An Experimental Approach to Ancient Egyptian Metalworking: The Mysteries of the Sesheshet

Abstract

Our research represents a case study in ancient metalworking to illuminate the challenges, processes, and both human and material agency behind these objects. We focus on copper alloy Hathoric loop sistra since these musical instruments are steeped in ritual and mythological connections to metalworking. Our work represents the early stages of our ongoing investigations into the materiality of metal production in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians never recorded any detailed description of craft production. While many scholars have suggested the use of lost wax casting in Egyptian metal working, we argue that this conclusion not only ignores significant technical obstacles, but overlooks the enigmatic complexities of craft production scenes in Egyptian art. We argue that these scenes are heavily imbued with religious connotations and therefore should not be read literally as some scholars have done in the past.

Keywords

• metallurgy
• copper
• music and musical instruments
• religion
• chalcolithic
• egypt