Historical overview

Significant dates in the history of Czech Egyptology

1878

The first native Czech Egyptologist Giovanni (Jan) Kminek-Szedlo took lectures at Bologna University.

1905

František Lexa published the first Czech translations of ancient Egyptian texts.

1919

František Lexa became private Senior Lecturer (“docent”) in Egyptology at the Charles University. First lectures in Egyptology at the Faculty of Arts of the Charles University.

1922

František Lexa was awarded the title of extraordinary Professor of Egyptology at the CHARLES UNIVERSITY Faculty of Arts.

1925

A Seminar for Egyptology was established at the Faculty of Arts of the Charles University.

1927

Frantisek Lexa became Professor for Egyptology at the Charles University.

1930

Jaroslav Černý became private Senior Lecturer in Egyptology at the Charles University after his return from the French excavations at Deir el-Medina.

1938-1951

Lexa published his Grammaire demotique.

1954

Zbyněk Žába became Senior Lecturer in Egyptology at the Charles University.

1958

The Czechoslovak Institute of Egyptology was established at Charles University in both Prague and Cairo.

1960

Death of František Lexa. Appointment of Zbyněk Žába as director of the institute.

1961-1965

The Czech Institute of Egyptology took part in the UNESCO Nubia salvage action. Excavations in Kertasi, Tafa, Wadi Qitna, Kalabsha.

1960-1974

Excavations began in the Ptahshepses Mastaba in Abusir.

1970

The death of Jaroslav Černý.

1971

The death of Zbyněk Žába. Appointment of Fr.Váhala as director of the Institute.

1974

The death of František Váhala. Appointment of Miroslav Verner as director of the Institute.

from 1976

Excavations have taken place in the southern part of the pyramid field of Abusir, namely:
1976-1987: Eastern Field of Mastabas of the Royal family
1978-80: Mortuary Complex of Queen Khentkaus
1981-98: Mortuary Complex of King Raneferef
1987-1994: Pyramid “Lepsius XXIV”
1994: Mastaba of Prince Nakhtsare.

During these excavations the Papyrus Archives of King Neferefre and Queen Khentkaus were unearthed, further statues of Neferefre and many other important finds.

from 1981

a Saito-Persian shaft-tombs cemetery has been unearthed, namely:
1981-1993: Shaft-tomb of admiral and physician Wedjahorresnet
from 1995: Shaft-tomb of “majordomus” Iufaa with an unthieved sarcophagus chamber with the complete burial equipment
2001: excavations of an unusual cult complex to the east from the main shaft of the tomb; excavation a small shaft tomb of Padihor
2002: excavation of an unnamed shaft tomb located to the east of the shaft tomb of Wedjahorresnet.

from 1991

Excavations in the area of Southern Abusir began, namely in: the mastaba of Kaaper, Fetekta, Ity, Gegi, Qar and Hetepi.

2000

establishing of the Czech National Centre of Egyptology

Úvod > Institute > Historical overview