ARCH 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Serekh, Bowling Pin, Menes
Document Summary
Splendor of the temples and tombs of ancient egypt evoke: Egyptian writing is referred to as hieroglyphs, the familiar symbols that appear in formal inscriptions and on tomb walls. In fact, egyptian scribes also developed cursive hands used for everyday purposes. These examples show formal hieroglyphic script (top line), and below it both the cursive s(cid:272)ript a(cid:374)d the s(cid:272)ri(cid:271)e"s shortha(cid:374)d, whi(cid:272)h was used for rapid writi(cid:374)g. Unlike mesopotamia, natural resources were plentiful near the nile. Practically everything and everyone existed along the river. Transportation was relatively simple because of the river. Sailed south (upstream against the current) using the prevailing northerly winds. Our knowledge of egyptian culture is very largely a reflection of the history of its archaeological investigation: Due to highly restricted geography, communities tend to be built one upon the other on the flood plain. Lots of recycling of materials for rebuilding, and mixing of previous occupations.