Perspectives on Lived Religion II: The Making of a Cultural Geography

Ancient Egyptian elites invested cultural and economic efforts in preparing for their afterlives, with diverse choices including tomb size, location, and architectural design. Sites were visited by the living to commemorate and rejuvenate human ancestors and gods, and older monuments and stories remained accessible. Perspective on Lived Religion II presents the results of a conference held in Cairo, examining examples of human agency at various sites in ancient Egypt.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Sidestone Press

Ancient Egyptian elites invested immense cultural and economic efforts in preparing for their afterlives, but the diversity of choices open to them is often overlooked. These choices included tomb size, tomb location, and architectural design, as well as tomb decoration and the selection of certain grave gifts. Their choices depended on financial means, but also on contemporary fashion, among other factors. Ancient sites were visited by the living to commemorate and rejuvenate human ancestors and the gods, as individual acts or as part of large-scale processions. They also visited cemeteries because of new building activities or to visit already-ancient monuments. The daily interactions of the living with their ancestors and gods are traceable in the evidence of lived religious practices, the transmission of texts and images, and the processes which shaped the landscape. Older monuments and stories remained accessible, and the ongoing use of the site created a palimpsest landscape, showing the results of millennia of human activity. These results of past activities could hold special significance for later generations, but new meanings often supplanted older interpretations. Building on the success of Perspectives on Lived Religion, Perspective on Lived Religion II presents the results of a conference held in Cairo, September 29th – October 1st 2019, and kindly funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) Vidi Talent Scheme, as part of the Leiden University research project "The Walking Dead at Saqqara: The Making of a Cultural Geography". The papers presented here are written by both well-established and more recent Egyptologists, and examine examples of human agency at various sites in ancient Egypt, such as Saqqara, Thebes, Abydos, and Pi-Ramesse. These case studies examine the ways in which individuals and communities interacted with the divine and the dead, and how these interactions shaped the religious landscape of ancient Egypt. The papers cover a wide range of topics, including the construction of tombs and temples, the performance of rituals and ceremonies, the use of magic and divination, and the transmission of religious knowledge and beliefs. One of the key themes of the conference was the role of women in ancient Egyptian religion. Women played a significant role in the religious life of ancient Egypt, and their roles and responsibilities varied depending on their social status and location. Women were involved in the construction of tombs and temples, the performance of rituals and ceremonies, and the transmission of religious knowledge and beliefs. They were also involved in the production of religious texts and images, and in the management of religious institutions. The conference also highlighted the importance of the relationship between the living and the dead in ancient Egyptian religion. The living were believed to have a close relationship with their ancestors and the gods, and this relationship was maintained through a variety of practices, including offerings, prayers, and rituals. The dead were also believed to have a powerful influence on the living, and this influence was used to guide and protect the living. The conference also examined the impact of foreign influences on ancient Egyptian religion. Foreign influences included the arrival of new religions, the influence of foreign rulers, and the exchange of goods and ideas. These influences had a significant impact on the religious landscape of ancient Egypt, and they led to the development of new religious practices and beliefs. The papers presented at the conference also highlighted the importance of the archaeological record in understanding ancient Egyptian religion. The archaeological record provides us with a wealth of information about the religious practices and beliefs of ancient Egyptians, and it allows us to reconstruct the religious landscape of ancient Egypt. However, the archaeological record is not without its challenges, and it is important to approach it with a critical eye. One of the challenges of the archaeological record is the fact that it is often fragmentary and incomplete. This means that we may not have a complete understanding of the religious practices and beliefs of ancient Egyptians, and we may need to rely on other sources of information, such as texts and images. Another challenge of the archaeological record is the fact that it is often influenced by contemporary beliefs and practices. This means that we may not be able to accurately interpret the religious practices and beliefs of ancient Egyptians, and we may need to rely on other sources of information to help us understand them. Despite these challenges, the archaeological record is a valuable tool for understanding ancient Egyptian religion. It provides us with a wealth of information about the religious practices and beliefs of ancient Egyptians, and it allows us to reconstruct the religious landscape of ancient Egypt. The papers presented at the conference also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding ancient Egyptian religion. Interdisciplinary research involves the collaboration of experts from different fields, such as archaeology, history, and anthropology, and it allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the religious practices and beliefs of ancient Egyptians. The conference also highlighted the importance of public engagement in understanding ancient Egyptian religion. Public engagement involves the sharing of information about ancient Egyptian religion with the public, and it allows us to promote a greater understanding of the religion and its impact on our world. In conclusion, ancient Egyptian elites invested immense cultural and economic efforts in preparing for their afterlives, and the diversity of choices open to them is often overlooked. The papers presented at the conference examined examples of human agency at various sites in ancient Egypt, and they highlighted the importance of women in ancient Egyptian religion, the relationship between the living and the dead, the impact of foreign influences on ancient Egyptian religion, and the importance of the archaeological record in understanding ancient Egyptian religion. The conference also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research and public engagement in understanding ancient Egyptian religion, and it provided a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas and the development of new research.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 278 x 209 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789464261196