With the overall topic Tradition and Transformation in Ancient Egypt we
tried to invite scholars working in different fields to discuss
(dis)continuity of traditions and consequent cultural transformation.
The main aim was to stimulate research and an exchange of ideas and to
build bridges for a variety of disciplines within Egyptology. The first
impression given by the ancient Egyptian culture is that of continuity
and long-lasting stability. In fact, we can observe very different kinds
of transformation processes alongside unbroken tradition. These changes
are visible in all areas of society: politics, art, language, economy,
religion, etc. This volume gives an insight into the research presented
and the results of various discussions afterwards. In the study of
ancient cultures and civilizations, the questions about what remains and
what is changing are always of great importance. It is the attempt to
get a deeper understanding of the life and thinking of our ancestors.
Cultural changes are dynamic processes and can be caused by developments
in technology, political and religious ideas or substantial experiences
with diverse societies or environmental factors. Because of this sheer
panoply of possible causes, one seeks to understand transformation in
ancient Egypt by asking a series of essential questions: what is the
nature of a particular change, when and where did it come about, through
what agency, for what purpose, which parts of Egyptian society did it
affect, and how lasting were its consequences? In order to answer these
questions, it is necessary to involve as many different cultural aspects
as possible.
