Small statue of Akhenaten wearing the Egyptian Blue Crown of War Credit: John Bodsworth

Daily, I survey archaeological news. For some time, there has been a dearth of news that has significant ramifications to my interests. Today I found an exception. The Pharaoh Akhenaten’s reputation has long been sullied as a renegade, apostate, an effete aberration from his predecessors. Today, I received a remarkable article that suggests he was not a rebel but continued the policies of the prior three Pharaohs.  First, of course, the Wikipedia article which mentions various alternative views. Second the Ancient Origins article about Akhenaten that caught my attention, followed by the first, second, and third articles linked from within the lead article.

I am immersed in finding Beta readers of my latest novel, examining their reviews, and incorporating suggested improvements that resonate. Two have come back with serious insights and a third is reading the first draft. After I have revised the manuscript for the first three, I will send the second draft out to others. This is my primary focus for 2019.

Although busy with revisions and related preparation of my novel, I continue to review my daily archaeological feeds and will start putting out the best that I find in weekly editions of this blog. I’ll define “best” as what captures my interest anywhere in global archaeology and is presented clearly for a reader of this blog.

Thanks for visiting.

R. E. J. Burke