Writer researching ancient Egypt looking for assistance

May 10, 2012 7:39 AM

I'm researching ancient Egypt for a Middle Grade book, and I'd love to find an expert or two whose brains I can pick.

Have I read books? Lord, yes -- many, many books, from popular stuff to specialized material, old stuff and new stuff. I chose the Third Dynasty because it was an exciting time in Egypt, and because most Egyptian books for young readers concentrate on the 18th Dynasty -- because of King Tut. But I chose the 3rd, primarily because that was when Imhotep lived. And I don't mean the guy from the Mummy movies -- I mean the real, historical Imhotep, the man who designed and built the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. He was a vizier, an architect, a healer, an astronomer -- in short, the Leonardo of his time. What a fascinating character!

Additionally, because we know so little, relatively speaking, about the 3rd Dynasty, I can make things up -- to some extent. But I am not an academic... I'm a writer. And my research leaves me with questions I can't answer. I want to be as accurate as I can, so to that end I'm looking for brains to pick. I joined an online discussion group for Near East researchers -- but they're all academics, and man -- they're a cantankerous, acrimonious bunch! They infight like crazy. Worse than a bunch of writers. I don't even want to ask them anything. So... help?

Thanks!

posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit to media & arts (2 answers total)

Check your memail.
posted by gudrun at 9:12 AM on May 10, 2012

Thanks!
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 5:49 PM on May 10, 2012