Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology

by Paul T. Nicholson, Ian Shaw

Overview

Aimed primarily at Egyptologists and archaeologists, this book covers all aspects of craftwork in ancient Egypt, from the construction of the pyramids and the carving of statues to techniques of mummification, boat-building, jewelery making, ancient brewing, carpentry, hairstyling, tailoring and basket weaving. Drawing on archaeological, experimental, ethnographic and laboratory work, it is the first book since the 1920s to describe current research into the actual basics of life in Pharaonic Egypt. The twenty-five chapters, by well-regarded scholars, present up-to-date and accessible information on a wide array of techniques.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521120982
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/01/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	728
Sales rank:	285,365
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 11.70(h) x 1.60(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Paul T. Nicholson and Ian Shaw; Part I. Inorganic Materials: 2. Stone Barbara Aston, James Harrell and Ian Shaw; 3. Soil Barry Kemp; 4. Painting materials Stephen Quirke and Lorna Lee; 5. Pottery Janine Bourriau, Pamela Rose and Paul Nicholson; 6. Metals Jacke Ogden; 7. Egyptian faience Paul Nicholson; 8. Glass Paul Nicholson and Julian Henderson; Part II. Organic Materials: 9. Papyrus Bridget Leach and John Tait; 10. Basketry Willeke Wendrich; 11. Textiles Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood; 12. Leatherwork and skin products Carol van Driel-Murray; 13. Ivory and related materials Robert Morkot and Olga Krzyszkowska; 14. Ostrich eggshells Jacke Phillips; 15. Wood Geoffrey Killen, Nigel Hepper, Peter Gasson and Rowena Gale; 16. Mummies and mummification A. Rosalie David; 17. Oil, fat and wax Margaret Serpico and Raymond White; 18. Resins, amber and bitumen Margaret Serpico; 19. Adhesives and binders Richard Newman, Margaret Serpico and Raymond White; 20. Hair Joann Fletcher; Part III. Food Technology: 21. Cereal production and processing Mary-Anne Murray; 22. Brewing and baking Delwyn Samuel; 23. Viticulture and wine production Mary-Anne Murray; 24. Fruit, vegetables, pulses and condiments Mary-Anne Murray; 25. Meat Processing Salima Ikram.

Editorial Reviews

"It is a much needed, well-illustrated, and engrossing update on the status of research on materials and technology, and with the added attraction of multidisciplinary colaboraton on key topics." International Journal of African Historical Studies

"...a splendid companion." Ancient History Bulletin

"The editors have enlisted the specialist knowledge of thirty-four scholars and the resulting volume is very impressive...drawings and pictures illustrate most chapters, good use being made of the rich visual documentation found in scenes of daily life in Egyptian tombs." Times Literary Supplement

"...Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology is very likely to be the standard reference tool on these subjects for the next several decades. It will be difficult to create a volume as comprehensive, clearly written, well documented and highly illustrated as Professors Nicholson and Shaw have prepared." Charles Kolb, The Reviewer

"This monumental encyclopedic volume sets new standards of excellence....An essential resource for reference collections and material culture specialists." Choice

"[a] new, long awaited book...Nicholson and Shaw have produced a very useful reference tool for those involved in research in the field of Egyptian materials and technologies...it presents a very useful summary of known facts and many of the scientific techniques that can be applied...it is readable and covers a wide enough area to be a useful reference." SAS Bulletin

"...this volume offers a new standard reference for scholars, students, and museum professionals alike." Religious Studies Review

"A much-needed, well illustrated, and engrossing update on the status of research on materials and technology, and with the added attraction of multidisciplinary collaboration on key approaches."

From the Publisher