The Social And Cultural Order Of Ancient Egypt

From the Narmer palette to funerary preparations to pyramids, Steen Bergendorff draws on anthropological insights to provide new interpretations of accepted truths about Ancient Egypt. Bergendorff traces societal reproductive patterns in Ancient Egypt and the regional trade network that stretched from the Levant and Mesopotamia in the west and Nubia and Africa to the south in order to illustrate Ancient Egyptian culture anew. This book is recommended for students and scholars of archaeology, anthropology, Egyptology, and history.

Fascinating account of Egypt, predynastic civilization through Ptolemies: social and political structure, daily life, international relations, religion and cult of the dead, arts and crafts, science and medicine, sacred writing. 48 plates.

The story of Egypt is the story of history itself—the endless rise and fall, the life and death and life again of the eternal human effort to endure, enjoy, and understand the mystery of our universe. Emerging from the ancient mists of time, Egypt met the challenge of the mystery in a glorious evolution of religious, intellectual, and political institutions and for two millenniums flourished with all the vigor that the human heart can invest in a social and cultural order. Then Egypt began to crumble into the desert sands and the waters of the Nile, and her remarkable achievements in civilization became her lingering epitaph. John A. Wilson has written a rich and interpretive biography of one of the greatest cultural periods in human experience. He answers—as best the modern Egyptologist can—the questions inevitably asked concerning the dissolution of Egypt's glory. Here is scholarship in its finest form, concerned with the humanity that has preceded us, and finding in man's past grandeur and failure much meaning for men of today.

Scholars in Egyptology have often debated the following question: was the ancient Egyptian society organized along patrilineal or matrilineal lines? In taking a fresh and innovative look at the ancient Egyptian family, Allen attempts to solve this long-standing puzzle. Allen argues that the matrilineal nature of the ancient Egyptian family and social organization provides us with the key to understanding why and how ancient Egyptian women were able to rise to power, study medicine, and enjoy basic freedoms that did not emerge in Western Civilization until the twentieth century. More importantly, by examining the types of families that existed in ancient Egypt along with highlighting the ancient Egyptians' kinship terms, we can place the ancient Egyptian civilization in the cultural context and incubator of Black Africa. This groundbreaking text is a must-read for Historians and those working in African Studies and Egyptology.

This fascinating account of ancient Egypt presents predynastic civilization through Ptolemies: social and political structure, daily life, international relations, religion and cult of the dead, arts and crafts, science and medicine, sacred writing, and much more. Includes full reference to recent excavations. Features 48 plates.

Truly interdisciplinary work between Sociology and History is are, because one discipline usually exploits the concerns or data of the other. Eric Carlton, however, has succeeded in bringing together the distinctive orientations of sociology and ancient history into a clearly written discussion of concerns crucial to both disciplines. Based on a comparative analysis or two pre-industrial civilisations, those of Ancient Egypt and Classical Athens, the study is primarily concerned with three issues. The first is the relationship between belief and action: does belief (intellectualised as ideology) affect or determine social behaviour? Second, the author examines the ways in which belief contributes to stability and ‘good order’ in society, and asks to what extent such factors as social status and social change are related to institutionalised mechanisms of social control. Finally, he indicates possible sociological frameworks or models which are ideological rather than stratificatory, whereby complex pre-industrial systems might be analysed. By analysing the societies of Ancient Egypt and Classical Athens in institutional terms, Eric Carlton examines the potency and pervasiveness of the ideological factor and shows that it is a persistent and determinative feature of this type of society.

