State Formation in Egypt: Chronology and Society

by Toby Wilkinson

This study, the focus of which is the transitional period from late Predynastic to early Dynastic times, seeks to establish a reliable and refined framework of local chronologies, for the purpose of investigating the complex socio-economic changes which took place. It also seeks to examine the origins of the trend towards political unification of the country. With reference to mortuary data, a full explanation is offered of the techniques of seriation and statistical analysis, and typological criteria as applied to seven cemeteries in the Nile valley. Wilkinson supplies a summary of recent advances in understanding the evidence uncovered, and the issues left to be pursued. Controls are presented to chart alongside the principal ceramic phases, and appendices give details of the pottery groups employed. An extended essay in Part 5 completes the picture by discussing Delta communities of some significance just lately brought to light.

122 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1996

About the author

Dr Toby Wilkinson joined the International Strategy Office in July 2011, working with the Pro Vice Chancellor (Jennifer Barnes) to support the schools, faculties and departments in their international engagements, and to develop the University's international strategy, particularly with regard to research collaborations and relationships with the EU, US, India and China. Prior to this, Dr Wilkinson was the Development Director at Clare College as well as Chairman of Cambridge Colleges Development Group.

As an acknowledged expert on ancient Egyptian civilisation and one of the leading Egyptologists of his generation, Toby Wilkinson has lectured around the world. He has excavated at the Egyptian sites of Buto and Memphis. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Egyptian History and has broadcast on radio and television in the UK and abroad, including BBC’s Horizon and Channel 4’s Private Lives of the Pharaohs, and was the consultant for the BBC’s award-winning documentary on the building of the Great Pyramid.

Upon graduating from the University of Cambridge he received the University’s Thomas Mulvey Prize and was elected to the prestigious Lady Wallis Budge Junior Research Fellowship in Egyptology. He is a Fellow of Clare College, University of Cambridge and an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Durham.