A multi-disciplinary approach to the characterisation of ancient leather processing in the Nile Valley during the Pharaonic era.

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Skin processing technology in Egypt and Nubia during the Pharaonic era (c.3000-30BC) is not well understood, norwhether leather-making was a craft ascribed to a particular population group or region. This project will build upon existingevidence, deploying multiple analytical approaches to identify hide types and processing substances of leather objects inthe British Museum collection.Current understanding of secondary processing of leather (e.g. stitching, decoration and colouring) in ancient Egypt andNubia is quite comprehensive . In comparison, primary processing methods (i.e. materials and techniques used to convertraw animal hides to leather), in particular during the pre-Roman period, are poorly understood . Similarly, we know verylittle about the social context of leatherworking, or the location of local and regional ancient skin processing centres duringthe Pharaonic era. Traditional opinion is that Egyptian leatherwork was more refined than contemporary Nubian material;however recent Nubian finds suggest this may not be so .This research would be timely in two areas. Firstly, advances in instrumentation mean we are more capable than ever ofanalysing complex organic materials. Secondly, the PhD will contribute new evidence to the debate aroundEgyptianisation, that is, the assumption that Nubian communities adopted Egyptian cultural practises in the latter part of thesecond millennium BC .Research questions-What types of animal hides were selected and how were they prepared in Ancient Egypt and Nubia during the Pharaonicperiod (c. 3000-30 BC)?-Can distinctive traditions between Egyptian and Nubian skin processing be identified through examination of the materialand processing methods?-Can certain hides and methods of preparation be associated with certain periods, or regions?The findings will be contextualized by anthropological and experimental research in practical leather processing to addresstechnological 'how', experiential 'why' and cultural 'where' questions, thereby building a new understanding of Pharaonicleatherwork and the possible role of distinct leather-making traditions in Egypt and Nubia.