Rediscovering Black Coffins from Deir el-Medina: A Comprehensive Approachإعادة اكتشاف توابيت سوداء من دير المدينة: مقاربة شاملة

• Published in: Bulletin de l'Institut français d'archéologie orientale no. 121; pp. 255 - 305
• Main Authors: Eschenbrenner Diemer, Gersande, Sartini, Lisa, Serpico, Margaret
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IFAO - Institut français d’archéologie orientale 09-09-2021
• Subjects: Nouvel Empire; دير المدينة; woodcraft; cercueils noirs à décor jaune; الدهان، الراتنج; Thèbes; prophylactic process; الدولة الوسطى; couleur rouge; manufacturing techniques; حرفة صناعة الأخشاب; red colour; résine; Deir el-Medina; black coffins with yellow decoration; Deir el-Médina; اللون الأحمر; artisanat du bois; Amarna Period; Thebes; طيبة; توابيت سوداء بزخرفة صفراء; الطقوس الجنائزيّة; عصر تل العمارنة; wood analysis; Middle Kingdom; New Kingdom; varnishes; resin; تحليل المتعلقات الخشبيّة; عملية الصيانة; vernis; funerary practices; techniques de fabrication; période amarnienne; تقنيات التصنيع; analyse xylologiques; الدولة الحديثة; procédé prophylactique; Moyen Empire; pratiques funéraires
• ISSN: 0255-0962; 2429-2869
• DOI: 10.4000/bifao.8189

In recent years, the research carried out at Deir el-Medina under the aegis of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo (IFAO) has taken on new directions, accelerating the study of unpublished documentation and broadening the scope of research in many fields. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the reopening of pits 1022, 1049 and tomb TT217, used as magazines, led to the exciting rediscovery of hundreds of wooden objects excavated by Bernard Bruyère, among which various coffins and coffin fragments have been identified. Following this rediscovery, a team of researchers specializing in woodcraft was set up within the archaeological mission of Deir el-Medina (IFAO), with the aim of analysing, publishing and repacking all the wooden objects preserved at the site. The New Kingdom black coffins with yellow decoration found in the magazines are the subject of the present study, bringing together the archaeometric analyses in addition to the technical, stylistic and prosopographic observations made by three members of the wood team. This comprehensive analysis of the black coffins is the first stage in the on-going research.