Kara Cooney's "Recycling for Death" meticulously examines the reuse of coffins in ancient Egypt, exploring the social, economic, and religious implications during the Ramesside and early Third Intermediate periods. The book uses funerary datasets to reveal social strategies and adaptations during the Bronze Age collapse and subsequent Iron Age. The analysis of coffins and funerary equipment provides insights into the changing social dynamics and resource management. The study also highlights the innovative religious strategies and coping mechanisms employed during this period of crisis. The book is richly illustrated with over 900 images, offering a detailed visual record of the coffins and their modifications.
This book delves into the fascinating world of ancient Egyptian leatherwork, focusing on the artifacts discovered in Tutankhamun's tomb. It covers a wide range of items such as armor, chariots, clothing, footwear, and furniture, providing insights into the craftsmanship and significance of these leather remains. The authors, André J. Veldmeijer and Salima Ikram, bring their expertise to shed light on these historical treasures.
Linen wrapping. Expensive resins. Sarcophagi. Preserving for eternity – or until someone raids their tomb. It’s a brand-new Spooktober episode with not one but two guests: Dr. Salima Ikram is a professor of Egyptology and expert on mummification of both people and animals, and is joined by veteran guest from the Egyptology episode, professor and author Dr. Kara Cooney. The two chat about mummification techniques, how food studies lead into the pyramids, controversy over the word “mummy,” whiffing the dead, socioeconomic factors in mummification, animal mummies, lingering mysteries, field work, a house mouse, and more. Next week in Part 2 we’ll dive into more ethics of collections, human sacrifice, the people who ate mummified remains, paint colors, coffin engravings and the meaning of “magic.”
Visit Dr. Cooney’s website and follow her on Instagram, X, YouTube, and Facebook
Get Kara’s latest book, Recycling for Death: Coffin Reuse in Ancient Egypt and the Theban Royal Caches, and browse her other books on Amazon or Bookshop.org
Subscribe to Kara’s Substack Ancient/Now
Visit Dr. Ikram’s website and follow her on Facebook
Get Salima’s latest book, Let a Cow-Skin Be Brought: Armour, Chariots and Other Leather Remains in Tutankhamun’s Tomb, and browse her other books on Amazon or Bookshop.org
Donations went to the Yellowhammer Fund and Doctors Without Borders
More episode sources and links
Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes
Other episodes you may enjoy: Egyptology (ANCIENT EGYPT), Taphology (GRAVESITES), Desairology (MORTUARY MAKE-UP), Thanatology (DEATH & DYING), Ambystomology (AXOLOTLS … AND LIMB REGROWTH?), Melaninology (SKIN/HAIR PIGMENT), Spooktober episodes of the past
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