Inner debates: Anthropology or Egyptology

My BA and MA degrees have been in Egyptology and Ancient Egyptian Culture at Swansea University and Egypt has remained a subject of fascination and love for me. I have always wanted to be a working Egyptologist, although I am aware of how challenging this can be to achieve.

As in previous posts here, I have been considering looking towards other disciplines and topics, such as Anthropology and the study of NeoPagan religion. Certainly this very much interests me but I feel myself filled with doubt over whether or not I would be ultimately happy without earning a PhD in Egyptology. During my (sadly brief) study at Cardiff University I couldn't help but feel that I was in the wrong place; I felt like an Egyptologist trying to keep up with British Archaeologists (which I was!). Will I again feel out of place studying Anthropology? If I could have studied Predynastic Egypt for my PhD then I wouldn't even be considering another discipline.

Chris Naunton wrote an excellent article addressing the question of how should we define an Egyptologist? It is of his opinion that an Egyptologist is one who (accurately) contributes to the field of Egyptology - regardless of whether they have achieved a PhD in Egyptology itself or whether they are currently employed in an Egyptological position. Others will disagree and maintain a necessity for ancient Egyptian language skills, a doctorate and/or a paid position in the field.

Where will I rest in this if I decide to do a PhD in Anthropology? And why does it matter so much what I am called? Surely the title of my doctorate will not stop me from continuing my own research and contribution to the field? This is especially relevant when I consider that my future (paid) career will likely not be reliant upon the title of my PhD, and so my academic career is likely to be done independently anyway.

Alas, my heart keeps getting stuck on the matter, and so I will need more time to think carefully, read and accumulate funds!

The Contemporary worship and cult of Egyptian Goddesses...

The Contemporary worship and cult of Egyptian Goddesses by priest/esses* and devotees in the western world.
- Identity, gender, religious experience, historical reinterpretation, historical continuation.
*It is possible that I will focus primarily on female priestesses and devotees and their connection to the feminine divine.

Inter-disciplinary Approaches:
Gender    Anthropological    Ethnographic    Philosophical    Egyptological

Sources:
Interviews    Emic religious experiences    Dynastic Temple Relief     Dynastic Material Culture    Contemporary Material Culture    Contemporary Literature & Social Media

Specific Examples:
Fellowship of Isis    Omm sety    Kemetic Orthodox    Indiviual Contacts    Glastonbury Goddess Temple    Sekhmet Temple, Nevada


Help fund me?

https://www.gofundme.com/helpfundmyphd