Book description
Richard Parkinson joined the museum in 1991, having taught at Oxford University. He is the curator responsible for the care, research, publication and display of the collection’s papyri, and also hieratic and hieroglyphic texts, inscribed materials including the Rosetta Stone, and the Nebamun wall-paintings; he supervises the department’s archival material and epigraphy, and is responsible for university liaison and access to the department’s collections.
Parkinson’s research interests centre round the interpretation of ancient Egyptian literature, especially the poetry of the classic age (1940-1640 BC). As well the philological editing of manuscripts, he works on material contexts, actors’ perspectives, literary theory (‘new historicist’ and ‘material philology’ practices). He is interested in literary texts as a means for a ‘subaltern’ history, and in issues of performance practice, cultural power, and sexuality in Egyptian culture. He regularly teaches classes and supervises graduates on relevant topics.