This book reveals several aspects of the Ancient Egyptian culture, such as the very remote antiquities of Egypt; the Egyptian characteristics and religious beliefs and practices; their social/political system; their cosmic temples; the richness of their language; musical heritage and comprehensive sciences; their advanced medicine; their vibrant economy; excellent agricultural and manufactured products; their transportation system; and much more. This Expanded Edition of the book consists of four Parts with a total of 16 Chapters, as well as three Appendices. Part I : The Peoples of Egypt consists of four chapters 1 through 4, as follows: Chapter 1: The Beginning covers the age of the Egyptian antiquities being at least 39000 years, in accordance with archaeological, historical and physical evidence; the Age of Leo and the Sphinx; as well as the age of the Egyptian Sothic calendar which is by far the most accurate calendar ever. Chapter 2: The Egyptian Populous covers the roots and characteristics of the [Ancient]Egyptian people, their housings, their settlements throughout the world; and the roles of foreigners in the history of Ancient Egypt. Chapter 3: The Most Religious covers Egyptian cosmology; monotheism and polytheism; animal symbolism ,creation of the universe, the concept of Maat; and the spread of the Ancient Egyptian religion throughout the world under new "names". Chapter 4: The Social/Political Order covers the basis and applications of the matrilineal/matriarchal principles; the matrilocal communities; the Egyptian grassroots republic system; the dual overseeing/administration governing system; and the documentation order of all matters in the Egyptian society Part II : The Cosmic Correlations consists of three chapters 5 through 7, as follows: Chapter 5: As Above, So Below covers the principles and applications of cosmic consciousness in the life of the Egyptians; and the cyclical renewal festivals as a form of such principles Chapter 6: The Pharaoh, The Cosmic Link covers the true rule of the Egyptian pharaoh as a Master Servant; how did the people rule; and much more. Chapter 7: Egyptian Temples provides a quick overview of the real function/objective of the Egyptian temple; the harmonic design parameters; and much more. Part III : The Learned Egyptian consists of five chapters 8 through 12, as follows: Chapter 8: The Divine Language provides a quick overview of the modes of writing in Ancient Egypt -- the alphabetical form of writing and the imagery pictorial metaphysical symbols/script ; as well as the cultured aspects of the Egyptian alphabetical language Chapter 9: The Egyptian Musical Heritage provides a quick overview of its musical heritage; the musical orchestras; the wide range of musical instruments; as well as dancing and ballet in Ancient Egypt. Chapter 10; Health and Medicine provides a quick overview about the international highest regards for Egyptian medicine; its medical profession; contents of the some Egyptian medical papyri regarding diagnosis, cures and treatments of various ailments, surgeries; and the wide range of prescriptions Chapter 11: Astronomy covers the astonishing accurate astronomical knowledge and practices such as astronomical observations and recordings, the zodiac cycle,etc Chapter 12: Geometry and Mathematics covers a quick overview of the subjects of sacred geometry and natural science, geodesy, mathematics & numerology; as well as their knowledge and applications of the sacred “ratios” of Pi and Phi. Part IV : The Vibrant Economy consists of four chapters 13 through 16, as follows: Chapter 13: The Cultivating Culture covers the outstanding application of dry-weather farming techniques; societal division of labor; and the farming community Chapter 14; The Manufacturing Industries covers The Egyptian knowledge of metallurgy & metalworking; their golden silver (electrum) products; their copper and bronze products; their glazing (glass and glazing) products; their iron products; their mining activities; miscellaneous products such as woodwork; fabrics; pottery; leather; paper; as well as some miscellaneous technological applications Chapter 15: Transportation Infrastructure covers a quick overview of the various high quality types of the Egyptian ships; major Egyptian coastal harbors; land transportation; as well as patrons and shrines of travel Chapter 16: The Market Economy covers the workings of the Egyptian market economy; business transactions; Egyptian exports (goods and services); Egyptian imports; as well as the rise and fall of international commerce, that was tied to Ancient Egypt as the economical engine of the ancient world. The contents of the three appendices are evident from their titles; being: Appendix A: Photographs -- The Rising Valley Appendix B: Photographs -- The Age of Leo and The Sphinx Appendix C: Photographs -- Astronomy

Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture offers an historical overview of the civilizations of the ancient Near East spanning ten thousand years of history. This new edition is a comprehensive introduction to the history and culture of the Near East, from prehistory and the beginnings of farming to the fall of Achaemenid Persia. Through text, images, maps, and historical documents, readers discover the material, social, and political world of cultures from Egypt to India, allowing students to see how these intertwined cultures interacted throughout history. Now fully updated and incorporating the latest scholarship on society, religion, and the economy, this book highlights the changing fortunes of these great civilizations. A special feature of this book is its many "Debating the Evidence" sections, where the reader becomes familiar with scholarly disputes concerning the interpretation of textual and archaeological evidence on a variety of topics and case studies. The fourth edition of Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture remains a crucial textbook for undergraduates and general readers studying the ancient Near East, particularly the political and social history of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, as well as students of archaeology and biblical studies who are working on the region.