Endowment supports Egyptology research in Leiden
A special event took place at the Academy Building on Thursday 11 December: the establishment of the new Leiden Egyptology Fund, which the LUF will administer. An alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous has endowed this named fund to support Dr Miriam Müller’s historical and archaeological research on the earliest periods of Egyptian civilisation.
Following a long and varied career as a lawyer and legal adviser, upon retirement, the donor pursued his passion for antiquity and enrolled at Leiden University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Ancient Cultures of the Mediterranean World and is currently in the final stage of a master’s in Classics and Ancient Civilisations. He looks back on his years at the university as a time ‘full of fascinating insights. I learned a great deal […] and found the opportunity to connect with other students inspiring and tremendously rewarding.’
One of his most memorable experiences was the Egyptology in the Field master’s course: ‘We spent two months visiting excavation sites and museums, and spoke to colleagues and other relevant people. It opened my eyes to the archaeological aspect of Egyptology and to people’s great passion for the subject.’ This passion is at the heart of the gift.
With his endowment, the founder hopes ‘to give Egyptology in Leiden even greater exposure and to help put it on the national and global map.’
Research on the Eastern Nile Delta
During his studies, the founder became acquainted with Dr Miriam Müller, a lecturer in Egyptian Archaeology, Art and Material Culture. She was one of his supervisors, and it is her research project, entitled Tell Ibrahim Awad, that he is supporting with the Leiden Egyptology Fund.
The Tell Ibrahim Awad archaeological site is in the Eastern Nile Delta, over 100 kilometres north of Cairo. What makes the site special is that finds have been made, says Müller, ‘from the Predynastic and Early Dynastic periods down to the Middle Kingdom.’ As yet, little is known about the role of the Delta in the emergence of the Egyptian state around 3,000 B.C. ‘We want to answer questions about urbanisation, foreign influences, migration and the socio-economic profile of the population in this period,’ says Müller.
The support means a lot to Müller: ‘I’ll be able to start a major research project that offers practical fieldwork experience to students, creates PhD and postdoc positions and fosters international cooperation.’ The fund will also help reinforce Leiden’s identity: ‘In these times of budget cuts, supporting unique subjects in Leiden like Egyptology is crucial. The fund will ensure extra attention is paid to Egyptian archaeology.’
-
Lilian Visscher and the anonymous donor -
Dr Miriam Müller -
-
The donor with Ben van den Bercken -
Luc Sels, the donor and Lilian Visscher -
Ben van den Bercken, Miriam Müller, the donor and Lilian Visscher -
Official signing
On behalf of the LUF, board member Luc Sels (also President of the university’s Executive Board) expressed his gratitude for this special endowment – as did LUF Director Lilian Visscher. The signing ceremony marks the establishment of a named fund that will strengthen the unique position of Egyptology in Leiden and enable a new generation of researchers to follow their passion and make significant discoveries.
Read more about setting up a named fund or donating to an existing one. If you have any questions, please contact Eliane Cohen at e.c.cohen@luf.leidenuniv.nl.