In Belgium, Egyptology emerged later than elsewhere in Europe, but once under steam, it
went through a rapid growth in the course of the first half of the 20th century. In the 1930s
Brussels was occasionally even referred to as ‘the capital of Egyptology'. Pyramids and
Progress investigates how this remarkable development unfolded within the context of
Belgian industrial and political expansionism towards Egypt, a process that started in the 19th
century, almost from the very moment that the Belgian state was created in 1830. At that
time, Belgium in all regards aspired to become a player on a global scale. This aspiration not
only concerned Congo, which was to become a genuine colony, but areas around the globe.
Egypt, with its strategic location in Africa and its fascinating ancient monuments, played a key
role. But what motivated this Belgian interest in Egypt? How did Belgian royalty, politicians,
diplomats, industrialists, and intellectuals operate within the expansionist doctrine? And how
did the scientific discipline of Egyptology develop in Belgium within this expansionist
framework? The personal, institutional, and commercial networks of the different players are
investigated, and the question is asked how this led to a climate in which famous Egyptologists
like Jean Capart proved able to give their discipline the prominent position it finally acquired
in Belgium.