Social Archaeology, Social Relations and Archaeological Materids

189 Pages·1998·9.16 MB·English

Social Archaeology, Social Relations and Archaeological Materids: Social Power as
Depicted in the Wall An in the Tombs of the Pharaoh's Tomb-Builders, Deir el-Medina,
Egypt, XVIII-XX Dynasties.
by
Kimberly A Newman, B.A.
A thesis submitted to
the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
in partial Wfillment of
the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
April 17, 1997
Copynsht
Kimberly A Newman
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Social Archaeology, Archeological Thought, Social Relations, Power, Orientalism, State
Formation, Irrigation Theory, Integration Theory, Connict Theory, Egypt, Egyptology,
Ancient Art, Deir el-Medina, New Kingdom.
This thesis is an examination of the goals and methods of social archaeology.
This is accomplished by exarnining the history of archaeologkal thought and the factors
which gave nse to the need for a social archaeology. ïheq the social archaeologicai
method is explained and hally is applied in a case study which seeks to understand
social power structures from waiI art which decorated the waüs of the private tombs of
the tomb builders in during the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. The purpose of this
case study is to demonstrate how a social archaeological study would work. The thesis
condudes with some rernarks on the positive and negative points of the social
archaeological method.
-
.*
III
In Loving Memoly of John W. Sharp.
Acknowledgrnents
1w ould like to take this opportunity to thank ail of those people who have helped me so
much along the way. Professor Derek Smith for the years of advice and enthusiasm and
for believing so strongly in me. Professor Charles Laughlin for his fiiendship and
support. Rodney Nelson who provided years of support both emotional and technical
and without whom this project would never have been possible. Rick Belleville for the
photography that provided me with the wondefil plates used in chapter three. Dr.
Nicholas Miuet for introducing me to the tomb builders of Deir el-Medina and for
allowing me unlirnited access to the iibrary at the Department of Egyptology at The
Royal Ontario Museum. Dr. George MacDonald for taking the tirne to act as the
extemal examiner and for providing me with ideas for the future. Nazira Conroy and
Kim Mitchell for listening to me as patiently and for as long as they did and always with
a sde. Professors Jared Keil and Bruce Cox for their help along the way. Mum,D ad,
Charles and Chriaopher for their unlimiteci support, encouragement and love
throughout this project and always. FinalIy to all of the family, niends and colleagues
who played a part in helping me reach this goal, my most sincere thanks to each and
every one of you.
Social Arcbaeology, Social Relations and Archaeological Materiais: Social Power
as Depicted in Wall Art in the Tombs of the Pharaoh's Tornb-Builden, Deir el-
Medina, Egypt, XVIII-XX Dynasties.
by :
Kimberiy A, Newman
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................ 1
Chapter 1 Social Archaeology: A General Review of the
Theoreticai and Methodologicd Issues ...................................................... 11
What is Social Archaeology ........................................................... 12
Theory and Methodology ..............................................................1 3
Schools of Archaeologid Thought ............................................. 13
Systemic Adaptive Theory ............................................................. 13
Structuralisst Approach ................................................................... 14
Mancist Theory ........................................................................... 14
Historical Archaeology ............ ......... . ........................................ 15
Ethnoarchaeology .......................................................................... 16
Contextual Archaeology ............................................................... 17
Post-Processual Archaeology .................................................... 18
Social Archaeology: Theoretical Issues ........................................ 20
Social Archaeology: Methodology .............................................. 22
Conclusion .................................................................................... 23
Chapter 2. Identification of Conceptual Tools Drawn From Social
Archaeology to be Applied in the Case Analysis ....................................... 25
Introduction .................................................................................. 26
Theories of Power and State Formation ........................................ 27
Integration Theorists ..................................... ... ........................... 31
Connict Theories .......................................................................... 37
Irrigation Theory .......................................................................... 38
Final Remarks ............................................................................. 39
Archaeological Analyses Similar to the Case Study .................... .... 44
Ethnographie and Historical Analysis ........................................... 46
Conclusion ................................................................................... 50
Chapter 3. The Tomb builders of Deir el-Medina: A Social
Archaeological Analysis ............................................................................ 51
Introduction .............................. .. ..................................................... 52
Part One
State Formation in Early Dynastic Egypt .................................................. 53
The People of Deir el-Medina ............................................ 57
\'ii
Part Two
Statement of Objectives ................................................................ 65
Plate 1 ......................................................................................... 68
Plate2 ......................... ... ......................................................... 70
Plate 3 k.. ....................................................................................... 73
Plate 3B ........................................................................................... 74
Plate 4 .......................................................................................... 76
Plate 4a ........................................................................ ... .............. 77
Plate 4b ................. ................................................................ 78
,..
