Making Memories in Ancient Egypt

Memory does not exist in the abstract; instead, it emerges from relational networks that include people, artefacts, and environments.

Leire Olabarria (Author)

9781009598552, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 April 2025

90 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.6 cm, 0.271 kg

Memory is a fascinating way to approach modern and ancient cultures, as it raises questions about what, why, and how individuals and groups remember. Egyptology has had a major impact on the development of memory studies, with Jan Assmann's notion of cultural memory becoming a widespread model within the humanities. Despite this outstanding contribution of Egyptology to memory studies, remarkably few recent works on ancient Egypt deal with memory from a theoretical and methodological point of view. This Element provides a general introduction to memory, followed by a discussion of the role of materiality and performativity in the process of remembering. A case study from Middle Kingdom Abydos illustrates how memory can be embodied in the monumental record of ancient Egypt. The purpose of this Element is to present an up-to-date introduction to memory studies in Egyptology and to invite the reader to rethink how and why memory matters.

1. Making memories in ancient Egypt
2. Memory and memory studies
3. The materiality of remembering: monuments, places, and technologies of remembrance
4. Middle kingdom Abydos as a place of memory
5. Making memories about ancient Egypt
References.

Subject Areas: Egyptian archaeology / Egyptology [HDDG]