Deir el-Medina Flashcards
Where is Deir el-Medina located?
The village was established in western Thebes, on the west bank of the Nile.
Which pharaoh is credited with founding the village of Deir el-Medina? And his mother associated with the founding?
Amenhotep I, his mother was Ahmose-Nefetari.
When was new-kingdom Egypt?
a period of Egyptian history extending from the 16th century BC to the 11th century BC, covering the 18th,19th
and 20th dynasties
What was the primary purpose of Deir el-Medina?
A village for workers who built the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Which modern Egyptologist is known for his work at Deir el-Medina and the study of its inhabitants?
Bernard Bruyere
What is ostraca?
Potsherds used as surfaces for writing or drawing.
What evidence of commerce and trade have been found at Deir el-Medina?
Records of goods exchanged between workers, recorded by scribes.
What was the social structure of egypt?
Egyptian society had a social structure as follows:
1. the pharaoh, or king
2. government officials
3. nobles and priests
4. scribes and soldiers
5. artisans and merchants, and
6. peasants and slaves.
What was the social structure of the village workers at Deir el-Medina?
- Cheif workmen
- Scribes
- Skilled artisians
- Labourers
- Servants
What was the role of women in Deir el-Medina?
Women had various roles in Deir el-Medina, with thier main purpose being to support their husband and brith many children. They were similar to a housewife, responsible for the care of the children, cooking and cleaning, but were expected to remain slender and attractive. In many illustrated sources, the wife is depicted behind her husband to highlight her support, while being slightly smaller in size to show the man still held more power. However, despite the ideal women being busy mothers and wives, in reality women of Deir el-Medina had small businesses to make extra income for the family and would also run extra errands such as bringing her working husband food durinh the day.
What was trade and commerce like in Deir el-Medina?
Workers were paid in grain, beer and other goods rather than money in Deir el-Medina. Villagers would also trade goods with eachother or at markets, which indicates good trade relations across Egypt and how they used a barter-based system of trade and commerce. The fact that rations were grain and beer, tells us that Egypt’s farming was mainly grains especially as barley is used to make beer also.
How are royal tombs different to non-royal tombs? Name a famous royal tomb built by the Deir el-Medina workers.
Royal tombs were larger and better hidden in the cliffs to avoid theft of the many treasures inside from tomb robbers. Royal tombs also had grander paintings and carvings to indicate wealth as well as rarer paint hues like blue to indicate wealth too. Seti I’s tomb is a famous royal tomb known for its elborate decorations and hidden chambers.
Which religous practices were commonly observed in Deir el-Medina?
Personal Piety (Speaking personally directly to the gods no matter what social class, role, etc) and the use of amulets. E.g Eye of Horus, also called Wadjet, a symbol of protection, health, and wholeness.
Name five gods/goddesses worshipped in Deir el-Medina and their purpose.
What was the Book of the Dead?
The Book of the Dead was an ancient Egyptian collection of mortuary texts made up of spells or magic formulas, placed in tombs and believed to protect and aid the deceased in the hereafter. Therefore, it was greatly significant in the burial practices of New Kingdom Egypt.
Using an example of a non-royal tomb, explain how its contents can provide insight into everyday life at Deir el-Medina?
An example of a non-royal tomb is the tomb of Kha and Meryt. It was filled withmany items valuable to them, that they would have used in everday life, including items indicating wealth and practices of the village therefore
