Egypt and the Press: Reinterpreting Egyptology Through Media

This contribution offers a fresh perspective on three pivotal episodes in Egyptology, explored through contemporary press coverage from the 1930s and 1940s. While certain aspects of Egyptological research remain underrepresented in scholarly literature, print media provide a valuable tool for their reinterpretation. Newspapers, aimed at immediate public engagement, document Egyptological discoveries as ongoing processes, offering a dynamic, multifaceted view. Moreover, they reveal the complex relationships between scholars and institutions, capturing trends in Egyptology and its political intersections. The three case studies include: the 1935 theft of papyri, which sparked a debate on the protection of antiquities and the issue of smuggling; the reopening of the Egyptian Museum after WWII, marking a key moment in Egypt’s post-war cultural revival; and the role of King Faruq I in promoting Egyptological research, including his financial support for fieldwork and official engagement with archaeological missions. Drawing on primary sources from the archive of the French Egyptologist Alexandre Varille, acquired in 2002 by Professor Piacentini at the University of Milan, this paper uncovers overlooked facets of Egyptological history. These topics highlight under-explored research areas and frame Egyptology within a broader sociopolitical context, offering new insights into the discipline’s evolving landscape.