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  • © 2014

Ancient Egyptian Beads

Authors:

  • Presents a detailed analysis and thorough study of the unique collection of ancient Egyptian beads in the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London

  • Based on the Ph.D dissertation written by pioneering Chinese archaeologist Xia Nai when he studied in London College University some 70 years ago

  • Proposes a new classification system, which affords a better basis for the further advancement of the study of this subject

  • Represents a crucial and long-awaited advance in archaeology, not only for Egypt but for the study of the past across Africa and beyond

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (23 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. Introduction

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Archaeological Value of Beads

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 3-6
    3. Scope of the Study

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 7-8
    4. Method of Registration

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 9-12
    5. Mode of Treatment

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 13-15
  3. Technical Methods of Bead-Making

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 21-21
    2. Glass Beads

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 23-26
    3. Stone Beads

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 27-36
    4. Beads of Pasty Materials

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 37-41
    5. Metal Beads

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 43-46
    6. Beads of Miscellaneous Materials

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 47-49
  4. Classification and Corpus

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 51-51
    2. Principle of Classification

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 53-56
    3. A New Classification

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 57-58
    4. Principle of a Corpus

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 59-64
    5. A New Corpus

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 65-70
  5. Chronological Survey

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 71-72
    2. Prehistoric Period

      • Nai Xia
      Pages 73-81

About this book

This book presents a detailed analysis and thorough study of the unique collection of Ancient Egyptian beads in the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London.

The book first discusses the archaeological value of beads and the method employed in the study of them, especially emphasizing the importance of the technique of bead-making for dating purposes. It then examines and evaluates various schemes for the classification of beads. The book goes on to propose a new classification system and works out a comprehensive corpus of beads with the aid of sixteen plates.

Next, the book features a chronological survey that details the material, typology (including the technical peculiarities), use, arrangement and pictorial representation of beads throughout the nine divisions or periods of Ancient Egyptian history. This survey points out the characteristics of each period as well any contact Egypt may have experienced with foreign countries as shown by the beads. It also corrects much wrong identifications of materials and mistaken datings.

This book is based on the Ph.D dissertation written by pioneering Chinese archaeologist Xia Nai when he studied in London College University some 70 years ago and who had direct access to considerable firsthand resources at the forefront of Egyptology research. It represents a crucial and long-awaited advance in archaeology, not only for Egypt but for the study of the past across Africa and beyond.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China

    Nai Xia

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Ancient Egyptian Beads

  • Authors: Nai Xia

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54868-0

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Social Sciences Academic Press(China) and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-642-54867-3Published: 20 June 2014

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-662-52536-4Published: 04 May 2017

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-642-54868-0Published: 03 June 2014

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIII, 173

  • Number of Illustrations: 20 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Archaeology

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access