Archeology of Egypt and Sudan, 1

Unveiling Female Social Power in Early Egypt (c. 3080–2180 BCE)

Kelly, Sue

This book presents a groundbreaking perspective that challenges traditional narratives about women’s roles in Early Dynastic and Pyramid Age Egypt. This book sheds light on the significant involvement, influence, and impact of women in the socioeconomic structures of the early Egyptian state.
Previous title studies have often focused on male titleholders and relegated female vocations to the private sector. Examining women’s titles and iconography through a theoretical lens presents a compelling argument supported by statistical data for re-evaluating women’s engagement in critical structures of Egyptian society. It features a catalogue of over 1400 women comprising a cross-section of various classes of women and an index of 156 titles. The interdisciplinary approach employs sociological frameworks to determine women’s access to social power and engagement in Egypt’s political, economic, and ideological domains. This contribution goes beyond traditional analyses of power structures, including heterarchical networks and political power.