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Ancient Egyptian Ritual of “Smashing the Red Pottery” (śḏ dšr.wt) and Red Ceramics of the Old Kingdom
 
PIIS032103910004459-7-1
DOI10.31857/S032103910004459-7
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Svetlana E. Malykh 
Occupation: Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Affiliation: Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow
Journal nameVestnik drevnei istorii
Edition
Pages5-22
Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of interpretation and material fixation of the ritual of “smashing the red pottery” on the basis of a complex analysis of written, iconographical and archaeological sources. The author comes to the conclusion that the ritual śḏ dšr.wt was performed at the final stage of funeral rites and was intended to protect the body of the deceased and the burial place from any evil. Bowls and jars of any type could be used for the ritual, but the main requirement was the red colour. No special utensils for the “smashing the red pottery” ritual were manufactured ei-ther in the Old Kingdom, or later.

KeywordsAncient Egypt, Old Kingdom, ritual of “smashing the red pottery”, Ancient Egyptian funeral rites, Ancient Egyptian ceramics
Received21.03.2019
Publication date22.03.2019
Number of characters31160
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