Renowned Archaeologist to Discuss Amarna Age Discoveries at Emory

Eric Cline's lecture will explore diplomatic letters from Canaanite rulers found in a 14th century BCE Egyptian royal archive.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 11:00pm

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Renowned archaeologist Eric Cline will deliver a lecture at Emory University on March 19, 2026, exploring the cache of cuneiform tablets discovered at Tell El-Amarna, the capital of the heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten. The tablets, dating to the 14th century BCE, include diplomatic correspondence between Egyptian pharaohs and rulers of Canaan, Hittites, Babylonians, and Assyrians, offering a rare glimpse into the political maneuverings and royal relationships of the Late Bronze Age.

Why it matters

The Amarna letters provide invaluable insights into the complex geopolitics and cultural exchanges of the ancient Near East, a pivotal period in the development of civilizations. Cline's lecture will shed light on this important archaeological discovery and its significance for understanding the ancient world.

The details

The Amarna letters, a cache of nearly 400 cuneiform tablets discovered in 1887, include correspondence between Egyptian pharaohs and their counterparts in Canaan, Hittite, Babylonian, and Assyrian kingdoms. Among the letters are missives from vassal kings in Canaan, such as Baraiya of Megiddo, Abdi-Heba of Jerusalem, and Rib-Hada of Byblos, offering a rare window into the political maneuverings and diplomatic relationships of the Late Bronze Age.

  • The Amarna letters were discovered in 1887 at the site of Tell El-Amarna, the capital city of the heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten.
  • The letters date back to the 14th century BCE, during the Amarna Age of ancient Egypt.

The players

Eric Cline

A renowned archaeologist and professor at George Washington University, Cline is an expert on the ancient Near East and the author of several books on the Amarna letters and the Late Bronze Age.

Akhenaten

The heretic Pharaoh of ancient Egypt, who ruled during the 14th century BCE and established his capital at Tell El-Amarna, where the Amarna letters were discovered.

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What’s next

The lecture is open to the public, and attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Cline in a Q&A session following the presentation.

The takeaway

The Amarna letters provide a rare and invaluable glimpse into the complex political and diplomatic relationships of the ancient Near East, offering scholars and the public alike a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in the development of civilizations.