THE EGYPTIAN SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Shemu Articles
SHEMU
Shemu is the Society’s quarterly newsletter, issued in January, April, July and October. Shemu is an Egyptian word meaning ‘harvest’.
The rise of the Nile flood in July marked the New Year for ancient Egyptians and this, the first season from July to October, was called akhet (inundation), go be followed by peret (time of emergence) from November to February as the Nile waters subside. The final season from March to June was shemu, a word that came to mean ‘harvest’.
The TESSA newsletter is sent to members, relevant organisations and institutions in South Africa, the USA, UK and Egypt. Please e-mail the Secretary on capevent1@gmail.com.
A visit to the West Bank, Luxor – sights to see
Ted Loukes shares some of the highlights visitors can expect on the West Bank in Luxor Many of us have done those tours that include a handful of days on a cruise ship between Luxor and Aswan, and they usually include a start or finish day in Luxor itself – cramming...
Discovering culinary delights of the past. What did ancient Egyptians eat?
Sandra Visser takes us on a brief foodie fact-finding mission to discover what ancient Egyptians enjoyed dishing up. BREAD AND BEER formed the basis of both rich and poor ancient Egyptians’ diet. Bread was made from wheat and barley, while the latter was also used to...
Athanasius Kircher – a forerunner in Egyptology
Nerine Dorman has a glance at the life and times of one of modern Egyptology's forerunners FOR CENTURIES, MANY of ancient Egypt’s splendours were hidden beneath the sands, largely forgotten; however ancient Egypt’s mystique lingered, inspiring everyone from biblical...
Meet SHEMU’s new copy editor – Sandra Visser
FIRSTLY, WE WOULD like to thank our outgoing copy editor and writer Jane Mulder for her many years of loyal service. SHEMU would not be where it is today without your valuable contribution. That being said, we would like to give a warm welcome to our new copy editor,...
A tribute to Professor Anthony Humphreys – May 16, 1945 to March 20, 2026
Joseph Koetsier shares this heartfelt tribute to our much-loved member FORMER MCGREGOR MUSEUM archaeologist, Emeritus Professor Anthony Humphreys and former chairperson of The Egyptian Society of South Africa, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Cape Town. The...
The ancient Egyptian chariot and its uses in civil context by men and women
The Egyptian chariot was used for warfare, hunting and sports. Besides that, it particularly was the supreme mode of locomotion for the elite in the New Kingdom for private and public purposes. In most cases, men are shown on chariots, but there is some evidence for...
The recently discovered fortress of Zarw and the north-eastern frontier
TED LOUKES THE RECENT DISCOVERY of the remains of a Ptolemaic fortress, as well as one from the Roman period, at the site of Tell Abu Saifi, east of the Suez Canal, highlights the importance of the eastern frontier defences. It is understood that this fortress...
The Persian pharaohs: Egypt under the 27th Dynasty
Professor Henry Colburn shares his thoughts on the 27th Dynasty pharaohs Writing in the early Ptolemaic period, the Egyptian priest and historian Manetho described the beginning of the 27th Dynasty thus: ‘Cambyses in the fifth year of his kingship over the Persians...