Book Review: Early Dynastic Egypt

Abstract

the Naqada III Period.' Another strange omission, in chapter 5, is the absence of any reference to the large temple at Tell el-Balarnun,? although it is mentioned on p. 39, with a reference to foundation deposits. Although the removal of the stone architecture originally erected at Qantir/Piramesse to San el-Hagar/Tanis is mentioned in the paragraph on Qantir on pp. 108-9, it is not discussed on pp. 112-13 in the description of Tanis itself. Contrary to what is stated on p.l13, the royal tombs there probably did have some superstructure, possibly in mudbrick, although it is not mentioned by the excavator, Pierre Montet. Returning to p. 109, 1 think that by now the probability of Tell ed-Dab'a being ancient Avaris can be amended to a near-certainty. The Austrian excavators of the site, incidentally, might be surprised to find themselves identified as 'Czech' in the caption of the upper right photograph on that page. Among other mistakes, one might note that on p. 47, the obviously Coptic inscription in the upper right photograph is described as 'Greek' in the caption, and on p. 142, the rock temple of el-Salamuni is not mentioned by name but is obviously referred to in the text on Akhmim. Although the bibliography on pp. 246-50 does not claim to be complete, and any selection must always be arbitrary, two more references at the very least should be added on p. 248-under 'The Role of the Common People in Worship', the study by G. Pinch, Votive Offerings to Hathor (Oxford, 1993), and under 'Middle Egypt: From Memphis to Asyut'on p. 249, the publications on the Ashmunein excavations by the British Museum Expedition. In summary, this is a practical book for the English-speaking market, although readers of German are better served elsewhere. WILLEM M. VAN HAARLEM