Investigations on Late Egyptian Book of the Dead Mummy Band Manuscripts
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Kockelmann, Holger. Untersuchungen zu den sp盲ten Totenbuch- Handschriften auf Mumienbinden. Band I: Die Mumienbinden und Leinenamulette des memphitischen Priesters Hor. Band II: Handbuch zu den Mumienbinden und Leinenamuletten.
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Stefan Bojowald
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Kockelmann, Holger. Untersuchungen zu den sp盲ten Totenbuch- Handschriften auf Mumienbinden. Band I: Die Mumienbinden und Leinenamulette des memphitischen Priesters Hor. Band II: Handbuch zu den Mumienbinden und Leinenamuletten.
Year: 2015 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.7303
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The book "Untersuchungen zu den sp盲ten Totenbuch-Handschriften auf Mumienbinden" by Holger Kockelmann offers a comprehensive analysis of late Egyptian Book of the Dead manuscripts found on mummy wrappings. This two-volume work, stemming from the author's revised dissertation, focuses primarily on the funerary texts from the tomb of the Memphite priest Hor, which serve as essential artifacts for understanding the burial practices and beliefs of the Ptolemaic period in ancient Egypt. The review discusses the structure and findings of the study, highlighting its contributions to a relatively understudied area of Egyptology.
Examination of Textile Text Carriers
One significant concept presented in the first volume is the detailed examination of the textile text carriers, including the mummy wrappings and linen amulets belonging to the priest Hor. Kockelmann offers a thorough description of the texts and their distribution across various collections in Berlin, London, and New York. The research traces the history of these artifacts within 19th-century collections and provides prosopographical and genealogical details about the owners. The relationship between the materials' provenance and their functional significance in funerary rituals is investigated, situating the origins in Memphis and noting particular traits such as the owner's titles and the artistic iconography of the vignettes on the wrappings.
Typological and Technical Analysis
Another pivotal concept is the technical and typological analysis of the mummy wrappings and amulets. Kockelmann categorizes the textiles based on weaving techniques, thread density, and structural dimensions, asserting that these mummy wrappings represent some of the best-preserved examples of their type. The author also delves into the decorative aspects of these artifacts, emphasizing similarities between the leavings on linen and papyrus in the application of funerary texts and vignettes. The study discusses how the texts were typically inscribed with black soot ink, with occasional use of red ink for emphasis. By interpreting the findings within a broader context, including regional preferences and cartographic distribution, Kockelmann highlights the consistency of funerary practices exemplified by the textiles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kockelmann鈥檚 work is a significant contribution to the understanding of late Egyptian funerary practices and the textual tradition surrounding the Book of the Dead. It sheds light on an often-overlooked category of artifacts, revealing nuanced insights into the cultural and religious frameworks that shaped the presentation of texts and iconography in ancient Egypt. The detailed analysis provided in both volumes offers scholars a valuable resource for future studies within Egyptology, fostering deeper exploration of the social and historical contexts of these ancient texts.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of Kockelmann's work on mummy bandages?
Kockelmann's work examines the late Egyptian Book of the Dead mummy bandages, highlighting their significance and providing comprehensive analysis of the artifacts related to the memphitic priest Hor.
How is the first volume of Kockelmann's work structured?
The first volume is divided into two parts, focusing on the mummy bandages and linen amulets, detailing their collections in various museums and exploring their historical context and technical aspects.
What details does Chapter 2 of Volume I cover?
Chapter 2 reveals prosopographic and genealogical information about the owner of the mummy bandages, offering insights into their identity and lineage.
What significance do the texts on mummy bandages hold?
The mummy bandages are adorned with texts primarily from the Book of the Dead, providing essential insights into funerary practices and beliefs in the afterlife during late ancient Egypt.
What information is included in the second volume of Kockelmann's work?
The second volume presents a wider examination of late mummy bandages, discussing their geographic distribution, decoration, and typological preferences based on regional variants and textual analysis.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for 鈥淚nvestigations on Late Egyptian Book of the Dead Mummy Band Manuscripts鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Book:
The text reviews a comprehensive two-volume scholarly work by Kockelmann focusing on late Book of the Dead manuscripts on mummy bands and linen amulets. These volumes serve both as a detailed case study of the priest Hor's mummy bindings and a general handbook on the subject, making significant scholarly contributions to the study of funerary texts in ancient Egypt.
2) Egypt:
The reviewed work is centered on artifacts from Egypt, specifically mummy bands and linen amulets inscribed with texts from the Book of the Dead, originating from the memphitic region. The analysis spans from script styles and iconography to technical aspects related to their creation and usage during Egypt's Late and Ptolemaic periods.
3) Knowledge:
Kockelmann's investigation provides extensive knowledge about the manufacture, decoration, and usage of mummy bands with Book of the Dead texts. The work also considers the scribal practices, including corrections and text additions, offering knowledge into the methods and materials used by ancient Egyptian scribes.
4) Religion:
The Book of the Dead itself is a religious text, significant in Egyptian funerary culture. The study elaborates on texts and vignettes used on mummy bands and their relation to religious practices and beliefs, highlighting similarities with papyrus scrolls and detailing the extended funerary literature such as blessings and petitions.
5) Identity:
The text discusses the genealogical and prosopographical details of the memphitic priest Hor, providing insights into the ownership and identity of individuals associated with these artifacts. The identity of mummy band owners is also elaborated in a catalog format within the second volume of the review.
6) Dendera (Dandara):
[see source text or glossary: Dendera]
7) Roman (Roma):
The review briefly references the usage of funerary texts and identity representations in Roman Egypt, highlighting cultural continuity and changes in funerary religion and art. This context is included to show the evolution and adaptation of ancient Egyptian practices during the Roman period.
8) Dead:
The core subject of Kockelmann's work revolves around the Book of the Dead, a quintessential text in Egyptian funerary religion. The study of Book of the Dead manuscripts on mummy bands sheds light on their textual variations, usage, and historical significance in burial practices.