Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology [Paperback]

Paul T. Nicholson (Editor), Ian Shaw (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521120985 | ISBN-13: 978-0521120982 | Publication Date: October 1, 2009 | Edition: 1

Aimed primarily at Egyptologists and archaeologists, this book covers all aspects of craftwork in ancient Egypt, from the construction of the pyramids and the carving of statues to techniques of mummification, boat-building, jewelery making, ancient brewing, carpentry, hairstyling, tailoring and basket weaving. Drawing on archaeological, experimental, ethnographic and laboratory work, it is the first book since the 1920s to describe current research into the actual basics of life in Pharaonic Egypt. The twenty-five chapters, by well-regarded scholars, present up-to-date and accessible information on a wide array of techniques.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is a much needed, well-illustrated, and engrossing update on the status of research on materials and technology, and with the added attraction of multidisciplinary colaboraton on key topics." International Journal of African Historical Studies

"...a splendid companion." Ancient History Bulletin

"The editors have enlisted the specialist knowledge of thirty-four scholars and the resulting volume is very impressive...drawings and pictures illustrate most chapters, good use being made of the rich visual documentation found in scenes of daily life in Egyptian tombs." Times Literary Supplement

"...Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology is very likely to be the standard reference tool on these subjects for the next several decades. It will be difficult to create a volume as comprehensive, clearly written, well documented and highly illustrated as Professors Nicholson and Shaw have prepared." Charles Kolb, The Reviewer

"This monumental encyclopedic volume sets new standards of excellence....An essential resource for reference collections and material culture specialists." Choice

"[a] new, long awaited book...Nicholson and Shaw have produced a very useful reference tool for those involved in research in the field of Egyptian materials and technologies...it presents a very useful summary of known facts and many of the scientific techniques that can be applied...it is readable and covers a wide enough area to be a useful reference." SAS Bulletin

"...this volume offers a new standard reference for scholars, students, and museum professionals alike." Religious Studies Review

"A much-needed, well illustrated, and engrossing update on the status of research on materials and technology, and with the added attraction of multidisciplinary collaboration on key approaches."

Book Description

Aimed primarily at Egyptologists and archaeologists, this book covers all aspects of craftwork in a ncient Egypt, from the construction of the pyramids and the carving of statues to techniques of mummification, boat-building, jewellery making, ancient brewing, carpentry, hairstyling, tailoring and basket weaving. Drawing on archaeological, experimental, ethnographic and laboratory work, it is the first book since the 1920s to describe current research into the actual basics of life in Pharaonic Egypt. The twenty-five chapters, by well-regarded scholars, present up-to-date and accessible information on a wide array of techniques.

Product Details

• Paperback: 728 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521120985
• ISBN-13: 978-0521120982
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must for your library, May 4, 2000

By 

Francesca Jourdan (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology (Hardcover)

A much awaited book, this is the latest comprehensive study of Ancient Egyptian materials, offering essays on subjects such as stone, metals, faience, glass, papyrus, textiles, leather, ivory, wood, oil, resins and food, and covering from the Predynastic to the Ptolemaic periods. Every chapter, which includes extensive bibliographical references, was written either by an Egyptologist or by a specialist of the subject; contributors include Janine Bourriau, Rosalie David, Joann Fletcher, Nigel Hepper, Salima Ikram, Barry Kemp, Geoffrey Killen, Paul T. Nicholson, Stephen Quirke, Ian Shaw and John Tait. Full illustrated, it also clearly explains the techniques used in the identification of materials. This is an excellent reference for every student and scholar of Egyptology.

1 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Library book, September 16, 2000

By 

P. van Rijckevorsel (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology (Hardcover)

This is an academic reference book, designed for a library shelf. It is a little bigger than its 702 pages would suggest, because it is printed on thick glossy paper in quite a good printing quality. The illustrations are in a style reminiscent of years long gone by (all B&W).

The chapter on wood consists of two sections. The first contains descriptions of some thirty trees: fairly elaborate botanical description, brief characterization of wood type, a few words on the use made of the wood and a listing of archaeological finds. For the anatomical description the reader is referred to a work that (finally) appeared as "Plants in Archaeology". It is obvious that not much research has been done on the wood in Ancient Egyptian objects. The second section deals with the technology (joints) and tools used by the Egyptians: a much more limited topic and one lending itself well to an overview.