The paper aims at analysing the context, dating and assemblage of more than hundred clay figurines coming from the site of Lahun and now preserved in the Petrie and Manchester Museums. Usually dated to the late Middle Kingdom, unfortunately the archaeological context of these figurines has not been accurately documented by Petrie and some of them could also belong to the New Kingdom. The figurines have been arranged into three macro categories: I. Anthropomorphic; II. Zoomorphic; and III. Inanimate/Undetermined. Relevance has been given to some groups which show a certain homogeneity, such as the female plaque figurines, crocodile (Reptilia), hippopotami and pigs (Artiodactyl mammals), boats, and enigmatic discoid shapes with one hole or depression in the center and around a circular contour of small dots. The paper gathers together other comparable contexts (Lisht, Amarna, Abydos, Deir el-Ballas, Deir el-Medina, Edfu, Elephantine, Sai, Qubban, Buhen, Askut, Shalfak, Uronarti, and Semna) in order to provide better source of information for Lahun figurines. As result, it appears evident that figurines of Lahun might not all belong together in terms of chronology, use, assemblage, and context.
Context, Dating, and Assemblage for the Clay Figurines of Lahun: Open Questions and Documented Parallels
Miniaci
2024-01-01
Abstract
The paper aims at analysing the context, dating and assemblage of more than hundred clay figurines coming from the site of Lahun and now preserved in the Petrie and Manchester Museums. Usually dated to the late Middle Kingdom, unfortunately the archaeological context of these figurines has not been accurately documented by Petrie and some of them could also belong to the New Kingdom. The figurines have been arranged into three macro categories: I. Anthropomorphic; II. Zoomorphic; and III. Inanimate/Undetermined. Relevance has been given to some groups which show a certain homogeneity, such as the female plaque figurines, crocodile (Reptilia), hippopotami and pigs (Artiodactyl mammals), boats, and enigmatic discoid shapes with one hole or depression in the center and around a circular contour of small dots. The paper gathers together other comparable contexts (Lisht, Amarna, Abydos, Deir el-Ballas, Deir el-Medina, Edfu, Elephantine, Sai, Qubban, Buhen, Askut, Shalfak, Uronarti, and Semna) in order to provide better source of information for Lahun figurines. As result, it appears evident that figurines of Lahun might not all belong together in terms of chronology, use, assemblage, and context.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
