Time itself now lay dead: Asyut and its necropoleis in western travel accounts of the 17th-19th centruies: construction, destruction and reconstruction.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jochem Kahl
• Subject Area: Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Term: from 2013 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 249635594

Asyut in Middle Egypt was one of the most important Egyptian cities during the Pharaonic Period. As a cultural focal point, the city generated artefacts and texts of historical, cultural and artistic importance, which reflect its regional diversity. European and American travellers visited Asyut during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and reported about the city and the western mountain of Asyut - a long time before archaeological excavations took place. One hundred of these travel accounts - some of them hitherto unpublished - are studied in the present book, so that the state of preservation of archaeological monuments during that time can be reconstructed. In addition, one can trace the picture of Asyut and its inhabitants, which the western travellers constructed, and one can also trace how Asyut and its mountain affected the early travellers emotionally.

• DFG Programme: Publication Grants