Weinberg Lecture of Egyptology—For the Love of Sekhmet: Maggie Benson and Nettie Gourlay in the Temple of Mut

Dr. Kathleen Sheppard of Missouri University of Science and technology tells the story of Margaret Benson, known to her friends as Maggie, who took a donkey ride to the Temple of Mut in Karnak, near the village of Luxor, Egypt, in 1894. There, she saw the heads of “cat statues,” as she called them, peeking up out of the dirt. She was in love. She wanted to excavate these heads and learn more about the goddess they represented.

The next year, Maggie began excavating at the Temple of Mut. She was the first woman to be granted official permission to excavate in Egypt, making it a truly groundbreaking season. In 1896, returning for a second season, Maggie met Janet Gourlay, called Nettie, and fell in love again. Nettie had fallen in love, too, and wanted to stay in Egypt. She had archaeological training and helped Maggie on site for the next two years. Together, they published the site in a best-selling report, “The Temple of Mut in Asher” (1899).

Image: Egyptian, Bust of the Goddess Sekhmet, possibly from the Temple of Amenhotep III at Kom el Heitan or Temple of Mut at Karnak, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III, circa 139052 BCE, granite, H. 23 × W. 15 1/2 × D. 14 in., Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hanes