Egyptian watercraft models from the Predynastic to Third Intermediate Periods
The reliance of a society on watercraft is nowhere more apparent that in ancient Egypt, where the Nile River provided the means for all but the most local transport. It is not surprising that ancient Egyptians would incorporate watercraft, an important object from their everyday lives, into their funerary furniture for use in the next world. The primary goal of this study is the reclassification of Egyptian watercraft models from the standard 1898 George Reisner typology in order to demonstrate that these artifacts graphically represent the evolution of nautical technology through the recognition of major and minor construction attributes. Other secondary objectives include the recognition of site specific or regional patterns in watercraft design that may reflect the social conditions of a geographic area based upon hull forms, quality, color, iconography, and the equipment on-board. Further, certain artifacts shed light on the social structure of Egyptian life including the hierarchy of workers and the represented status of boat men, servants, the military, clerics, and nobility that are depicted on-board. Other identified factors can affect model outcome including the talent of the model builder, raw material
Merriman, Ann Marie
Egyptian watercraft models from the Predynastic to Third Intermediate Periods. The reliance of a society on watercraft is nowhere more apparent that in ancient Egypt, where the Nile River provided the means for all but the most local transport. It is not surprising that ancient Egyptians would incorporate watercraft, an important object from their everyday lives, into their funerary furniture for use in the next world. The primary goal of this study is the reclassification of Egyptian watercraft models from the standard 1898 George Reisner typology in order to demonstrate that these artifacts graphically represent the evolution of nautical technology through the recognition of major and minor construction attributes. Other secondary objectives include the recognition of site specific or regional patterns in watercraft design that may reflect the social conditions of a geographic area based upon hull forms, quality, color, iconography, and the equipment on-board. Further, certain artifacts shed light on the social structure of Egyptian life including the hierarchy of workers and the represented status of boat men, servants, the military, clerics, and nobility that are depicted on-board. Other identified factors can affect model outcome including the talent of the model builder, raw material
egyptian watercraft model third intermediate periods reliance society watercraft nowhere apparent ancient_egypt nile river provide mean local transport surprising ancient_egyptians would incorporate watercraft important object everyday live funerary furniture use next world primary_goal study egyptian watercraft model standard george typology order artifact graphically represent evolution nautical technology recognition major_minor construction attribute secondary objective include recognition site_specific regional_pattern watercraft design may reflect social_condition geographic_area base_upon hull form quality iconography equipment board certain artifact shed_light social_structure egyptian life include hierarchy worker represent status boat men servant military cleric nobility depict board identified factor_affect model outcome include talent model builder raw_material