Dr Paul T. Nicholson

Qualifications

B.A. in Prehistory & Archaeology, Sheffield University (1st Hons.). Awarded 1981.

PhD in Archaeology, Sheffield University. Awarded 1987.

Career Overview


1994 - Present Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at HISAR, Cardiff University.

1991-1994 De Velling Willis Research Fellow at the Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield. (Researching production and distribution in ancient Egypt, with particular reference to ceramics)

1990-1991 British Academy & Egypt Exploration Society Research Associate at the Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield. (Petrology of Egyptian Pottery)

1988-1990 S.E.R.C. Postdoctoral Research Fellowship held at the Universities of Cambridge and Sheffield. (Scientific examination of Egyptian pottery from Amarna)

1985-1987 Leverhulme Trust Research Assistantship with the Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield. (Egyptian Pottery)


Teaching Profile


Gave lectures on early technology, archaeological science and Egyptology at Sheffield University and has developed new courses in these areas at Cardiff.


Other activities


Member of Egypt Exploration Society Committee

Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries

Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society


Teaching


I attempt to introduce the analysis of archaeological materials through knowledge of their technology. The modules I currently teach are:


• Introduction To Egyptian Archaeology

• Introduction To Egyptian Funerary Archaeology

  1. •Archaeological Science


Contribute teaching on:


• Dating the archaeological record

• Technology and Artifacts

  1. •Complex Societies in Barbarian Europe


Research Projects


The Amarna Glass Project - 1993 to 2007 (publication due 2007). An examination of if the ancient Egyptians could actually make, rather than simply work, glass. This specifically involved the excavation of a site at Tell el-Amarna and extensive documentary research. The project aim is to excavate a likely glass production area at Tell el-Amarna, assess the evidence found and compare it with work done by Flinders Petrie at Amarna in the late 19th Century.

The Memphis Faience Project - 2000 - Present. An examination of faience production at Roman Memphis, and whether or not the work of Flinders Petrie at this site had influenced his view of the production of glass and faience at Tell el-Amarna. The project aim is elucidation of the stages in making faience at Roman Memphis and the determination of the accuracy of Petrie’s reconstruction of the process.

The Sacred Animal Necropolis at North Saqqara - 1993 to Present.  Examining the aspects of the Sacred Animal Cults at Saqqara, specifically the creation and filling of their catacombs with animal mummies. The project aims to map the Northern Ibis Catacomb, and to examine the mummification of Ibis and falcons.

Roman Glass at Berenike - 1996 to Present. An examination of Roman glass from the important trading port at Berenike on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. The project aim is determination of the types of glass found at Berenike and their historical and social importance.


Publications


Paul T. Nicholson (2007) Brilliant Things for Akhenaten. Egypt Exploration Society.Editors: Paul T. Nicholson and Ian Shaw (2000) Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology. Cambridge University Press.

Janine D. Bourriau, Lawrence Smith and Paul T. Nicholson (2000) New Kingdom Pottery Fabrics. Egypt Exploration Society.

Ian Shaw and Paul T. Nicholson (1995) The British Museum Dictionary of Ancient Egypt. British Museum Press.