A touch of Egypt is visiting the University of Louisville this semester through the scholarship of Dr. Bob Brier, this year’s Fred Morgan Professor in fine arts. Since 1975, architectural scholars have been visiting campus thanks to an endowment left by Morgan to the Allen R. Hite Art Institute.
A world-renowned Egyptologist and author of several books concerning ancient Egyptian culture, Brier is teaching a course at U of L this semester entitled “Ancient Egyptian Architecture.” The class centers on the architectural elements involved in the construction of the ancient Egyptian pyramids. Student interest in this topic is evident in the fact that course enrollment exceeds the maximum number of students originally indicated in the schedule of courses.
“I think it’s a great class and a great opportunity,” said Mary Yates, a graduate fine art student enrolled in Brier’s class. She also stated that the class offered “more information than I ever dreamed.”
Classmate Cassandra Kincheloe agreed with Yates, describing Brier’s incorporation of philosophy and religion in the curriculum as interesting and enthralling. Brier hopes to foster in his pupils the same appreciation he had as a college student for Egyptian culture and architecture.
Brier’s own fascination with Egyptology actually sprung from an injury he sustained playing basketball. While recovering from an injury to his ACL, Brier read a textbook about hieroglyphics that someone had given him.
Since 1974, Brier has supplemented his academic knowledge of ancient Egyptian culture by visiting Egypt over 100 times.
Brier said his most memorable trip was probably the one he took to gather information for his book The Murder of Tutankhamen: A True Story. On this trip he sought to piece together information regarding the validity of a rumor that King Tutankhamen was actually murdered.
Those who were unable to take his class are able to learn about Brier’s research in Egyptology in two free lectures offered on U of L’s campus.
On Feb. 12, Brier will give a lecture detailing his involvement in constructing a full-scale replica of a boat discovered underneath the great pyramid titled “The Boat Beneath the Pyramid: Cheops Solar Barque.” This talk will occur at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the J.B. Speed Art Museum.
“Making a Mummy with Bob Brier,” which occurred on Jan. 27, revealed his experience constructing a modern mummy using ancient Egyptian methods and a human cadaver.
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