, for nearly three decades. Profane Egyptologists is the first in-depth study of the now-global phenomenon of Kemeticism. Presenting key players in their own words, the book utilises extensive interviews to reveal a continuum of beliefs and practices spanning eight years of community growth.

The existence of competing visions of Egypt, which employ ancient material and academic resources, questions the position of Egyptology as a gatekeeper of Egypt's past. Exploring these boundaries, the book highlights the politised and economic factors driving the discipline's self-conception. Could an historically self-imposed insular nature have harmed Egyptology as a field, and how could inclusive discussion help guard against further isolationism?

Profane Egyptologists is both an Egyptological study of Kemeticism, and a critical study of the discipline of Egyptology itself. It will be of value to scholars and students of archaeology and Egyptology, cultural heritage, religion online, phenomenology, epistemology, pagan studies and ethnography, as well as Kemetics and devotees of Egyptian culture.

"Profane Egyptologists is the first monograph-length discussion of the subject, and is the product of a fouryear study conducted as part of Paul Harrison’s Ph.D. research. In this, it is a pioneering and welcome contribution on a poorly understood movement......It is an important work, and it is hoped that its pioneering contribution inspires further research into Kemeticism and to the use of ancient Egypt by modern religious communities more broadly."

Ethan Doyle White, University College London, UK

ISBN: 9780367891015

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 450g

230 pages