Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1895-1899 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 box and 2 oversize boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
German Egyptologist and Demotist. Born, Hanover 1870. Died, Munich 1930. Educated at the Universities of Strasbourg, Berlin, and Paris, studying with J. Dümichen, A. Erman, and G. Maspero, respectively, 1888-92. Appointed Lecturer of Egyptology at Strasbourg University. He first concentrated on hieratic papyri especially the juristic texts, then on Coptic and Demotic studies, becoming one of the leading authorities in the field at that time. He published his acclaimed Coptic Dictionary, which was only superseded by W. E. Crum's work. Spiegelberg was a prolific author who wrote several hundred articles.
Archival history
- MSS 1 (Squeezes - Theban Tombs): Sent by Spiegelberg to Professor Francis LI. Griffith in 1926 to be considered for publication.
- MSS 2 (Squeezes - Dodecaschoenus): Given by W. Spiegelberg to Professor Francis Ll. Griffith for use in his Catalogue of the demotic graffiti of the Dodecaschoenus.
- MSS 3 (Diaries): Given by W. Spiegelberg to Professor W. F. Edgerton.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
- MSS 1-2 (Squeezes): No documentation, transferred from Griffith MSS.
- MSS 3 (Diaries): After Edgerton died, Professor George R. Hughes deposited them in the Griffith Institute in 1970.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
- MSS 1: Squeezes made in 1895-1896 of some scenes in Theban Tombs 11, 12, 20, 50, 157, and 163.
- MSS 2: Squeezes of some scenes and texts in the Island of Biga and Philae (Dodecaschoenus).
- MSS 3: Two diaries (with continuous pagination) compiled between 7 November 1898 and 9 February 1899 during the Marquis of Northampton's excavations at Thebes.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Kept as received.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions.
Conditions governing reproduction
- MSS 1-2: Copyright Griffith Institute, University of Oxford.
- MSS 3: Joint copyright Griffith Institute, University of Oxford, and Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (formerly Oriental Institute), University of Chicago.
Language of material
German
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The bindings of the diaries are in a fragile condition and need to be handled carefully.
Finding aids
Full catalogue.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
These are originals.
Existence and location of copies
There are xeroxes of the diaries in the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (formerly Oriental Institute), University of Chicago.
Related units of description
Other Archives:
- Spiegelberg MSS in the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (formerly Oriental Institute), University of Chicago.
Griffith Institute Archive:
- Folder with copies of mummy labels from the Collection Forrer, Strasbourg, made by Spiegelberg in 1893, within Möller MSS (box V).
Publication note
See under each series.