Tag: Jarman C

A Value Built Upon Treasures; Ancient Egypt and Modern Day Qatar

My ACE Day presentation is about a document called, “Harkhuf’s Expeditions to Nubia.” This document gives an account of an Egyptian royal official from the Old Kingdom and the letter sent to him from Pharaoh Neferkare about his return. This story tells us that great treasures were found in Nubia for the people of Egypt and the return of officials from these countries brought excitement at the offerings they held. It shows the power of an object to convey the feeling of anticipation for one’s return, and in some cases this anticipation could even be associated with the feeling of missing someone. The impact of his travels on both himself and the Pharaoh of Egypt tell a story of one’s role in society. Harkhuf’s role became greater and was appreciated more because of his acts in seeking out and returning with valuable objects. The story I tell in relation to this conveys the same feeling, that one can amplify their importance through their absence and the excitement of their return. My story is related to a specific time when my father was deployed to Qatar on a United States Air Base called Al Udeid. I connect this story and the anticipation of my father’s return to the same anticipation the Pharaoh had for Harkhuf’s return. The idea is that our anticipation changes the way we may view someone, suddenly giving them emotional power or belonging in a way that they never would have been able to gain before. My story and the story of Harkhuf’s expeditions tell of the material joy of one’s return, and the potential harm in this manipulation of their image, whether this harm is done on purpose or accident.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 3:30 PM

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