Archive for category PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology
BOOK REVIEW: PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 9 (1) (2012)
Posted by PalArch Editor (IN) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on January 28th, 2012
Christoffer Theis about Dodson, A. 2003. The Pyramids of Ancient Egypt. – London, New Holland Publishers.
Aidan Dodson verfolgt mit seinem Buch den Ansatz, eine Zusammenstellung aller Pyramiden in Ägypten zu bieten, ein „up-to-date listing of all known examples belonging to kings and queens“ (S. 6, vgl. auch S. 7 & 13). Wie Dodson bereits auf S. 6 richtig feststellt, sind zwar einerseits sehr viele Bücher über Pyramiden erschienen, andererseits stellt es aber ein Desiderat dar, dass bisher kein Corpus alle Bauwerke in extenso behandelt. [...]
Veldmeijer, André J. 2011. Studies of Ancient Egyptian Footwear. Technological Aspects. Part XIV. Leather Eared Sandals. – Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 8(5) (2011), 1-31. ISSN 1567-214X. 31 pages + 14 figures, 3 tables.
Posted by PalArch Editor (IN) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on December 1st, 2011
Abstract Leather Eared Sandals, i.e. sandals with pre-straps that are cut from the sole’s leather, are a well known category of sandals in ancient Egypt, mainly because the manufacturing is depicted in scenes that decorate tombs. Based on archaeological finds, we can recognise several subcategories and types. The present paper, as part of the Ancient Egyptian Footwear Project’s publication series, presents the technological details of this category of leather sandals. As usual in this series of papers, other topics are discussed in passing.
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BOOK REVIEW: PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 8 (4) (2011)
Posted by PalArch Editor (IN) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on November 6th, 2011
René van Walsem about Manley, B. & A. Dodson. 2010. Life Everlasting. National Museums Scotland Collection of Ancient Egyptian Coffi ns. – Edinburgh, National Museums Scotland.
After an overview (without title, pp. 1-10) of the history of the conglomerate of the National Museums Scotland – with special attention to the Egyptian collections and the individuals who were most closely related to their development, among whom Rhind was the most prominent – the Egyptian coffin collection is divided into seven ‘parts’.
The introduction sketches the archaeological and culture historical context. Part 1 (Cat. 1-2, pp. 12-19) describes two Middle Kingdom coffins of two men, both of whom were called Khnumhotep (no family relation), with the coffins respectively rectangular and anthropoid in shape. The main text is followed by notes, a pattern repeated for the remaining six parts. [...]
BOOK REVIEW: Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 8 (1) 2011
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on June 25th, 2011
Christoffer Theis about Lepre, J.P. 2006. The Egyptian Pyramids. A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference. – Jefferson/London, McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers (2nd Edition).
Das mit 341 Seiten recht umfangreiche Buch von J.P. Lepre stellt nach seiner eigenen Aussage eine “manuscript compilation for my own reference” dar, “providing me with quick access to crucial information while in the field” (S. VII). Im Buch findet sich zu jeder Pyramide ein einzelner Eintrag, der diverse Informationen enthält. Darüber hinaus [...]
BOOK REVIEW: Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 8 (3) 2011
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on June 25th, 2011
Daniel Arpagaus about D’Auria, S.H. Ed. 2008. Servant of Mut: Studies in Honor of Richard A. Fazzini. – Leiden/Boston, Brill (Probleme der Ägyptologie 28).
Die Festschrift für Richard Fazzini, den langjährigen Kurator und Vorsteher der Abteiling für ägyptische Kunst am Brooklyn Museum, New York, versammelt insgesamt 32 Aufsätze von Freunden un Kollegen. Der Inhalt der Beiträge is vielfältig und deckt ein chronologisches Spektrum von Har-Aha (Redford: 198ff.) bis zu Ptolemaios XII. ab (Johnson & McLain: 134ff.). Thematisch lassen sich trotzdem [...]
