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

法老时代（公元前3000 - 30年）埃及和努比亚的皮革加工技术还不太清楚，北方的皮革制造是否是一种属于特定人口群体或地区的工艺。该项目将以现有证据为基础，采用多种分析方法来确定大英博物馆收藏的皮革制品的皮革类型和加工物质。目前对古埃及和努比亚皮革二次加工（如缝合、装饰和着色）的了解相当全面。相比之下，人们对初级加工方法（即将兽皮转化为皮革所用的材料和技术），特别是前罗马时期的方法知之甚少。同样，我们对皮革加工的社会背景，或者法老时代当地和区域古代皮肤加工中心的位置知之甚少。传统观点认为埃及的皮革制品比同时代的努比亚材料更精致;然而最近的努比亚发现表明事实可能并非如此。首先，仪器的进步意味着我们比以往任何时候都更有能力分析复杂的有机材料。第二，博士将贡献新的证据，以辩论aroundnatianisation，即假设努比亚社区通过埃及文化习俗在后半部分的第二个千年公元前。研究问题，什么类型的动物皮革被选择，以及他们是如何准备在古埃及和努比亚在法老时期（c。公元前3000-30年）？通过对材料和加工方法的检查，能否确定埃及和努比亚皮肤加工之间的独特传统？某些兽皮和制备方法是否与某些时期或地区有关？研究结果将通过实际皮革加工中的人类学和实验研究来解决技术上的“如何”，经验上的“为什么”和文化上的“哪里”问题，从而建立对法老皮革制品的新理解以及埃及和努比亚独特的皮革制作传统的可能作用。

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.