Woods, Gillian
2016.
In the beginning…the origins of predynastic religion.
PhD Thesis,
Cardiff University.
This work covers the Western Desert to the Nile Valley during the period
ca. 6500-3750 calBC and determines the aetiology and nature of early
Predynastic (Badarian- ca. 4350-3750 calBC) belief systems. The
migration of peoples from the Western Desert to the Nile Valley as a
result of the commencement of aridification in ca. 5300 calBC would have
influenced belief systems. Throughout, a flexible theoretical framework
is used to interrogate the heterogeneous evidence. The catalyst for the
work is Bárta’s retrospective interpretation of the rock-art motifs in
Wadi Sura as early representations of ancient Egyptian deities and the
beginnings of ancient Egyptian religion. The motifs are also linked to
Middle Kingdom concept of the dead by Le Quellec. These two
interpretations are examined and are proved to be incorrect. The
conclusion is that the motifs are the result of a shamanic rain ritual.
Archaeological evidence reveals there was no direct contact between Wadi
Sura and the Nile Valley. The rock-art in Dakhleh Oasis and environs
was also analysed as was the megalithic site of Nabta Playa. Although
different, both appear to have had concerns about rain and fertility.
Ceramic evidence reveals contacts between Nabta Playa, Dakhleh Oasis and
the early Badarian sites. This suggests that at least part of the
aetiology of beliefs was the Western Desert. The interrogation of
mortuary evidence at Gebel Ramlah, associated with Nabta Playa and that
of the Badarian period reveals a belief in an afterlife, rebirth and
regeneration. The role of the living is considered vital for the dead to
achieve this transformational status. At all sites the supernatural and
symbolism appear to play an important role as does shamanism. It is
apparent that the concepts of fertility, an afterlife and rebirth formed
the basis of the early Predynastic belief systems. No recognisable
deities existed.
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