Gregory Bearman, Mark S. Anderson & Kenneth Aitchison. 2011. New Imaging Methods to Improve Text Legibility of Ostraca – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 8(2) (2011)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on June 18th, 2011
Abstract We report on experiments on three new methods to improve text contrast for carbon ink ostraca. These are (1) Raman imaging, (2) Micro-focus XRF scanning and (3) exogenous contrast agents either to enhance the X-ray signal or create an optical fluorescence signal. We tested all three methods with modern ‘stunt’ ostraca, made using a variety of carbon-based inks. In each imaging modality, the inks are clearly differentiated from the clay background. The exogenous contrast enhancement, in particular, suggests a variety of approaches to improving text legibility.
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BOOK REVIEW: Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 7 (7) 2010
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on December 9th, 2010
André J. Veldmeijer about Picton, J. & I. Pridden. 2008. Unseen Images. Archive Photographs in the Petrie Museum. Volume 1: Gurob, Sedment and Tarkhan. – London, Golden House Publications
Sometimes, a book does not need a long review to explain its importance. ‘Unseen Images. Archive Photographs in the Petrie Museum. Volume 1: Gurob, Sedment and Tarkhan’ is one of these…
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BOOK REVIEW: Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 7 (9) 2010
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on November 18th, 2010
Ingrid Blom-Böer about Fitzenreiter, M. 2009. Das Ereignis Geschichtsschreibung zwischen Vorfall und Befund. – London, Golden House Publications (IBAES X)
Dem Vorwort zum ersten Band IBAES (Internet-Beiträge zur Ägyptologie und Sudanarchäologie/Studies from the Internet on Egyptology and Sudanarchaeology) Vol. I, 1998 kann man entnehmen, wie die Idee zur Internet-Publikation zustande kam und welche Ziele verfolgt werden sollten. Man möchte mit der zu dem Zeitpunkt relativ neuen Form der elektronischen Kommunikation den Versuch starten, „möglichst schnell, unkompliziert und preiswert Forschungsergebnisse einer breiten wissenschaftlichen Öffentlichkeit zugänglich zu machen.“ Durch die Interdisziplinarität der Beiträge erhoffeman sich des Weiteren, dass sich auch eine Leserschaft außerhalb der Ägyptologiefindet. Die Downloads aus dem Internet lassen sich problemlos öffnen und sind kostenlos. Im Vorwort des Bandes…
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BOOK REVIEW: Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 7 (10) 2010
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on November 12th, 2010
Jan Moje about Hafemann, I. 2009. Dienstverpflichtung im Alten Ägypten während des Alten und Mittleren Reiches. – London, Golden House Publications (IBAES XII)
Die vorliegende Arbeit, die 1990 in dieser Version an der Akademie der Wissenschaften der DDR verteidigte Dissertation der Autorin, beschäftigt sich mit verwaltungstechnischen und ökonomischen Aspekten königlicher, also „staatlicher“ Dienstpflicht während des Alten und Mittleren Reiches. Zur Rezension lag die Druckversion des Textes vor, die in der Reihe IBAES stets parallel zu der nach einiger Zeit bequem kostenfrei verfügbaren Internetversion steht….
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BOOK REVIEW: Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 7 (8) 2010
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on November 12th, 2010
Lukas Petit about Carver, M. 2009. Archaeological Investigation – London / New York, Routledge
I must admit I had my prejudices reading this new publication of Martin Carver. Another archaeological guide, which was moreover “the best book in the English language for fifty years” according to Richard Hodges of the University of Pennsylvania. Don’t we have enough of those books? From Wheeler’s ‘Archaeology from the Earth’, till Renfrew & Bahn’s ‘Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice’, they all try to be complete, objective, critical and influential. And at the end they never were, at least not without revising and reprinting regularly. It seems a myth that world’s archaeology is to be described in one publication, including un-endless types of find spots, un-endless ways of approaches and un-endless ways of interpretations. You would never try to write a book about the animals of the world with the intention to be complete, would you? So, why trying to summarize archaeological investigation? Nevertheless ….
