The Enlightenment Rediscovery of Egyptology

In 1759, botanist and scientist Vitaliano Donati led an expedition to Egypt to acquire Egyptian antiquities for the Museum in Turin. Charting his tumultuous expedition, this book reveals how Donati laid the foundations for one of the earliest and largest systematic collections of Egyptology in Europe, and helped to bring the world of ancient Egypt into the consciousness of Enlightenment scholarship. By examining Donati's expedition to Egypt, and seeking to identify the objects he sent back to Turin, the volume provides a fascinating insight into early collecting practice and the lasting historical impact of these items.

Angela Scattolin Morecroft holds an MA in Egyptian Archaeology from University College London and an MPhil and PhD in Egyptology from Cambridge University. Her discovery of Donati's packing list was announced in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology in 2006.