Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 7:30 p.m.

Chapter: Oregon Chapter in cooperation with the Middle East Studies Center of Portland State University

Presenter: Rebecca Hodgin, PSU Alumna, 2010, Graduate Student at the University of Arkansas

Location: Smith Memorial Student Union, Rm. 236, Portland State University

Lecture is free and open to the public. Free parking in PSU parking structures after 7:00 p.m.

Description: There are four different types of Ancient Egyptian animal mummies: animals used as food in the afterlife for the deceased, pets buried with their owner, sacred animals worshiped throughout life and mummified upon death, and votive offerings dedicated to various gods at shrines. The mummification process involved elements of medicine and religion, allowing the animal to survive for posterity in the afterlife. Dr. Salima Ikram at the American University in Cairo conducted an experimental archaeology project with her students to mummify a sheep and a cat. In the presentation, Rebecca Hodgin will report on her involvement with this project, including the process used and results of the study. This information is presented with the kind permission of Dr. Ikram, who will be publishing her findings in the near future.

About the Speaker: Rebecca Hodgin just received her Bachelors of Science from Portland State University in Anthropology with a Minor in Arabic and in French. During her junior year, she attended the American University in Cairo where she studied under Dr. Salima Ikram and worked on various Egyptological projects. Hodgin begins graduate school this August at the University of Arkansas to study Biological Anthropology with a focus on ancient Egypt. Currently, she is an editor for the Cairo Museum International Newsletter and the Research Consultant for Past Preservers, a British company in Egypt promoting cultural preservation and documentation of the past. Hodgin is also the ARCE/Oregon Chapter Secretary.

Contact: For additional information, call (503) 725-4074.