Synopses & Reviews
The last fifty years have seen extensive research of the ancient ports on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, the mines and quarries in the region, and the road systems connecting these to the Nile Valley. What has been missing is a systematic study of the peoples of the Eastern Desert in whose territories these activities took place. Hans Barnard and Kim Duistermaat's The History of the Peoples of the Eastern Desert aims to fill this gap, clearly demonstrating that despite a harsh environment and scholarly neglect, the native inhabitants of the Eastern Desert have their own culture and history. Divided into two parts-the first covering the Holocene until Alexander the Great, and the second the last two and a half millennia-this volume brings together the leading authorities on the area and its peoples to provide an overview of the history of the Eastern Desert that is unparalleled for its comprehensiveness. The extensive range of topics addressed include among them specific historical periods, natural resources, nomadic survival strategies, ancient textual data, the interaction between Christian hermits and their neighbors, and more. Each chapter summarizes, evaluates, and discusses the historical significance of relevant archaeological and written sources, providing readers with an essential starting point for future research on the Eastern Desert.
Synopsis
The last quarter century has seen extensive research on the ports of the Red Sea coast of Egypt, the road systems connecting them to the Nile, and the mines and quarries in the region. Missing has been a systematic study of the peoples of the Eastern Desert--the area between the Red Sea and the Nile Valley--in whose territories these ports, roads, mines, and quarries were located. The historical overview of the Eastern Desert in the shape of a roughly chronological narrative presented in this book fills that gap.
The multidisciplinary perspective focuses on the long-term history of the region. The extensive range of topics addressed includes specific historical periods, natural resources, nomadic survival strategies, ancient textual data, and the interaction between Christian hermits and their neighbors. The breadth of perspective does not sacrifice depth, for all authors deal in some detail with the specifics of their subject matter. As a whole, this collection provides an outline of the history and sociology of the Eastern Desert unparalleled in any language for its comprehensiveness. As such, it will be the essential starting point for future research on the Eastern Desert.
Includes a CD of eleven audio files with music of the Ababda Nomads, and six short videos of Ababda culture.
Synopsis
From a multidisciplinary perspective, this study focuses on the long-term history of the region, addressing an extensive range of topics including specific historical periods, natural resources, nomadic survival strategies, ancient textual data, and the interaction between Christian hermits and their neighbors.
About the Author
Hans Barnard is adjunct assistant professor of archaeological sciences in the department of Near Eastern languages and cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Kim Duistermaat is director of the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC).