Measuring meaning in Egyptian art: A new approach to an intractable problem

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This project aims to produce new insights into the meaning of Eqyptian tomb art. Tomb paintings are a primary source of information about ancient Egyptian life, but what was the original purpose of this art? Previous hypotheses have proposed a range of personal, social or religious functions, but the question remains unresolved. The project aims to break through this impasse by testing the validity of the most comprehensive theory to date via an innovative visual and statistical analysis of wall paintings at the Middle Kingdom site of Beni Hassan. The results are expected to bring greater clarity to our understanding of Egyptian art, and so allow an objective evaluation of its use as a historical document.