Three Hundred Years of Death

Maria Cannata, Ph.D. (2009), Oxford University, teaches Egyptology at Peking University. She has published many articles on the funerary sphere in the Graeco-Roman Period, including, most recently, From the Embalmers’ Cabinets of Curiosities and Titbits from Tatters: Papyrus Bodleian MS.Egypt.d.19(P).

"The volume should be of considerable interest and utility to a wide range of Egyptologists and Demotic and Greek papyrologists, as well as historians, anthropologists and archaeologists interested in the social history of death. The author has made the material accessible to those who do not control any or all of the ancient languages used in Ptolemaic Egypt, by providing English translations of all of the ancient passages cited. Those who do know the languages and source materials, however, will appreciate the author’s detailed discussions and considerations of the readings and meanings of individual words, phrases and passages with reference to transliterations, transcriptions and even hand copies of Demotic. There is also an extensive index of sources cited with bibliographic references, for those who wish to consult editions of the primary sources for themselves. The volume can thus be profitably consulted and used both as an overview of Egyptian funerary priests and their practices in Ptolemaic Egypt, and as a comprehensive reference work for many of their activities.”- Brian Muhs in Orientalistische Literaturzeitung 116-6 (2021)“Das Buch hat einen überraschend positiven Eindruck ergeben. (…) Die Lektüre ist auch so sehr zu empfehlen.”- Stefan Bojowald, in SZRKG/RSHRC/RSSRC, 115 (2021)"Biblical scholars should find a welcome platform to pursue further any questions they might have about funerary practices in Ptolemaic Egypt."- Lester L. Grabbe

• Preface and AcknowledgmentsList of Tables, Figures and PlatesIllustration CreditsAbbreviationsOutline of Egyptian ChronologyIntroduction1 Setting the Scene2 Previous Scholarship on the Subject3 Scope and Organisation of the Book4 Notes on the Conventions and Abbreviations UsedPart 1 The Organisation of the Necropolis and its Funerary Priests1 The Theban Necropolis1 The Overseer of the Necropolis2 The Lesonis3 The Steward4 Choachytes5 Territorial Jurisdiction of the Choachytes6 Embalmers7 Territorial Jurisdiction of the Embalmers8 Other Funerary Priests2 The Edfu Necropolis1 The Overseer of the Necropolis and the Lesonis2 Choachytes and Lector-Priests3 Territorial Jurisdiction of Edfu Necropolis Workers3 The Memphite Necropolis1 The Overseer of the Necropolis2 God’s Seal-Bearers as Lector-Priests and Choachytes3 Territorial Jurisdiction of the Memphite Funerary Priests4 The Hawara Necropolis1 The Overseer of the God’s Seal-Bearers and Embalmers2 God’s Seal-Bearers (and) Embalmers as Lector-Priests and Choachytes3 Other Funerary Priests4 Territorial Jurisdiction of the Hawara Funerary Priests5 The Organisation of the Hawara Necropolis5 The Necropolises in Middle Egypt1 The Head of the Necropolis2 Lector-Priests and Embalmers3 Man of the Necropolis4 Seal-Bearer Who Attends the God5 God’s Seal-Bearers6 Necrotaphoi7 Territorial Jurisdiction of the Funerary Priests in Middle Egypt6 Female Funerary Priests1 Choachytes2 Embalmers7 Services, Income and Taxation of Funerary Priests1 Definition of the Services Performed by Funerary Priests2 Different Types of Revenues3 Income of Lector-Priests and Embalmers4 Personal and Professional Taxation, Contributions and Exemptions5 Other Economic Activities of the Funerary Priests8 Priestly Associations1 Association of Theban Choachytes2 Association of Theban Lector Priests3 Association of Memphite Mortuary Priests4 Associations of Mortuary Priests in the Fayum5 Associations of Mortuary Priests in Middle Egypt9 The Funerary Priests and Their Social Context1 Place of Residence of the Funerary Priests2 The Funerary Priests and Their FamiliesPart 2 Death, Mummification and Burial10 Death1 The Mourning Period2 Arranging for the Services of Funerary Priests3 Transport of the Deceased to the Necropolis11 Mummification1 The Embalming Place: the pr-nfr and the wꜥb.t2 Arranging for the Mummification of the Deceased3 The Mummification Process: Stages, Rituals and Materials4 Funerary Priests Involved in the Mummification Process12 Burial1 Role of the Funerary Priests Following the Mummification Process2 Funeral and Burial3 The Lexicology of the Entombment4 Delayed Burial5 Mortuary Cult13 Funerary Expenses1 Mummification Materials and Burial Equipment: Production, Acquisition and Provision2 Provision of Mummification Materials and Burial Equipment3 Burial Taxes4 Cost and Payment of the ‘Mummification and Burial’14 The Deceased1 The Living and the Dead2 Epithets of the Dead3 Social Status and Ethnic Background of the DeceasedPart 3 Necropolises, Tombs and Burials15 Necropolises1 Location of Burial Grounds2 Funerary Landscape: Topographical Textual Notes3 God’s Acre: Possession, Taxation and Acquisition of Plots and Tombs16 Tombs1 The Lexicography of Tombs’ Typology2 Tombs’ Typology: Textual and Archaeological Evidence3 Building a New Tomb4 Using an Existing Tomb5 Collective Tombs17 Burials1 Select Survey of Inhumations’ TypologyPart 4 Discussion and Conclusion18 Discussion and Conclusion1 The Organisation of the Necropolis and its Funerary Priests2 Death, Mummification and Burial3 Necropolises, Tombs and BurialsAppendix 1: Palaeographical and Orthographical Analysis of the Root ḳsAppendix 2: P. Florence 3667 (111 BC)Appendix 3: TablesBibliographyList of the Main Primary Sources Analysed (arranged by necropolis and category)Bibliographical Details of the Primary Sources Cited (Arranged Alphabetically and by Museums’ Inventory Number)List of Personal NamesList of Toponyms MentionedSelect Index of WordsPlates