Mummy's Wrap

Through the preservation of basketry, and the study of basketry, however misrepresented, scientists are able, not only to understand the forming and function of baskets, but also the evolution of basketry through time. From the observations made above, one can map, to a certain extent, the evolution of basketry in ancient Egypt. The Neolithic and Predynastic periods saw a rough, but well-constructed coiled basket, bent solely on function and ease of production. Time was not to be wasted on such baskets. Function was still foremost in a basket maker’s thoughts in the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom, though that did not deter them from exploring more artistic representations of their functional baskets. The Middle Kingdom saw a surge in the artistic flair used in basketry, when dyed wrapping materials were used, if not for the first time, then for the first time in force. The New Kingdom expanded on the dyed materials in their basketry, moving from two colors to a polychrome basketry. Also in the New Kingdom, there appears to be a move towards using different basketry techniques in the construction of single baskets. The Late Period saw new experiments being made occasionally in basketry, with the wrappings being executed in different manners. The Roman period saw a more extensive move towards multiple technique baskets.

This study has shown a distinct evolution of coiled basketry and, while interesting to note, is very one-dimensional. In 1940, Harry Tschopik, Jr., produced an extensive study on Navajo basketry. In this study, Tschopik follows three questions: Why has basketry survived as an artistic tradition and a functional tool? How have the attitudes of the people making the baskets changed? If so, what processes led to these changes (Tschopick, 1940)? To follow Tschopik’s lead and study the historical evolution, not only of the basketry, but of the attitudes and outside influences on the basketry, may be a worthwhile study. This could show why baskets evolved the way they did, focusing on the individuals making and using the baskets, the cultural evolution surrounding the baskets and how that culture, as it changes, also demands changes from the basketry. This paper as it is presented, is the first step in such a study that will hopefully be continued in the future.

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That's a Wrap!

Tags: Ancient Egypt, ancient egypt basket, ancient egypt basketry, ancient egypt baskets, ancient egyptian basket, ancient egyptian basketry, ancient egyptian baskets, basket, basketry, basketry through time, basketry weaving, baskets, changes in basketry

This entry was posted by Page Strong on Wednesday, May 4th, 2011 at 09:30 and is filed under Ancient Egypt, Archaeology, Basketry, Egyptology, Every Day Life, Everyday Life, Science/Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.