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: Hardback
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, with a wide range of choices available to them. These choices included tomb size, location, architectural design, tomb decoration, and the selection of certain grave gifts. Financial means, contemporary fashion, and other factors influenced these choices. Ancient sites were visited by the living to commemorate and rejuvenate human ancestors and the gods, as well as to visit cemeteries due to 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 their environment, and the ways in which they shaped their own identities and the landscape around them.

One of the key themes of the conference was the role of the living in shaping the landscape of ancient Egypt. The living were involved in a wide range of activities that affected the landscape, from farming and construction to religious practices and burial rituals. These activities left behind a rich archaeological record that can be used to understand the history and culture of ancient Egypt.

One of the most significant examples of the living's impact on the landscape is the construction of tombs. Tombs were not just places for the dead to rest, but also served as a means of expressing the wealth and power of the deceased. Tombs were often decorated with elaborate sculptures, paintings, and inscriptions, and were designed to reflect the beliefs and values of the deceased. The size and location of tombs were also important factors, with larger and more elaborate tombs being reserved for the wealthy and powerful.

Another important aspect of the living's impact on the landscape was the practice of burial rituals. Burial rituals were complex and varied, and included a wide range of activities such as embalming, mummification, and burial. These rituals were designed to ensure the safe passage of the deceased into the afterlife and to protect them from harm. The location of burial sites was also important, with tombs often being located in sacred or important locations.

In addition to the construction of tombs and the practice of burial rituals, the living also had a significant impact on the landscape through their daily activities. The living were involved in farming, construction, and other activities that required the use of the land. These activities left behind a rich archaeological record that can be used to understand the history and culture of ancient Egypt.

One of the most significant examples of the living's impact on the landscape through their daily activities is the construction of irrigation systems. Irrigation systems were essential for the growth of crops in ancient Egypt, and were designed to transport water from the Nile River to the fields. These systems were often complex and required a significant amount of labor to maintain. The construction of irrigation systems also had a significant impact on the landscape, as they required the clearing of land and the construction of canals and dams.

Another important aspect of the living's impact on the landscape through their daily activities is the construction of roads. Roads were essential for the movement of goods and people in ancient Egypt, and were designed to connect different parts of the country. The construction of roads also had a significant impact on the landscape, as they required the clearing of land and the construction of bridges and tunnels.

In addition to the construction of tombs, burial rituals, and irrigation systems, the living also had a significant impact on the landscape through their religious practices. Religious practices were an important part of ancient Egyptian culture, and were designed to connect the living with the gods and the afterlife. Religious practices included rituals such as prayer, sacrifice, and temple worship.

One of the most significant examples of the living's impact on the landscape through their religious practices is the construction of temples. Temples were designed to be the homes of the gods and were often decorated with elaborate sculptures, paintings, and inscriptions. The construction of temples also had a significant impact on the landscape, as they required the clearing of land and the construction of large structures.

In addition to the construction of tombs, burial rituals, irrigation systems, roads, and religious practices, the living also had a significant impact on the landscape through their interactions with other cultures. Ancient Egypt was a hub of trade and commerce, and the living were involved in a wide range of activities that required them to interact with other cultures. These interactions included trade, diplomacy, and warfare.

One of the most significant examples of the living's impact on the landscape through their interactions with other cultures is the construction of trade routes. Trade routes were essential for the movement of goods and people in ancient Egypt, and were designed to connect different parts of the country. The construction of trade routes also had a significant impact on the landscape, as they required the clearing of land and the construction of bridges and tunnels.

In addition to the construction of trade routes, the living also had a significant impact on the landscape through their interactions with other cultures through diplomacy and warfare. Diplomacy was used to establish trade agreements and to resolve conflicts, while warfare was used to protect the interests of the Egyptian state.

In conclusion, ancient Egyptian elites invested immense cultural and economic efforts in preparing for their afterlives, with a wide range of choices available to them. These choices included tomb size, location, architectural design, tomb decoration, and the selection of certain grave gifts. Financial means, contemporary fashion, and other factors influenced these choices. Ancient sites were visited by the living to commemorate and rejuvenate human ancestors and the gods, as well as to visit cemeteries due to 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.

Dimension: 280 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789464261202