Imagined and experienced : changing perceptions of the Fayum landscape
This thesis explores perceptions of the landscape of the Fayum in Egypt. The Fayum has been the focus of Egyptological interest regarding specific aspects of its landscape since the 18th century. The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of why some aspects of this particular landscape have become the focus of attention for Egyptologists and travellers to Egypt. In order to investigate this issue a very broad historical perspective is taken, examining written materials dating from the Pharaonic periods through to the 19th century AD:- Western Accounts 1543 - 1876, Medieval Islamic Accounts 860 - 1422, Greek and Roman writers 450 BC - 2nd century AD and Ancient Egyptian materials (2686 BC - AD394). Theories from geography and landscape history as well as landscape archaeology, not regularly applied in Egyptology, will be adopted. Based on this material and approach, it is possible to map the changing perceptions of this region, identifying a history of ideas and elucidating the background that created specific perceptions of this region at different time periods. This thesis will evaluate the ways in which people view a particular area of land which, in their mind, is a clearly defined unit. It is not
Malleson, Claire Joanna
Imagined and experienced : changing perceptions of the Fayum landscape. This thesis explores perceptions of the landscape of the Fayum in Egypt. The Fayum has been the focus of Egyptological interest regarding specific aspects of its landscape since the 18th century. The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of why some aspects of this particular landscape have become the focus of attention for Egyptologists and travellers to Egypt. In order to investigate this issue a very broad historical perspective is taken, examining written materials dating from the Pharaonic periods through to the 19th century AD:- Western Accounts 1543 - 1876, Medieval Islamic Accounts 860 - 1422, Greek and Roman writers 450 BC - 2nd century AD and Ancient Egyptian materials (2686 BC - AD394). Theories from geography and landscape history as well as landscape archaeology, not regularly applied in Egyptology, will be adopted. Based on this material and approach, it is possible to map the changing perceptions of this region, identifying a history of ideas and elucidating the background that created specific perceptions of this region at different time periods. This thesis will evaluate the ways in which people view a particular area of land which, in their mind, is a clearly defined unit. It is not
imagined experienced change perception landscape explores perception landscape egypt focus egyptological interest regard specific aspect landscape since aim_study gain aspect particular landscape become focus_attention egyptologists traveller egypt order_investigate issue broad_historical perspective take examine write material_date western accounts medieval islamic accounts greek_roman writers century ancient egyptian materials theories geography landscape_history well landscape_archaeology regularly apply egyptology adopt based material possible map change perception region identify history_idea elucidate background create specific perception region different time_period evaluate way_people view particular area land mind clearly_define unit