Hesyre served as a high court official under King Djoser around 2650 BC, early in Egypt’s Old Kingdom. He was chief of the royal scribes and held both religious and secular offices, and is also celebrated as the earliest recorded physician and dentist in history. Our understanding of Hesyre derives chiefly from his richly decorated mastaba tomb at Saqqara, whose walls feature depictions of daily life—tools, furniture and board games among them.
Among the most remarkable features of the tomb are eleven finely carved acacia-wood relief panels that once adorned the niches of a long corridor. These panels depict Hesyre in a variety of elegant poses and garments, capturing different phases in his career. Notably, they include the earliest known image of a man seated before a table of bread, accompanied by a short list of offerings and a series of inscriptions listing his many titles. These panels are considered among the finest surviving examples of ancient wooden relief art and provide a powerful testament to the craftsmanship and artistic sophistication of third-millennium court culture. The accompanying hieroglyphs offer invaluable insight into Hesyre’s roles, achievements, and enduring legacy in Egyptian society.
Roger Forshaw is an Honorary Lecturer in Biomedical Egyptology at the KNH Centre, the University of Manchester - and a former dental surgeon. He studied Egyptology at the University of Exeter before completing an MSc in Biomedical Egyptology and a PhD at the University of Manchester. His doctoral research focused on the role of lector in ancient Egyptian society, and his broader interdisciplinary work explores medical and dental practices in Pharaonic Egypt.
His publications include The Role of the Lector in Ancient Egyptian Society, Egypt of the Saite Pharaohs, and the 2024 volume Medicine and Healing Practices in Ancient Egypt, co-authored with Professor Rosalie David.
We have an exciting and diverse series of lectures
covering a wide range of topics and these are listed below
We are having two evening Zoom on-line meeting in April & Sept
𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 2025 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼
January 13th , 2pm
Dr Joanne Backhouse (University of Liverpool)
Nefetari, For whom the sun shines: Queenship in Ramesside Egypt
February 10th, 2pm
Dr Jacky Finch (University of Manchester : Alumni)
‘Are you sitting comfortably?’
Ancient Egyptian medical matters
March 10th, 2pm
Dr Kath Slinger (University of Manchester)
Tomb Families: Private Tomb Distribution in the New Kingdom Theban Necropolis
Wednesday April 2nd Zoom 7pm
Dr Heidi Köpp-Junk
(Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental
Studies)
Water, dewatering systems, wells, baths and waterspouts – latest excavation results
from Athribis and Tuna el Gebel.
May 12th, 2pm
Dr Roger Forshaw (University of Manchester)
The Life and Times of Hesyre, the First Recorded Physician and Dental Surgeon in History
June 9th, 2pm
Colin Reader (Independent Researcher)
Tutankhamun: The Extraterrestrial Connection
July 14th, 2pm
Sarah Shepherd (Independent Researcher)
Tourism and Travel in the Great War
August 11th, 2pm
Dr Judith Corbelli (University of Liverpool: Alumni)
Cremation in Alexandria: Cinerary Urns of the Greco-Roman Period
Monday Sept 1st Zoom 7pm
Dr Peter Lacovara
(Director of the Ancient Egyptian Archaeology and Heritage Fund)
Deir el-Ballas and the Hyksos Expulsion
October 13th, 2pm
Dr Paula Tutty (Independent Researcher)
The Discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices – Christianity’s Lost Legacy
November 10th , 2pm
Dr Campbell Price (University of Manchester)
Senenmut’s Unconventional Afterlife
December 8th, 2pm
Presidential lecture/AGM/Christmas buffet
Dr Ashley Cooke
BOOK SALES
At each Society meeting held in Mayer Hall a selection of Egyptology books is available for sale at very reasonable prices.