If you Google “Egyptian antiquities” and follow it up with “Egyptian archaeology,” you get a profoundly worrisome picture of how ancient sites are faring in Egypt. Yes, Christie's and other similar purveyors of other people's past are still posting tantalizing photographs of purported ancient artifacts most of which, not being buyers, we can only hope are fakes. Despite the well-publicized ongoing looting of archaeological sites and a steady stream of objects leaving their country of origin, innovative research in the field of Egyptian archaeology is flourishing as the three feature articles that explore new methods and theories in this issue demonstrate.
Ellen Morris discusses the obsession of Egypt's rulers, during all periods, with protecting their northeastern border by keeping fugitives in and immigrants out. Taking a decidedly modern view of their persistent fortification and policing of those borders, she frames this policy as a form of structural violence that is...
