@inbook{2b9a71688ecf49a2a1e9fd8fddf35320,
title = "Food for thought: considering the presence of zoomorphic figurines in Predynastic Egyptian burials",
abstract = "This paper explores whether the animals represented as clay zoomorphic figurines in Predynastic burial contexts dating to Naqada IA–IID (ca. 3,800–3,325 BC) may be evidence of a novel Predynastic folk taxonomy relating to food or consumable products. This follows a long-standing belief that zoomorphic figurines in Predynastic graves are replicas of the real animals in the burial context. The specific purpose of their replication and its benefits for the deceased still require further study, particularly when we encounter animal subjects that are not typically envisioned as {\textquoteleft}food{\textquoteright}. Their potential purpose in the burial is compared with zooarchaeological evidence for the partial and complete remains of animals in contemporaneous graves to explore whether zoomorphic figurines and faunal remains may, in some circumstances at least, be considered complementary in their funerary significance.",
keywords = "Predynastic Egypt, zoomorphic figurines, folk taxonomies, resources, burials",
author = "Elizabeth Brice",
note = "Copyright the Author(s) 2023. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.; International Symposium on Animals in Ancient Egypt, the Middle Nile and their hinterlands (3rd : 2022), ISAAE3 ; Conference date: 15-06-2022 Through 17-06-2022",
year = "2023",
language = "English",
series = "Serie Egittologica",
publisher = "UniorPress",
pages = "109--135",
editor = "Rosanna Pirelli and Pubblico, {Maria Diletta} and Salima Ikram",
booktitle = "Animals in religion, economy and daily life of ancient Egypt and beyond",
}