Early Egyptology: Beyond Nationalism?
Résumé
Egyptology was born in the 19th century, in a context of fierce competition between the Western Powers. As a logical consequence of its inception in the century of nationalism, it is often analyzed through the lens of this fractured and quarrelsome background. Such emphasis on external factors does indeed align in some measure with the perception of the protagonists of the time themselves; national scopes may moreover offer a convenient historiographic framework, with clear criteria of analysis that roughly match the institutional gathering of archival documents. However, a constant attention to national allegiance as a determining factor in sensibility and behaviour may induce a simplistic perception of the situation that overlooks the complexity of individual agency and interpersonal relations. Fellow countrymen rarely form a monolithic group devoid of internal conflicts, and several scholars of note had trajectories that defy national compartmentalization. An excessive attention on national ties is especially questionable in the study of the development of a science, where individual initiative remains more determining than state policy, even if the latter can create opportunities and means of action. Re-evaluating early Egyptologists’ attitude towards their peers from other countries, and more broadly any foreigners and other nations (including Egypt) could then be of interest, including a look to possible divergences between their public and private positions, since their activities were often dependent of state sponsorship and at least acquiescence from the diplomatic corps. The projected communication aims to assess the relevance of the national scope in the context of Egyptology before the First World War. As a tribute to the CRE spirit of fellowship and cooperation, we also intend to recall how much international scholarly enterprises and friendships contributed to the development of Egyptology in the 19th century.