The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology

This paper explores exchange systems in the Predynastic and Early Dynastic Nile valley by examining distribution patterns of Egyptian pottery vessels in A-Group cemeteries of Lower Nubia. So-called ‘Hard Orange Ware’ vessels, manufactured within the Naqada culture area, were widely distributed along the valley, from the Delta to the Second Cataract region and beyond. Their presence in A-Group cemeteries, imported from the north, provides suitable material for investigating exchange systems between Naqada and A-Group societies. Quantitative analyses, including those on form assemblages and ‘fall-off patterns’, are applied, with the aim of elucidating distribution patterns, which may indicate developing complexity in exchange systems in Lower Nubia as complex societies developed within the Naqada culture.

The work of the Saqqara Geophysical Survey Project has involved a close examination of the landscape of this important necropolis, prompting a reconsideration of the role landscape may have played in the selection of sites for Early Dynastic royal burials at Saqqara. In this paper, the ideas of other authors are developed to argue that our modern view of Saqqara, which tends to regard the site from the perspective of the Nile Valley, is different from that of Egyptians of the Early Dynastic Period and early Old Kingdom. Furthermore, by altering our perspective of the site, a symbolic origin for the use of causeways in pyramid architecture can be proposed.

Recent excavations at the mastaba tomb of the Eighth Dynasty Vizier Shemai uncovered three limestone stelae showing the deceased receiving funerary offerings. These are believed to form part of a series of stelae, each of which represented specific offerings, such as choice meats or libation water, set along the northern exterior wall of the structure.

The late Twelfth Dynasty P. Butler (P. BM EA 10274) verso contains a literary text, in which a fowler laments his situation. This is similar in style to The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant on the recto, and may be part of the same text as P. Moscow 1695 verso. A discussion of the Theban provenance is followed by a text edition, incorporating collations with archival sources and photographs, and an annotated translation.

This article discusses several thematically related aspects of narrative strategies in the dialogues of Middle Kingdom literature, focusing on the congruence between questions and their answers. It variously suggests that there is a pattern for how an ideal reply should be styled; that Sinuhe's seemingly incongruous replies to Amunenshi's questions betray a hitherto undetected sub-text to the dialogue; and that an improvement may be in order to current interpretations of the Shipwrecked Sailor. While it is hoped that specific conclusions reached will not be found implausible, the article's cumulative aim is to offer a new arrow for the literary-critical quiver, suggesting that Middle Kingdom texts reward a scrutiny of the congruence between question and answer.

Although the ground plans of over a thousand houses have been recovered during excavations at the site of el-Amarna, the three-dimensional form of these houses remains a matter of debate. The question of reconstruction is important as discussion of the typicality of Amarna domestic architecture, as well as broader issues of urbanism in the New Kingdom, involve comparisons between Amarna houses and houses at Thebes, known principally from tomb paintings. Here, analysis of ground plans is used to argue that Amarna houses were predominantly two-storey buildings closely related to Theban dwellings, although the latter may have been more closely packed and taller as a result of years of infilling. House P47.24 illustrates the move toward increasing density at el-Amarna.

Publication of abnormal hieratic P. Michaelides 1 and 2 (P. BM EA 10907 and 10906), both dealing with a financial transaction involving the goatherd Ityaa and two of his colleagues. The texts probably come from Thebes and were written c. 700 bc.

Publication of the Ptolemaic and Roman coins discovered mainly in the course of the EES excavations at Qasr Ibrim in 1974. Written at that time by the original excavator, 167 coins and similar metal objects are fully described and illustrated.

The work of Nina Davies was always closely associated with the Egypt Exploration Society, and most of her articles appeared in the JEA and a number of her books in EES series. This article sketches her life and work, and makes a preliminary attempt at evaluating her place in Egyptology.

Publication of an inscription and associated rock-art discovered during survey work in the Kharga Oasis. This includes a previously unattested Early Dynastic serekh, here dated to Dynasty 0 or the early First Dynasty. The discovery demands a re-assessment of Early Dynastic activity in the Western Desert.

Publication of O. Ashmolean Museum HO 219 (belonging with O. BM EA 25289); discussion of O. Hasany Abdel-Galil (which appears to be the same text as O. Brunner); interpretation of the toponym in P. BM EA 10335 recto 2; and discussion of P. Turin Cat. 2034.

This article is a discussion of some terms used for ‘scribal palette’ in Graeco-Roman texts, and of how the interpretation of ‘sportive’ writings depends upon the context.

An alternative interpretation of an instrument depicted in a graffito at Meroe is suggested.