Suzanne L. Onstine

Assistant Professor

Faculty advisor, Phi Alpha Theta

101 Mitchell

901.678.3383 901.678.2720

sonstine@memphis.edu

Ph.D., Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, University of Toronto, 2001

Fields of interest

Egyptology

Within Egyptology, my main areas of interest are women's history and religion. My book The Role of the Chantress in Ancient Egypt explores the intersection of these two subjects and reveals new insights into the political and social nature of women's activities. My approach to history is interdisciplinary, drawing on texts, art historical material, archaeology, and anthropological theory. This often leads me to research the material culture and social history of Egypt, focusing on the lives and pursuits of non-elite Egyptians. I am also very interested in the Nubian cultures that were contemporary with Ancient Egypt.

In the summer of 2007 I began a new epigraphic field work project in Luxor, Egypt, in the tomb of Pa-nehsy and Ta-renut (TT16). TT16 is a painted Ramesside tomb that has many unique scenes of temple activity and scenes relating to the worship of the deified Amenhotep I and Ahmose-Nefertari. The project will be ongoing until all the texts and painted scenes have been documented photographically and through digital epigraphy.

In 2008 I will also be serving as Faculty advisor for the Alpha Nu chapter of Phi Alpha Theta as well as for the Egyptology Graduate Student Association. Starting in fall 2008 I will be an affiliate with the Women's and Gender Studies program.

Courses taught

Scheduled for Fall 2008

4323/6323 Egypt of the Pharaohs
7320/8320 Seminar on Predynastic and early Egypt
1110 World Civ. I

In development [I welcome suggestions from students]

Women in the Ancient Mediterranean World
Nubian Cultures
Predynastic and Early Egypt
Late Period Egypt

Representative publications

"Mesaid Miscellanea," Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities 32 (2005)
The Role of the Chantress in Ancient Egypt (London: British Archaeological Reports, 2005)
"Musician Priestesses in Ancient Egypt," The Ostracon 13, no. 2 (Summer 2002)
"Women in Ancient Egypt," Egypt Revealed (June 2001)
"The Relationship between Re and Osiris in the Book of Caverns," Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities 25 (1995) [published 1998]