Subsistence Strategies and Craft Production at the Ancient Egyptian Ramesside Fort of Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham

This book provides a detailed account of daily life at Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, a liminal military site in Ramesside Egypt, based on over 20 years of archaeological study. It reveals evidence of living arrangements, minor industries, food production, and craft production strategies, shedding light on the relationship between Egyptians and Libyans at the close of the Late Bronze Age.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Drawing on over two decades of archaeological exploration and investigation at Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, led by Professor Steven Snape of the University of Liverpool, this book offers a nuanced portrayal of daily life not only at this transitional military site but also in Ramesside Egypt as a whole. Built during the reign of Ramesses II, the fortified settlement situated 300 kilometers west of Alexandria represents the farthest western outpost of the Egyptian New Kingdom empire. Extensive excavations in Area K of the fortress have unearthed a wealth of evidence revealing the living arrangements, minor industries, food production, and daily routines of the fort's inhabitants. This previously unpublished material serves as the foundation of this volume, which delves into the analysis of the diverse subsistence and craft production strategies that coexisted in this region, encompassing activities such as baking, brewing, butchery, lithics working, bone carving, and weaving. These traces of the activities of soldiers and their families provide a fresh perspective on life at this military installation and for ordinary Egyptians more broadly, shifting away from the exclusive focus on elite social groups.

The archaeological evidence presented in this book prompts a re-examination of the realities of the relationship between Egyptians and Libyans towards the close of the Late Bronze Age. While the primary purpose of the fortress's construction was defensive, the surviving material suggests collaborative farming and trading, offering a direct contrast to the more belligerent contemporary royal monumental inscriptions that depict Egypto-Libyan relations.

Through its comprehensive exploration, this book sheds light on the multifaceted nature of life in Ramesside Egypt, providing a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of this period. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts alike, contributing to our knowledge of ancient Egypt and its interactions with neighboring regions.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350327368