Helwan II: the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom funerary relief slabs

This volume presents the archaeological and epigraphic documentation of 41 Early Dynastic and early Old Kingdom relief slabs from Helwan. It aims at correcting the lack of complete publication and comprehensive information necessary for the systematic study, chronological order, and interpretation of this complex of outstanding importance for the understanding of the art, archaeology, language, funerary beliefs, and society of early Egypt. Chapter 1 summarizes the history of discovery and changing interpretations. Chapter 2 considers the archaeological contexts as to deposition history and chronology. In chapter 3 the material, manufacture, different shapes and styles are discussed. Chapter 4 deals with the actual representations, their internal organisation, iconography, interpretation, and how they compare to contemporary parallels. By means of correspondence analysis, a precise relative chronological framework is established. Chapter 5 provides a commentary and a discussion of the inscriptions. Chapters 6 and 7 consider the overall interpretation of the material. The book ends with a catalogue with descriptions, translations, line drawings, and photographs of each piece.