Changes in personal religious action in domestic contexts from the early new kingdom until the 20th dynasty. A comparative study on the impact of the amarna period

Abstract

This Doctoral Dissertation contains a diachronic and comparative study of the different archaeological structures and objects in domestic contexts related to the so-called personal religion for specific archaeological sites among which, Tell el Amarna and Deir el-Medina constitute key examples. Through comparative descriptions and analyses, several indicators such as the location, association, iconography, use and function of artefacts and structures are studied. The main aim of this study is to determine whether through the diachronic and comparative analysis for pre-Amarna, Amarna and post-Amarna stages, a continuum in the religious practices (and the archaeological record) can be traced or if, on the contrary, the Amarna period implied a neat division and alterations in private personal religious actions. Similarly, this research embraces other problems, subject to current debate, associated with the study of religious practices in domestic contexts since the early New Kingdom until the end of this period related to the communication with the divine and the interaction with the dead. In addition, early evidence of personal religious practices for the discussion on the topic is addressed when is appropriate in order to provide further parallel material for comparisons.