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Luca Miatello. 2010. Examining the Grand Gallery in the Pyramid of Khufu and its Features. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(6) (2010)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on July 23rd, 2010
Abstract The explanation of the symmetrical features on the west and east sides of the grand gallery in the pyramid of Khufu has always been an intricate puzzle for researchers. The existence of such peculiar features is generally related to the function of parking the granite plugs, but only three or four granite blocks were presumably used to plug the ascending corridor, while a much larger number of slots and niches are found in the gallery. Previous interpretations of niches, slots, cuttings and grooves are unsatisfactory, and the present investigation focuses on important, formerly neglected aspects. The analysis of numerical patterns in the design of the grand gallery provides crucial evidence, and a new interpretation of the features in the gallery is, therefore, proposed, by considering the numerous variables implied in the problem.
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Giulio Magli. 2010. Archaeoastronomy and Archaeo-Topography as Tools in the Search for a Missing Egyptian Pyramid – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(5) (2010)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on May 27th, 2010
Abstract Among the royal pyramids of the 6th Egyptian Dynasty, that of the second king, Userkare, is missing. This Pharaoh, however, ruled long enough – two to four years – to plan his pyramid on the ground and have the workers excavate the substructure. Userkare’s unfinished tomb might therefore be buried in the sands of the Memphite necropolis, possibly with a copy of the Pyramid Texts carved on its walls. In the present paper, methods based on archaeo-topography and archaeoastronomy have been applied with the aim of finding the possible location of the building site of this monument.
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BOOK REVIEW: PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(4) (2010)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on May 12th, 2010
Jan Moje about Nyord, R. 2009. Breathing Flesh. Conceptions of the Body in the Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts. – København, Carsten Niebuhr Institute Publications 37.
Sie Sargtexte gehören mit zu den wichtigsten Quellen über die altägyptischen Vorstellungen vom Jenseits. Sie waren Bereits Thema diverser Arbeiten, darunter jedoch relativ wenige Detailstudien zu den religiösen Konzeptionen und Vorstellungen einzelner Bereiche. In Diese Sparte ist nun das vorliegende Buch einzuordnen. Bei dieser umfangreichen…
Hans Paijmans & Alex Brandsen. 2010. Searching in Archaeological Texts. Problems and Solutions Using an Artificial Intelligence Approach. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(2) (2010)
Abstract Searching in documents using full text indices is a powerful tool for retrieving relevant portions of text. However, performance is impeded by ambiguity in texts: similar words may have totally different meanings according to context. This also is true if the words are numbers, periods and place names, especially in archaeological and historical contexts. A new way of indexing texts allows for better and easier searching. This system has been developed in a collaboration between the RCE (The Dutch National Service for Cultural Heritage) and the University of Tilburg. With Open Boek, it is possible to search on chronological and geographical expressions, as well as regular keywords. In the newest version of Open Boek a number of additions to the system have been made to further improve the functionality.
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BOOK REVIEW: PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 7(3) (2010)
Posted by PalArch Editor (AV) in Book Reviews, PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on March 6th, 2010
Nicholas Warner about Schijns, W. With contributions from O. Kaper & J. Kila. 2008. Vernacular Mud Brick Architecture in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt and the Design of the Dakhleh Oasis Training and Archaeological Conservation Centre. – Oxford, Oxbow Books (Dakhleh Oasis Project Monograph 10)
Much has changed in the environment of the Dakhleh Oasis since the research published in this monograph was carried out in 1997, but this does not diminish its value. Rather it emphasizes the need for further thorough documentation of traditional habitats in Egypt before they dissappear entirely, swept away by a tide of structures of concrete, steel, fired brick and cheap limestone blocks. The impetus for this study was provided by….
