The Egyptian theory of monumental writing as related to permanence and endurance

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    One of the primary factors motivating the ancient Egyptians to construct monuments, in particular those of a funerary nature, was the desire to overcome the transience of human existence. Many measures were taken to ensure that one would be remembered for eternity, such as building and inscribing texts in a durable material, including one’s name on an enduring monument, protecting against natural damage, and threatening against willful damage. The desire for permanence was also reflected in statements attesting that damage was not done to earlier monuments and that damaged monuments were restored.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationThe Oxford handbook of Egyptian epigraphy and palaeography
    EditorsVanessa Davies, Dimitri Laboury
    Place of PublicationNew York
    PublisherOxford University Press
    ChapterI.3
    Pages44-58
    Number of pages15
    ISBN (Print)9780190604653
    Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Keywords

    • Ancient Egypt
    • Egyptian epigraphy
    • concept of permanence
    • concept of history
    • permanence
    • monument
    • transience
    • eternity
    • durable
    • damage
    • restoration
    • Egypt
    • writing

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