Plate 5 ........................................................................................ 80
Plate 6 .......................................................................................... 82
Plate 7 .......................................................................................... 84
Plate8 .......................................................................................... 85
Plate 9 .......................................................................................... 87
Plate 10 ........................................................................................ 88
Plate 11 ........................................................................................ 90
Plate12 ...................................................................................... 91
Plate 13 ........................................................................................ 93
Plate 14 ........................................................................................ 95
Plate 15 ................... ................... , ......................................... 96
Plate 16 ..,.................... ...,...... .................................................... 98
Part Three
Insights into Power Structures fiom Similar Archaeological Accounts ......... 100
Analyses fiom DSerent Theoretical Frameworks. ................................ 104
Integration Theory ..................................................................................... 10 5
Conflia Theory ......................................................................................... 107
Conctusion ............................................ ..................... 109
,...
Some Concluding Remarks ................................................................................ 1 1 1
Appendix A ........................................................................................................... 122
Bibliography .......................................................................................................... 169
List of Plates (Appendix A)
Plate 1 ..................................................................................................... 124
c. 13054080 BC. Wornan Nursing a Child. Ostracon. Deir el-Medina, New
Kingdom.
Reproduced nom William H. Peck, 1978:1 4.
Plate 2 ..................................................................................................... 126
Entrance wd to the Haii of PilIars in the tomb of Ramose at Thebes. A Festive
Gathering. Left part ofthe relief Pictured here are Keshy and an unknown
person as well as May and his wife Werel.
Copyright Kurt Lange and Max Himer, 1968:#173.
Plate 3a .....................................................................................................1 28
From the entrance wail in the Hall of PiUars in the tomb of h o s e .P ictured
here are the parents of Ramose, Neby and Apuya.
Copyright Kurt Lange and Max Kirmer, 1968 :#174.
Plate 3b ..................................................................................................... 130
From the entrance wall in the Hall of Pillars in the tomb of Ramose.P ictured
here are the brother of Ramose, Amenhotep, and his wife, May.
Copyright Kurt Lange and Max Hirmer, 1968 :#175.
Plate 4 ..................................................................................................... 132
XIX Dynasty. Rom the tomb of Ramose at Thebes. Scenes fiom a funeral
procession. The top half depicts a fùnerary register extending the length of the
wali wMe the bottom is a detail of it.
Copyright Kurt Lange and Max m e r , l 968:#l7 1.
Plate 4A ................................................................................................. 1 3 4
c. 1375 BC. Detail of plate 4 which depicts servants bringing fiimishings to the
tomb of Ramose at Thebes.
Copyright Arpag Mekhîtarian, 1954:1 14.
Plate 4B ..................................................................................................... 136
c. 1375 BC. This detail of plate 4 depicts servants taking goods to the tomb,
while women express their grief.
Copy~@~Cth arles K. WWson, 1983 :33-34.
Plate 5 ............................................................................ 138
X ED ynasty. Tomb of Sennedjem at Thebes. Pictured here are the tomb owner
and his wife on the right whiie on the left are Tcharo and his d eT aia
Pictured in the center is Bounakhtec son of Sennedjem, a fimeral pries.
Copyright Andre L'Hote, 1954:#38.
Plate 6 ....................................................................................................1. 40
c. 1275 BC. Deir el-Medina. This substantially restored painting cornes f?om the
tomb of the sculptor Ipy . Ipy and his wife receive offerings fiom their children
who are pictwed here at right.
Copyright Rita E. Freed, l987:93.
Plate 7 ................ ................................................................................... 142
,.
X ED ynasty. Deir el-Medina, The typical fàmily at Deir el-Medina Pictured
here is the foreman Anherkhau, his wife and their children.
Copyright Andre L7Hote, 1954:#39.
Plate 8 ..................................................................................................... 144
X ED ynasty, Thebes. From the tomb of Sennedjem. Semedjern and his wife
appear at work in the fields of paradise.
Copyright, Andre L7Hote71 954:#69.
Phte 9 ..................................................................................................... 146
XIX Dynasty. Thebes. From the tomb of Sennedjem. Pichired here are Sennedjm
and his d est anding before Osiris and the other members of the divine tribunal.
Copyright Andre L7HoteY19 54:#149.
Plate 10 ........................................ .......... . .............................................. 148
XiX- XX Dynasty, Thebes. From the tomb of Anhurkhawi. Pictured here is the
deceased standing before the Phoenix of Heliopolis.
Copyright Andre L'Hote, 1954:g 15 5.
..
Plate 11 ............................................................... 250
Thebes. From the Tomb of Nefferompet. A scribe takes inventory while artisans
are at work on their ma&.
Copyright Andre LyHote, 1954:#lO8.
Plate 22 ..................................................................................................... 152
XVIII Dynasty. Thebes. From the tomb of the viner Rekhmire. Pictured here at
the top are goldsmiths and on the bottom brick-making.
Copyright Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt, l962:#.