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Suzanne Onstine

Assistant Professor of Egyptology & Ancient History

Office Location: Mitchell Hall 101

Phone Number: (901) 678-3383

Fax: (901) 678-2720

Email: sonstine@memphis.edu

Homepage: http://history.memphis.edu/sonstine/

Degree: MA and PhD in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations from University of Toronto [concentration in Egyptian art and archaeology]

Current Research Project:

TT 16; the tomb of Panehsy in Dra abu el-Naga, Luxor, Egypt

In 2007 I was awarded an ARCE fellowship to study the tomb of Panehsy, a man who held the unusual title of "overseer of the chanters of the offering table of Amun". During my doctoral research I discovered very few men who were chanters - as opposed to the innumerable women who were chantresses in cult ceremonies. I was therefore hopeful that an investigation of the largest monument of one such man would shed some light on the title and the duties associated with being a chanter/chantress. In two subsequent seasons I continued this research as a full scale epigraphic project, documenting the beautiful painted relief and the many inscriptions on the walls. The image at the top of this page of Panehsy and his wife Tarenu is from the rear wall of their tomb. As the epigraphic phase draws to a close we are preparing for conservation and cleaning in the tomb. If you would like to contribute to this project, tax-deductable donations can be made through the University of Memphis. For details, please e-mail me.

Publications:

"Singing", entry in UCLA encyclopedia of Egyptology [in press]

"Gender and Religion in Ancient Egypt", Religion Compass [in press]

“Mesaid Miscellanea”, Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities vol. 32(2005) [published 2007].

The Role of the Chantress (Smayt) in Ancient Egypt (2005, British Archaeological Reports, London)

“Musician Priestesses in Ancient Egypt”, The Ostracon. Vol. 13, no. 2; Summer 2002

“Women in Ancient Egypt” Egypt Revealed June, 2001

“The Relationship between Re and Osiris in the Book of Caverns”, Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities vol. 25 (1995) [published 1998].

Academic advising:

Currently I serve as the faculty mentor for the Epsilon Nu chapter of Phi Alpha Theta and for the Egyptology Graduate Students Association [EGSA]. Both are official RSOs at the University and sponsor lectures and social activities for students. EGSA has a Facebook group you can join if you are a UM student in Egyptology.