This book is the result of a large-scale research undertaking "Trade Routes of the Near East", examining Egyptian-Levantine interaction in the 4th Millennium BC. Chapters explore many issues related to copper and trade in the long period covering the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages, but also Roman period, with a special extension to present metallurgical practices in the African interior. A wide range of data discussed here was collected from across the eastern Mediterranean region including Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus and Greece.

The book presents issues relating to the oldest known examples of human mortuary practices from the area of Northern Egypt and dating to the end of the Early Dynastic period. The research surveys changes in sepulchral architecture, offerings, body positioning and other elements of generally understood burial customs. Space is also found for discussions on social stratification, political development of the early Egyptian state and the Lower Egyptian cultural legacy, which contributed to the rich Egyptian civilization. The story focuses on recent archaeological fieldworks with a special stress on the revealing necropolis of Tell el-Farkha.