Egypt in the Roman and Late Antique World

Following a short section summarizing the interpretative contributions of the book as a whole, this chapter takes a wider perspective, drawing on the material studied in the preceding chapters to first compare Egypt to the wider Roman world, and, second, examine the transition from the Roman to late antique period and beyond in Egypt. First, the overall contribution of the book is emphasized: a new interpretation which takes a social archaeology approach to everyday life. The point is also made that the work is grounded in a careful re-evaluation of object dating, and informed by neglected archive information. In addition to providing a secure foundation for the book, this fundamental research provides an important resource for future studies. Next, evidence for both similarities and differences to wider Roman culture is presented, and the multiple ways in which Roman-style material culture may have functioned within the social context of Egypt are examined. Finally, the relationship between the objects studied and wider social changes is investigated; the transition from the Roman to the late antique period, and beyond. This includes a consideration of the impact of Christianity, and wider evidence, through dress objects, of shared culture across the Byzantine Christian world, as well as evidence of economic change at the end of the Byzantine period in Egypt. Some aspects of continuity and change into the early Islamic period, as reflected through the material studied, are also briefly considered.

A Social Archaeology of Roman and Late Antique Egypt

The first in-depth study of the society and culture of Roman and late antique Egypt that uses everyday artefacts as its principal source of evidence, this book transforms our understanding of many aspects of its society and culture. It represents a fundamental reference work for scholars, with much new and essential information on a wide range of artefacts, many of which are found not only in Egypt, but also in the wider Roman and late antique world. It also sets out a new interpretation of everyday life and aspects of social relations in Egypt in the period under study. By taking a social archaeology approach, it contributes substantial insights into everyday practices and their social meanings in the past. Artefacts from UCL’s Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology are the principal source of evidence. Most of these objects have not been the subject of any previous research. The book integrates the close study of artefact features with other sources of evidence, including papyri and visual material. There are two principal parts to the book, Part I: ‘Exploring the Social Functions of Dress Objects’, and Part II: ‘The Domestic Realm and Everyday Experience’. An important theme is the life course, and how both dress-related artefacts and ordinary functional objects construct age and gender-related status, and facilitate appropriate social relations and activities. There is also a particular focus on wider social experience in the domestic context. Other topics covered include economic and social changes across the period studied.

Introduction

This introductory chapter sets out the theme of the book and provides necessary background on theoretical approaches, methodology, quality of data, and the geographical and cultural context of Egypt in the period studied. After introducing the rationale for the book and the social archaeology perspective that it utilizes, the chapter gives an overview of relevant interpretative approaches for a social archaeology of everyday life, focusing on the life course, design perspectives, and object biography. Methodological issues are then explored, relating to the selection of data and its quality and range. This includes an account of research undertaken that significantly improves the accuracy of dating for objects and enhances knowledge of their site provenance and archaeological context. A detailed example is provided of the re-association of extant artefacts with grave context information from the site of Qau el-Kebir. In order to provide a broad framework for the subsequent data studies, the final section sets out relevant social and cultural background relating to Egypt in the period studied, together with a brief overview of the distinct regions that make up Egypt.

Original String and Bead Assemblages

The chapter provides a chronological and regional overview of trends in bead jewellery in Egypt from the Roman to late antique periods, and provides both a social interpretation of this material, and insights into wider topics such as trade connections, and the social transformations that occurred in late antiquity. It first sets out the material to be studied. Important data include a substantial number of tomb assemblages from Qau el-Kebir, which are newly context-dated. The chapter then provides an overview of trends, drawing on evidence from individual items, including those preserved exceptionally well through the survival of their original string. A chronological trend from more homogenous to more diverse assemblages is documented, which together with increasing levels of reuse of earlier bead types, and the much greater proportions of non-glass beads seen in the latest assemblages, suggests economic disruptions to production processes. Evidence of trade contacts between Egypt and other areas is documented, including links with Germanic areas, Iran, and the wider Indo-Pacific region. Two more specific investigations follow, first a consideration of ancient coloured string, especially red string, presenting evidence of its apotropaic function, and second an examination of evidence for curation, reuse, and heirloom status in bead assemblages and its interpretation from a social archaeology perspective, in which beads are shown to be important in constructing life course identities and affirming family lineages. It is also demonstrated through bead assemblages and pendants how the cultural lives of people in late antique Egypt show many similarities with other communities across the Byzantine world.