Lectures

Prof. Eugene Cruz-Uribe (Northern Arizona University) will speak on “From the Valley of the Kings to Philae: Ancient and Modern Pilgrimages,” on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 7:15-9:00 PM at Mesa College in Room G 101.  The lecture highlights a series of research projects in Egypt mainly dealing with the subject of ancient pilgrimages to religious and other sites.  Issues discussed will include the pilgrimage routes in ancient Egypt, why the Egyptians went on pilgrimages, how the Christians began to emulate “pagan” pilgrimage practices, and the conflicts that arose between the groups over control of the pilgrimage destination points.  The lecture draws on Cruz-Uribe’s personal field work in Egypt at such sites as the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Isis on the island of Philae and the temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel (among others).