The Middle Predynastic Period in Egypt dates to 4000 B.C.E. This time
period is also referred to as the Gerzean Period or the Naqada Period. It is
most recognized by the growing influence of the peoples of the north over those
of the South, a prelude to what is to come in the late pre-dynastic period. The
two main groups were the Amratian and the Gerzean. The greatest difference that
can be seen among these people is in their ceramic industry. The Amratian
pottery had some decoration, but its main purpose was functional.
Gerzean pottery was decorated
with geometric shapes and realistic animals. Decoration of ceramic vessels went
through a dual evolution that began to include geometric motifs inspired by
plant forms and painted or incised depictions of animals and shapes, with the
appearance of thereomephic vessels. The art of clay-working had already reached
its peak, particularly in the painted terracotta female "dancers"
with raised arms.
Animals such as ostriches and ibexes were found on their pottery, this lead some to speculate that the Gerzean were hunting in the sub-desert, because these animals are not found in the Nile Valley. In this period we also find the first representations of gods. Most of this was through their art on pottery. The gods were depicted as riding in boats. Some believe that this could be only records of visits from chieftains and records of battles. However these items were placed with the dead, which suggests that they were sacred.
Changes in funerary practices among the
Gerzean were found in this period. People were found buried in the fetal
position and accompanied by sacred items and food. Children were now buried in
cemeteries outside the villages instead of under the floor of their dwelling.
We also begin to see tomb building in this era. The changes of burial customs
have lead us to believe that this was a time of belief in the concept of life
after death. The Amratian culture was not as elaborate with their burial
practices; their dead were usually buried in a small pit with a skin cover over
it.
The appearance of historical architectural forms, "models" that the deceased took with him into the afterlife, have revealed the existence of houses and mud-brick enclosure walls. This suggests that the concept of the Egyptian town and urban planning can be traced back as far as the Amatian (Naqada I) Phase.
REFERENCES:
Adams, Barbara. Pre-Dynastic Egypt. Lubrecht and Cramer, Ltd. New York. 1988 Bains, John. Atlas of Ancient Egypt. Facts on File inc. 1980Greenblatt, Miriam. Hatshepsut and Ancient Egypt. Marshall Cavendish Inc.
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