A Beginner’s Guide to Falling in Love with Egypt
On page 4 of her book 'Nefertiti Lived Here', Mary Chubb, once a secretary of the EES, wrote:
When I arrived for the first day's work I think I must have held the record for knowing less about Egyptology than any other person who had crossed that learned threshold (...)
I joined the Egypt Exploration Society in July 2025, and while the ‘learned threshold’ in question is now a different one to the EES of 1930, I can cheerfully say that Mary Chubb and I were in the exact same boat. My background in fundraising, museum governance, and library science prepared me for the day-to-day duties of being Head of Operations, but nothing could have prepared me for diving headfirst into a brand-new world of history and wonder – or for how much I’d fall in love with it.
Prior to this year my only introduction to Egyptian history were two children’s books; Egyptology, the famous, gold-covered ‘recreation’ of a lost scrapbook journal written by Dugald Steer, and a fantastic puzzle book called A Puzzling Day in the Land of the Pharaohs by Scoular Anderson (think Magic School Bus meets Where’s Wally – hours of fun for a small child on a wet day!) I reached out to my new colleagues for some more adult recommendations to help me dip my toes into the water of Egyptology – and as keen Egyptologists, they were of course more than happy to oblige. If you, like me, are new to this fascinating world, then here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been listening to and reading to inspire your own journey.
I started my EES journey with the book I quoted above: Nefertiti Lived Here by Mary Chubb, who was a secretary for the EES before discovering a passion for archaeology in Tell el Amarna. I was expecting a dry account of a 1930s archaeological dig, and instead was swept away by Chubb’s storytelling, humour, and sensitivity. I could easily fit myself into Chubb’s shoes as I read her recollections of working with a young John Pendlebury, painstakingly handling unearthed treasures, and falling in love with Egypt for the first time.
Next on my list was a much more modern text: Stolen Fragments: Black Markets, Bad Faith, and the Illicit Trade in Ancient Artefacts by Roberta Mazza. While Nefertiti Lived Here gives an insight into the way things were done in the early days of the EES, Stolen Fragments brings the legacy of colonialism and the real consequences of illegal antiquity trade into the light. I was completely absorbed by this exposé that reads like a detective thriller, and while it is an academic work, it’s written in an engaging style with a real human interest factor that meant even I, as a layperson, could easily keep up.
Now there are many more books on my TBR pile, (it’s an actual pile on my desk – thanks Carl!), but right now I’m gorging myself on Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries, our newest publication. Edited by Stephanie Boonstra and Campbell Price, with contributions from EES colleagues and experts in the field, 50 Discoveries is an essential guide to ancient Egypt and a fascinating introduction to the legacy of the EES. I’ve been reading just a few pages at a time, getting to know the objects in depth, and planning to visit some in person soon!
Now, as much as I love books, I can’t be reading every hour of the day. I love listening to a podcast on a long commute or curled up with the cats on the sofa. The first podcast that was recommended to me was Dominic Perry’s History of Egypt, which offers an academic but truly engaging overview of Ancient Egypt, ‘from Creation to Cleopatra’. It’s certainly an investment in time but well worth it: I’ll be starting on the Middle Kingdom episodes soon and I can’t wait!
Another podcast I’ve been listening to is Spirits; a heady blend of history, folklore, and fabulous cocktails. Amanda McLoughlin and Julia Schifini deliver ‘fresh takes on classic myths’ with a signature drink to match each story. Their series – Denial Isn’t Just a River in Egypt – gives a comprehensive and wickedly funny overview of the Egyptian pantheon, while a more recent episode titled Curse of the Pharaohs is a fascinating deep dive into Victorian Egyptomania.
And of course, the Egypt Exploration Society put out our own podcast this year! Away With the Pharaohs is available now. Hosted by our own Charlotte Jordan, we draw on our collections and friends in the world of Egyptology to bring you entertaining, thought-provoking episodes on Egyptian history and culture. Check out our first full-length episode with special guest Aidan Dodson and host Charlotte, who try to answer the question: Were pharaohs just ‘pyramid scheme’ leaders—or building a true legacy?
That’s plenty for me to be getting on with, but if you see me at an EES event in person or online, I hope you’ll share your own recommendations for getting lost in the world of Egyptian heritage. Until then, I’ll be in the library getting through my TBR pile!
