Hybridisation of an imperial encounter: Egypt and the Wadi Gaza in the Late Bronze Age

Massafra, Angela (2018) Hybridisation of an imperial encounter: Egypt and the Wadi Gaza in the Late Bronze Age. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Processes of culture contact have been approached in traditional studies on early empires through unilateral perspectives such as acculturation studies and World System theories. Over the past decades, however, a new scepticism of these dominant narratives has emerged. The Wadi Gaza area during the period of Egyptian New Kingdom imperialism provides a to-date little utilised analytical arena in which to explore the challenges and opportunities of a different approach. This research aims to critically examine the imperial encounter between Egypt and the Gaza area, revaluating its timeframe and changing nature, and highlighting differences from previous interpretations of Egyptian imperial narrative.
I approach these issues using a conceptual framework based on postcolonial concepts of hybridisation and cultural fluidity, which sees contact between cultures as a constant negotiation. The aims are addressed through a multiscalar approach, focusing on the regional scale, first, and on two site-specific case studies, Tell el-ᶜAjjul and Tell el-Farᶜah (South), then. I investigated these case studies through the analysis of their major “Egyptianizing” features alongside significant local material evidence. I took into account architecture, funerary customs, and pottery, examining the contribution of both cultures, Egyptian and Canaanite, in the creation of objects and practices.
The results of this research demonstrate that a hybridisation perspective provides a new and more balanced account of the cultural dynamics resulting from the Egypto-Canaanite encounter and its negotiation. Liberated from the restraints of a literal interpretation of Egyptian sources, this nuanced interpretation casts new light on the material evidence, and provides fresh avenues for research on cultural encounters and early empires.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Wadi Gaza, Egypt, hybridisation, Late Bronze Age, early empires, pottery, material culture.
• Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
• Supervisor's Name: Glatz, Dr. Claudia and Given, Dr. Michael
• Date of Award: 2018
• Depositing User: Ms Angela Massafra
• Unique ID: glathesis:2018-30932
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 29 Oct 2018 13:50
• Last Modified: 24 Jan 2019 11:21
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/30932