Egyptian Archaeology

Written by some of the world’s leading experts, Egyptian Archaeology employs a uniquely archaeological approach to explore ancient Egypt. Drawing on original research and excavations to both synthesize and challenge existing scholarship, this book dispels traditional notions of Egyptian culture as monolithic. Each author explicates current understandings of the cultural and historical processes of ancient Egypt, illustrating that practical research is a vital and fascinating component of any theory–based discussion about the ancient world. By examining fundamental issues and important temporal, regional, and social developments through a global lens, Egyptian Archaeology brings existing debates vigorously up–to–date, while challenging students to think about their own interpretations, expectations, and attitudes towards ancient and modern Egypt. Engaging and progressive, this fully illustrated volume provides an insightful investigation into the world of ancient Egyptian archaeology and culture.

List of Tables and Figures. Notes on Contributors. Series Editors′ Preface. 1 Egyptian Archaeology: From Text to Context (Willeke Wendrich, University of California, Los Angeles). 2 Worship Without Writing (Stan Hendrickx, Dirk Huyge and Willeke Wendrich, Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg; Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels; University of California, Los Angeles). 3 Theories of State Formation (E. Christiana Köhler, Macquarie University). 4 Kingship and Legitimation (Janet Richards, University of Michigan). 5 Villages and the Old Kingdom (Mark Lehner, University of Chicago, Harvard University). 6 Regionality, Cultural and Cultic Landscapes (David Jeffreys, University College London). 7 Tradition and Innovation: the Middle Kingdom (Josef Wegner, University of Pennsylvania, Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology). 8 Foreigners in Egypt: Archaeological evidence and cultural context (Thomas Schneider, University of British Columbia, Vancouver). 9 Gender in Ancient Egypt (T.G. Wilfong, University of Michigan). 10 Class and Society: Position and Possessions (Wolfram Grajetzki, UCL, London). 11 Identity and Personhood (Willeke Wendrich, University of California, Los Angeles). 12 Changes in the Afterlife (John H. Taylor, The British Museum, London). 13 Consolidation, Innovation and Renaissance (Penelope Wilson, Durham University). 14 Egypt in the Memory of the World (Fekri Hassan, University College London). 15 Epilogue: Eternal Egypt Deconstructed (Willeke Wendrich, University of California, Los Angeles). Index.

Willeke Wendrich is Associate Professor of Egyptian Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is the author of a range of books, reports and articles, including: Who is Afraid of Basketry (1992), The World According to Basketry (1999), Berenike Reports (from 1995–2007, co–edited with Steven Sidebotham) and The Archaeology of Mobility (2007, co–editor with Hans Barnard) and editor–in–chief of the online UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology (2008).

“Willeke Wendrich’s edited volume, Egyptian archaeology, is perhaps the most ambitious of the three on offer here in terms of its scope and I would strongly recommend  it.”  ( Antiquity , 1 January 2013) "Recommended. All academic levels/libraries." (Choice , 1 April 2011)