1. Journal of Ancient History 4 (283)
  2. Vessel and its Contents: on the Interpretation of Some Egyptian Tomb Scenes of the Old Kingdom

Vessel and its Contents: on the Interpretation of Some Egyptian Tomb Scenes of the Old Kingdom

Malykh Svetlana E.

During the archaeological exploration of Egyptian rock-cut tombs of Khafraankh, Khufukhotep and Perinedju, as well as of mud-brick burials in the Old Kingdom Minor cemetery in Giza, beer jars with Nile mud or white plaster inside were found among the grave goods. Analysing the archaeological context of the finds and comparing them with similar objects in other Memphis cemeteries and with the scenes of brewing in the tombs of the V and VI dynasties, the author comes to the conclusion that the beer jars with mud are to be regarded as imitations of offerings, while the jars with white plaster could have contained beer. The process of covering jars with light marl clay is shown on the tomb scenes and is called dw śin («covering with marl clay»).

Keywords: Ancient Egypt, Old Kingdom, elite tombs, ancient Egyptian ceramics, burial rite, brewing
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