The Archaeology of Pharaonic Egypt: Society and Culture, 2700–1700 BC (Cambridge World Archaeology)

In this book, Richard Bussmann presents a fresh overview of ancient Egyptian society and culture in the age of the pyramids. He addresses key themes in the comparative research of early complex societies, including urbanism, funerary culture, temple ritual, kingship, and the state, and explores how ideas and practices were exchanged between ruling elites and local communities in provincial Egypt. Unlike other studies of ancient Egypt, this book adopts an anthropological approach that places people at the centre of the analysis. Bussmann covers a range of important themes in cross-cultural debates, such as materiality, gender, non-elite culture, and the body. He also offers new perspectives on social diversity and cultural cohesion, based on recent discoveries. His study vividly illustrates how our understanding of ancient Egyptian society benefits from the application of theoretical concepts in archaeology and anthropology to the interpretation of the evidence. Cover Half-title page Series page Title page Copyright page Contents Preface Chronology of Egypt List of Abbreviations Part I Orientation Chapter 1 Studying the Pyramid Age Chapter 2 Historical Outline Part II Living Together Chapter 3 People in Landscapes Chapter 4 Life in Settlements Chapter 5 Urban Growth Chapter 6 Egypt in the Wider World Part III Ritual and Discourse Chapter 7 Funerary Culture Chapter 8 Temple Ritual Chapter 9 Kingship Sacred and Social Part IV Organising People Chapter 10 Scaling the State Chapter 11 Archaeology beyond Elites Chapter 12 Civilisation at Grass-Roots Level Bibliography Index This book presents a fresh overview of ancient Egyptian society and culture in the age of the pyramids. It addresses key themes in the comparative research of early complex societies, including urbanism, funerary culture, temple ritual, kingship, the state, and cultural cohesion.