Dissertation Research: Mortuary Variability and Social Differentiation in Middle Kingdom Egypt

古代社会在物质遗迹中留下了其社会制度的明显证据。社会差异最重要的证据之一可以在太平间的遗骸中找到。本研究项目旨在检验有关中王国时期埃及社会分化程度和社会复杂性发展的理论，这些理论以太平间崇拜为证据。具体来说，学生将分析中产阶级崛起的问题。为了做到这一点，她将在埃及南部阿比多斯的墓地进行一次密集的调查和挖掘一个坟墓样本。地位分化和复杂社会的兴起是考古学中的经典问题。古埃及社会的不同寻常之处在于，殡葬仪式渗透到社会和政治组织的方方面面。不幸的是，在过去，许多工作都集中在壮观上，忽视了重要的可变性问题。这个及时的项目将有助于纠正这种情况，并为了解等级制社会组织的发展提供新的资料。

Ancient societies have left visible evidence of their social systems in material remains. One of the most important types of evidence of social differences can be found in mortuary remains. This research project is designed to test theories dealing with the extent of social differentiation and the development of social complexity in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom as evidenced in mortuary cults. Specifically, the student will analyze the problem of the rise of the middle class. To do this, she will conduct an intensive survey and excavate a sample of graves in the cemetary at Abydos, southern Egypt. Status differentiation and the rise of complex societies are classic problems in archaeology. Ancient Egyptian societies are unusual in the degree to which the mortuary cult permeated every facet of social and political organization. Unfortunately, in the past, much work has focused on the spectacular, ignoring important questions of variability. This timely project will help to remedy this situation and provide new information for understanding the development of hierarchical social organizations.