Migration in Archaeology: An Overview with a Focus on Ancient Egypt

Abstract

After a general introduction to the study of migration in archaeology, the author offers ancient Egypt as a case study, again starting with an overview, as well as combining texts, pictorial materials, and archaeology. She then studies evidence from funerary archaeology, including the Pan Grave phenomenon of the late Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate period and the mixed Egyptian and Syro-Palestinian culture attested at Tell el Dab'a for roughly the same timespan. The latter site is reviewed as a settlement with evidence for migration, and Kahun is mentioned briefly. The conclusion states that definite conclusions are elusive, as well as citing the examples of the 18th dynasty tombs of Heka-nefer in Lower Nubia and Aperel at Saqqara for different, elite styles of assimilation or foreignness. There is an extensive bibliography.