Gifted student Gemma Smith has achieved high honours today for offering new insights into the wonders of ancient Egypt.
Twenty seven year old Gemma was awarded a First Class Honours Degree in Egyptology from Swansea University’s College of Arts and Humanities at a ceremony in Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall.
Gemma was accompanied by her proud mother Christine, sister Michaela, fiancé Mike and friend Laura, who also saw her being awarded with the Gwladys Thyer-Jones Memorial Prize for the best female Arts and Humanities graduate.
Gemma, who is from Norfolk, has consistently excelled in all aspects of her course including Egyptian language, ancient Egyptian material culture and religion.
For her final dissertation Gemma obtained permission on her own initiative from the British Museum, to examine an unpublished stela. Stelae are stone slabs used in the ancient world mainly as grave markers but also for dedication, commemoration and demarcation.
Her tutor, Dr Martina Minas-Nerpel said: “She offered an astute translation and analysis of the hieroglyphic inscriptions and relief scenes as well as giving a penetrating critique of well-established dating criteria for similar stelae. Her BA dissertation could have easily passed with distinction as an MA thesis and could be publishable in a peer reviewed academic journal.”
Gemma said: “I have been fascinated by ancient Egypt since I was a child and chose to study at Swansea because of the great resources at the Egypt Centre. However, the best thing about studying at Swansea is that I have had such great support and encouragement from my tutors.”
Gemma now plans to stay on at Swansea to pursue an MA in Ancient Egyptian Culture.
For more on Swansea Summer Degree and Award Congregations 2012 (Monday, July 16 – Friday, July 20) and details of this year’s Honorary Awards and Distinguished Teaching Awards, visit www.swansea.ac.uk/graduation/
