Living with the Dead - Ancestor Worship and Mortuary Ritual in Ancient Egypt (Paperback)

Living with the Dead presents a detailed analysis of ancestor worship in Egypt, using a diverse range of material, both archaeological and anthropological, to examine the relationship between the living and the dead. Iconography and terminology associated with the deceased reveal indistinct differences between the blessedness and malevolence and that the potent spirit of the dead required constant propitiation in the form of worship and offerings. A range of evidence is presented for mortuary cults that were in operation throughout Egyptian history and for the various places, such as the house, shrines, chapels and tomb doorways, where the living could interact with the dead. The private statue cult, where images of individuals were venerated as intermediaries between people and the Gods is also discussed. Collective gatherings and ritual feasting accompanied the burial rites with separate, mortuary banquets serving to maintain ongoing ritual practices focusing on the deceased. Something of a contradiction in attitudes is expressed in the evidence for tomb robbery, the reuse of tombs and funerary equipment and the ways in which communities dealt with the death and burial of children and others on the fringe of society. This significant study furthers our understanding of the complex relationship the ancient Egyptians had with death and with their ancestors; both recently departed and those in the distant past.

General

Imprint:	Oxbow Books
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Studies in Funerary Archaeology, 6
Release date:	December 2012
First published:	June 2012
Authors:	Nicola Harrington
Dimensions:	172 x 242 x 13mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	208
ISBN-13:	978-1-84217-493-7
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Books > Humanities > Archaeology > Archaeology by period / region > Middle & Near Eastern archaeology > Egyptian archaeology Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions > Ancient Egyptian religion Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions > Death & dying > General Books > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian religions > Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions > Ancient Egyptian religion
LSN:	1-84217-493-2
Barcode:	9781842174937

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