Experiments in Egyptian Archaeology: Stoneworking Technology in Ancient Egypt

Description

In this new edition of Experiments in Egyptian Archaeology,Denys A. Stocks introduces further experimental research on stoneworking in Ancient Egypt through archaeological and pictorial evidence. A further 20 years of research has been added to the original publication and the book now includes the results of experiments that test and evaluate over 250 reconstructed and replica tools, bringing alive the methods and practices of Ancient Egyptian craftworking. This practical approach to understanding the fundamentals of Ancient Egyptian stoneworking highlights the evolution of tools and techniques, and how these come together to produce the wonders of Egyptian art and architecture. A new chapter on Predynastic industrial transitions and convergence explores how the surge in technology, particularly in the expanding production of stone vessels and in the production of faience artifacts, drove the expansion of the economy of the Late Predynastic period in Egypt. Introducing the results of new research to enrich our understanding of the fundamental development of stoneworking, and other supporting technologies in Ancient Egypt, this book remains an important volume for students and researchers wishing to understand Ancient Egyptian technology and development. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of tables List of figures Foreword Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Predynastic and Dynastic chronology Map of Egypt Preface to new edition Introduction Part I Skills and tools: fledgling industrialists 1 Craftworking: industry’s driving force Craftworking: mind over matter Important tools, materials and artifacts: a brief overview Experiments and their interpretation 2 The cutting edge Copper and bronze cutting tools A cluster of furnaces: the key to manufacturing expansion Hammering: the art of forceful shaping Enter the bow: a power transmission device Copper and bronze cutting tools: experimental manufacture and hardness tests To cut, or not to cut – that is the problem 3 A flint for all seasons Some evidence for the working of hard stones Flint and chert: a brief description The experiments with the flint tools Tools for keeping: tools for throwing away Part II High priests of industry: the state’s influence on technology 4 The abrasive technologists Flora and technology connections Abrasives and metals in use for the sawing and tubular drilling of stone The sand environment in Egypt: effects on human activity Drilling stones with reed tubes Copper: a new material for an old purpose The construction and use of the experimental Manchester saws and tubular drills The Aswan sawing and drilling experiments Discussion 5 Making stone vessels Stone vessels by the thousand The tomb evidence for stone vessel making Analysis of the pictorial evidence A twist/reverse twist drill attachment tool Reconstructed twist/reverse twist drills The twist/reverse twist drill tests Making stone vessels in ancient Mesopotamia Manufacturing a limestone barrel-shaped vase Discussion 6 The development of stone sarcophagus manufacture Shaping stone sarcophagi: surface decoration tools and techniques Hollowing hard-stone sarcophagi interiors Discussion 7 Master masonry fitters Masonry fitters’ tools Some problems confronting the mason The Kahun set of rods and string Some ancient uses for rods and string Fitting two megalithic blocks together: a proposal Friction and force: physics to the rescue Part III Industrial revolution in Ancient Egypt 8 Theban mass-production tools Early bead-making techniques Six New Kingdom tombs in the Theban necropolis Interpretation of the illustrations Manufacture of the reconstructed tools Experimental bead-drilling Discussion of the experimental results 9 By-products from a bygone age Modern by-product materials Ancient faience: a brief description Experimental faience manufacture Discussion 10 Predynastic transitions and convergence Evidence of Late Neolithic stone-drilling reed tubes in Egypt’s western Delta The stonecutting copper tubular drill: a primary generator of Egypt’s economic strength Transitions and convergence Some economic consequences of manufacturing soft- and hard-stone vessels Discussion 11 Ancient technical interrelationships Interconnected tools and processes Indicated craftworkers’ health problems Final summary Glossary of technical terms Bibliography Index