Answers from discussion posts
Reading 1.4, pp. 8 ff: Select three 19th-20th century individuals and identify their role in the development of Egyptology (2-3 sentences each)
Francois Auguste Ferdinand Mariette: Francois found an important tomb of the 5th-dynasty official, Ti. He also found a major underground gallery, Serapeum. He also founded the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the antiquities service.
Gaston Camille Charles Maspero: Gaston received the first doctorate in Egyptology in France. He copied the earliest known mortuary texts, called The Pyramid Text. He also organized and cataloged artifacts in the Cairo museum. He published over 1200 works.
William Matthew Flinders Petrie: William was an archaeologist, completing a detailed survey of the Giza pyramids. He worked for over 60 years and excavated more sites in Egypt than any other archaeologist. He trained and supervised Egyptian workers to do the same. There is also a museum named after him, titled the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in University College, London.
What is the significance of Petrie's invention of Sequence Dating? What does relative dating mean? How is Egyptian predynastic chronology divided into periods?
Petrie's invention of Sequence Dating was significant because it was the first invention of dating for chronological classification of objects and ceramics. Relative dating is a technique used to date objects relatively to one another based upon their style and the material they used, which is based upon what is known about specific time periods and the techniques they use within their ceramic. Egyptian predynastic chronology is divided into periods based upon sequence dating and shifts that are seen in the techniques used in ceramics. This is notably the Naquada 1, Narquada 2, and Naquada 3 periods.
What is the archaeological evidence for state formation in the Predynastic period? Is there evidence for kingship? Does the archaeological evidence sufficiently explain how the early state forms? You can support your discussion with specific archaeological examples, such as from Hierakonpolis.
The evidence for state formation in the Predynastic period is currently based upon what has been found in pottery and tombs during excavation. These objects and sites show that there were elite burials, suggesting that there were individuals of signficance and wealth within these socieites. There is not much evidence to support the idea of kingship, the site of Tomb 23 may provide some as it was quite an extravagent, elite burial. We do not believe that the current evidence provides sufficient evidence for how the early state forms, and that further analysis needs to be conducted for further understanding. This is because the tombs found do not provide enough evidence, and the tombs that have not been found yet are the examples that may be needed for a more substantial understanding.
Use this forum to discuss kingship in the EDP. Note information from archaeology and imagery.
I feel as though Kingship was considered to have been fairly important in the Early Dynastic Period based upon the analysis that has been conducted of tombs, pottery, and palettes from the time, which seem to all commemorate and honor the different rulers during this era and show their significance and power in the culture. On the Palette of Narmer, King Narmer is depicted in the mace-pose, depicting his control of both chaos and order which is common in Egyptian archaeology imagery. He is also accompanied by imagery depicting the god Horus, showing his status as elite. The Narmer Macehead depicts imagery showing cattle and human captives in front of the steps to the grand throne of Narmer, showing his power and status over those he rule. In tombs, Kings were often buried with many goods that symbolized their elite status, including pottery and alcohol bottles. Subsidiary burials near these tombs also show evidence of the ruler's importance, as they may have contained fellow elites or human sacrifices.
How important was the ideological role of the king in Old Kingdom State? Does this explain the highly centralized economic control of the state in the early Old Kingdom?
The ideological role of the king in the Old Kingdom State was very important, as the ruler and their actions in the state greatly influenced the social structures and politics of the area. During this time, kings were likened to the status of gods, often associated with specific Egyptian gods such as Ra or Horus. This divine status made the king be entrusted with control of all goods, work, trade, and people within their region of rule, and with the care of keeping the area in a state of order and the agriculture prosperous, which primarily contributed to the highly centralized economic control of the state.
How does the Step Pyramid complex differ in design from the later pyramids of the 4th Dynasty? What is the evidence for transition to a true pyramid, and why did this occur?
The Step Pyramid complex was very different in its design from the later pyramids of the 4th Dynasty. The rectangular, stepped shapes of these structures changed in the 4th Dynasty as more theological importance was placed on the sun god Ra in their culture. This resulted in pyramids changing to become smooth-sided. The funerary enclosures also changed with these beliefs, as they were no longer large and walled in the symbolism of the royal palace and for the royal rituals. The 4th Dynasty pyramids also became much larger, showing the architectural evolution of the time.
How was the Great Pyramid at Giza constructed and how was the work organized? Discuss the evidence for where the workers, artisans, and overseers live. What does this evidence demonstrate about Egypt's highly stratified society and state-controlled projects? How was the mortuary cult of kings provided for in perpetuity?
To construct the Great Pyramid at Giza, the land was first surveyed to find that the sides would be even. This was done by marking the cardinal points based upon the setting and rising of a star. The square was then surveyed and mapped out. Then, they created a limestone base foundation in the surveyed square and levelled it. Large limestone blocks quarried locally were used to construct the core of the pyramid, then huge granite blocks were used to create the interior chambers brought from quarries in Aswan. Stone blocks were dragged from another quarry, and used to create the ramp that wrapped around the pyramid. Tura limestone was used to create the outer layer of the pyramid, which were angled and smoothed to create the iconic slopes. Lehner theorized that there were two work crews made up each of about 2000 workers to quarry, haul, and set the stones. Remains of mud brick buildings provides evidence for domestic activities and livelihood around the pyramids, along with cattle bones which provide evidence that these small towns had food sources readily available. Botanical remains like charcoal, clover, and cereal straw found also show evidence that these animals were cared for in the area. This evidence shows the highly stratified and booming society of Egypt during this time that was connected to state-controlled projects like the building of the pyramids. Fattened cattle was taken to Mephesis to give to the mortuary cult of kings, which provided fuel, grains, and abundant resources in perpetuity.