Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology
Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology
$95.00
USDThis is a study of the procurement and processing of raw materials employed by the ancient Egyptians over the five millennia of the Predynastic and Pharaonic periods (c.5500–332 BC). During this time, not only were there variations in the preferred materials for particular types of artefacts, but also gradual processes of technological change, and the industries of the Chalcolithic period were complemented and sometimes superseded by the innovations of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Among the topics covered are stone quarrying, the building of temples and pyramids, techniques for preserving meat, fish, and poultry, glass and faience, the baking of bread, brewing of beers, preparation of oils and perfumes, and the mummification of humans and animals. Each chapter has been written by one or more specialists, drawing not only on conventional Egyptological skills but also on expertise in the natural sciences as applied to archaeological data.
- The first book since 1962 to present a comprehensive account of ancient Egyptian technology
- Reflects a new emphasis in Egyptology on the composition of materials, their provenance, and production techniques, and away from the traditional focus on linguistic and architectural questions
- Written by specialists, based in the UK, Europe and North America, either involved in recent field projects in Egypt or at the forefront of laboratory-based analysis of archaeological material
Reviews & endorsements
"It is a much needed, well-illustrated, and engrossing update on the status of research on materials and technology, and with the added attraction of multidisciplinary colaboraton on key topics." International Journal of African Historical Studies
"...a splendid companion." Ancient History Bulletin
"The editors have enlisted the specialist knowledge of thirty-four scholars and the resulting volume is very impressive...drawings and pictures illustrate most chapters, good use being made of the rich visual documentation found in scenes of daily life in Egyptian tombs." Times Literary Supplement
"...Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology is very likely to be the standard reference tool on these subjects for the next several decades. It will be difficult to create a volume as comprehensive, clearly written, well documented and highly illustrated as Professors Nicholson and Shaw have prepared." Charles Kolb, The Reviewer
"This monumental encyclopedic volume sets new standards of excellence....An essential resource for reference collections and material culture specialists." Choice
"[a] new, long awaited book...Nicholson and Shaw have produced a very useful reference tool for those involved in research in the field of Egyptian materials and technologies...it presents a very useful summary of known facts and many of the scientific techniques that can be applied...it is readable and covers a wide enough area to be a useful reference." SAS Bulletin
"...this volume offers a new standard reference for scholars, students, and museum professionals alike." Religious Studies Review
"A much-needed, well illustrated, and engrossing update on the status of research on materials and technology, and with the added attraction of multidisciplinary collaboration on key approaches."
Product details
October 2009Paperback
9780521120982
728 pages
297 × 210 × 37 mm
1.7kg
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction Paul T. Nicholson and Ian Shaw
- Part I. Inorganic Materials:
- 2. Stone Barbara Aston, James Harrell and Ian Shaw
- 3. Soil Barry Kemp
- 4. Painting materials Stephen Quirke and Lorna Lee
- 5. Pottery Janine Bourriau, Pamela Rose and Paul Nicholson
- 6. Metals Jacke Ogden
- 7. Egyptian faience Paul Nicholson
- 8. Glass Paul Nicholson and Julian Henderson
- Part II. Organic Materials:
- 9. Papyrus Bridget Leach and John Tait
- 10. Basketry Willeke Wendrich
- 11. Textiles Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood
- 12. Leatherwork and skin products Carol van Driel-Murray
- 13. Ivory and related materials Robert Morkot and Olga Krzyszkowska
- 14. Ostrich eggshells Jacke Phillips
- 15. Wood Geoffrey Killen, Nigel Hepper, Peter Gasson and Rowena Gale
- 16. Mummies and mummification A. Rosalie David
- 17. Oil, fat and wax Margaret Serpico and Raymond White
- 18. Resins, amber and bitumen Margaret Serpico
- 19. Adhesives and binders Richard Newman, Margaret Serpico and Raymond White
- 20. Hair Joann Fletcher
- Part III. Food Technology:
- 21. Cereal production and processing Mary-Anne Murray
- 22. Brewing and baking Delwyn Samuel
- 23. Viticulture and wine production Mary-Anne Murray
- 24. Fruit, vegetables, pulses and condiments Mary-Anne Murray
- 25. Meat Processing Salima Ikram.
