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From refuse to rebirth: repositioning the pot burial in the Egyptian archaeological record

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2016

Ronika K. Power  and
Yann Tristant
Ronika K. Power*
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER, UK (Email: rkp30@cam.ac.uk) Department of Ancient History, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia (Email: yann.tristant@mq.edu.au)
Yann Tristant
Affiliation:
Department of Ancient History, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia (Email: yann.tristant@mq.edu.au)
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: rkp30@cam.ac.uk)
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Abstract

The interment of bodies in ceramic vessels, or ‘pot burial’, was a widespread practice across the ancient world. Commonly associated with poverty, and with child and infant burials, the reuse of domestic vessels for burial has been taken to indicate that low value was assigned to the containers and their contents. New analysis urges a more holistic and culturally situated understanding. Contradictory evidence reveals that this burial practice was also used for adults and is represented in high-status tombs. Far from being recycled ‘rubbish’, the ceramic containers may have reflected symbolic associations between pots, wombs and eggs, facilitating rebirth and transition into the afterlife.

Keywords

Egyptpot burialfunerary practice
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 90 , Issue 354 , December 2016 , pp. 1474 - 1488
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2016 

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