Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Ancient Egypt in Yorkshire

Professor Joann Fletcher, Department of Archaeology, University of York

Although the modern world’s fascination with ancient Egypt is well-known, few realise that Egypt’s ancient culture had reached Yorkshire by Roman times, its impact on political, religious and funerary practices revealed by the most northerly temple ever built in honour of Egypt’s gods to the mummification discovered at various sites across the county. Then with the western world’s subsequent rediscovery of ancient Egypt in the C.17^th, much of this can again be traced back to Yorkshire, whose pioneering antiquarians, collectors, archaeologists and artists – including members of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society – played a key role in the development of Egyptology, even if their true legacy is only now beginning to come to light.

Member’s report

When the Romans invaded Britain they brought Egypt with them. They had been influenced by the culture mainly through contacts between leaders from Rome and Egypt, most famously, perhaps, by the relationship of Anthony and Cleopatra. Many of their soldiers in Britain were from North Africa.

There are numerous collections of Egyptian artefacts in museums throughout the UK. Disproportionately high quantities were discovered in Yorkshire and elsewhere in the North, many during the York railway excavations. Past YPS members featured amongst the names of the many enthusiasts who put collections together in the 19th century.

During this highly entertaining and humorous talk, Joann emphasised the part played by her beloved Barnsley in this whole story. One of the town’s museums contains a significant Egyptian collection, including sixteen coins discovered in the area.

She also highlighted a Barnsley man, Harold Jones, who worked as an artist in the Valley of the Kings and raised the possibility of finding Tutankhamun some years before Howard Carter’s discovery of the actual tomb, but his contribution has gone unrecognised – until now.

Yorkshire has not gone unnoticed in Egypt itself. The Egyptian Coptic Church part-funded the statue of Constantine outside York Minster.

Ken Hutson