This project examines the practice of adding additional burials into existing mortuary spaces during the Egyptian Old through Early Middle Kingdoms (c.2686–c.1991 BCE) to understand how the ancient Egyptians engaged with physical space to create a sense of ‘place.’
The project specifically uses alterations to mortuary space as a medium to explore ancient Egyptian engagements with these spaces.
Alteration broadly refers to changes that are done to the original, physical burial space. For example, changes made to accommodate new burials, like decorative/textual changes and the addition of burial shafts, are an example of alteration.
Using an original, interdisciplinary framework, my thesis explores how and why additional burials were integrated into existing mortuary spaces. My thesis also redresses and reframes prevailing colonial narratives regarding these alterations in modern academic discourse.
Most studies of additional burial generally categorise these additional burials as ‘intrusive’ or ‘secondary.’ A close analysis of Egyptian engagement with these spaces, however, shows that these burials were considered integral to the continuation of individual mortuary cults.
Redressing colonial interpretations critically reframes additional burials in scholarship to show that these burials are not inherently bad as often described.