STARS OF EGYPTOLOGY
Stephen Cross is our Christmas star of 2020. A member of the Fleet Air Arm of the British Royal Navy, he is a trained geologist. Known for his academic articles, Stephen has made several significant appearances on television where he has revealed aspects of the Valley of the Kings for the first time to worldwide audiences. So let’s begin!
How did you become interested in ancient Egypt?
I remember it like yesterday. I was 8 years old and was watching a black and white documentary about the Valley of the Kings with my father. (He was also interested in ancient Egypt.) Afterwards, I asked him about the Valley. Something in the way he answered – his intonation – inspired me. I went to the library and read every book I could find on ancient Egypt. And have continued ever since.
Do you specialise in any particular area?
My specialisation is the Valley of the Kings and the village of Deir el-Medina. The workmen who made the tombs are often more interesting than the kings they worked for. I have also been studying certain aspects of pyramids. Almost everything written about pyramids is wrong in my book.
What is your education/work background?
My degree was in geology. But I only worked as a geologist for 3 months. Assessing gravels off the ships in Liverpool Docks, is a dirty and dusty job! But I was accepted into the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. I had already passed the aircrew aptitude tests. It was a difficult decision, assessing gravels or flying in the Fleet Air Arm! I only really used geology when I came to study the Valley in detail.
With which Egyptology groups are you affiliated with?
I am a member of the EES of course. But I have travelled the country giving talks on the Valley to many Egyptological Societies. I cannot say if I have a favourite one! I am also a member of the Liverpool Geologist Society and the Merseyside Archaeolgical Society.
You have an interest in the builders of the Egyptian king’s tombs. Could you explain a bit about your writing on this subject?
Yes, as I mentioned above, the workmen and their families are often more interesting than the kings they worked for. Because Deir el-Medina was a literate society, we know a lot more about them than any other ancient village. The actual workmen’s huts in the Valley itself are also a vital clue to understanding their working practices and led to my second paper in JEA.
I understand you took one of the first photos of KV64. Could you explain a bit about that?
I seem to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time! I was in the Valley when Otto Schaden discovered KV63 and my photos were the first published, with his permission. I was also in the Valley, walking the mountain, studying for the article Un-natural features of the VOKs when KV64 was discovered. I waited until after the official announcement was made before I made the photos available, of course.
What project(s) are you working on at the moment?
I am writing a paper The Rate of cutting Royal Tombs in the VOKs. It is taking me far too long to finish! A second paper, The Flooding History of KV11, is almost finished and will be off to JEA in the near future, fingers crossed.
Also, the MoA asked if I could fix a fracture in the cliff near KV34. The cliff section if full of 19th Dynasty graffiti and they want it preserved. A site survey was completed in 2018 and we have come up with a safe way to fix and stabilise the cliff section. But we are delayed by the virus at the moment.
Thank you, Steve. Let’s hope you can get back to work soon! Read some of his publications at: https://independent.academia.edu/StephenCross.
Below, Stephen Cross appears with Joann Fletcher as they walk through the Valley of the Kings together. (Featured image of Stephen Cross, copyright Dr Christopher Naunton.)
Some of you, like me, probably first saw Stephen Cross in a film which was released as ”Tutankhamen:The Mystery of the Burnt Mummy” for Channel 4 in Engand. It was also released as ”Ultimate Tut”. Enjoy!
April 11, 2021 – It is with great sadness we farewell Stephen Cross. Our condolences go out to his family. Shortly after this interview, which was apparently his last, Mr Cross fell ill. When he came out of hospital he asked whether we wanted more pictures and details. Not wishing to further impose we declined. While in some way I regret not having a more detailed interview, ”Stars of Egyptology” did the right thing. Mr Cross’ contribution to Egyptology was as significant as it was underestimated. He was also a humble person whom everyone liked and will be greatly missed. For more on Stephen Cross, please go to Chris Naunton’s moving tribute at: https://chrisnaunton.com/2021/04/09/steve-cross-a-tribute-to-a-fine-egyptologist/.
