Ancient Egyptian Forum

Akhnaton · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:35 pm Post subject: The real Belzoni

Did Giovanni Battista Belzoni expand our knowledge of ancient Egypt or was he merely a ruthless tomb raider who wanted gold and glory for himself?
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Amarna

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Osiris II · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

It's quite easy for us to criticize the practices of Belzoni, but it is necessary to view him more with a concept of excavation "skills" of his time. It was not considered at all unusual to use explosive charges to blast one's way into a tomb!
Because of Belzoni, we can credit the discovery of Seti's tomb--one of the most magnificent in the VoK. He excavated Abu Simbel, which was almost completely covered with sand. The British Museum. in London, was the beneficiary of the Egyptian collection of Henry Salt, for whom Belzoni supplied most of the out-standing pieces. True, basically he was an adventurer, but his exploration and excavation started us on our quest for knowledge concerning Egypt.

Akhnaton · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:50 am Post subject: Nice

Thanks Osiris II you have made a valid point about Belzoni. I agree with you Smile

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Amarna

Akhnaton · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:44 am Post subject: Belzoni

Hurray

I saw a wonderful documentary on Belzoni's exploits just now on Fox History channel Very Happy

It portrayed him as someone who was genuinely in love with Egypt and not one who was out to loot her treasures Exclamation

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Amarna

Osiris II · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

Here's a bit more information for you, Akhnaton:

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/abcde/belzoni_giovanni.html

Enjoy!