Book Chapter

Wrapping and Tying Ancient Egyptian New Kingdom Dresses

Johnstone, Janet M., Janet M. Johnstone

2014

Overview

This chapter focuses on the practical interpretation of recreating New Kingdom dresses and has touched on other issues of importance. It examines the style of complex-wrapped dress in five variations: the basic wrap-around dress and a shawl; the complex-wrapped dress constructed from one length of cloth; the open-front dress; the late new Kingdom dressmss and shawl; the Third Intermediate to Late Period dressmss and shawl. The Egyptians used a clever wrapping and draping technique, which was achieved only by using a finely woven linen cloth that was soft and had a good drape. The complex-wrapped dress style of the Amarna period was truly a display of conspicuous consumption, flaunting layers of expensive fine linen as a manifestation of wealth and social power. The adoption of the mss and shawl dress by the people, the wealthy, and the workers alike proved to be a visual means by which they were drawn into a closer identity. This chapter presents examples of the archaeological evidence of the multiple layers of textiles, leather, wood, stone, and earth that wrap and cover an inhumation burial in Bronze Age southern Scandinavia. The wrapping perspective contrasts to an unwrapping perspective describing the removal of layers, that is, the way archaeologists encounter archaeological evidence through excavation or artefact analysis. Archaeologists have recognised clothing and costume as a prime means with which to construct social identity. Although there are many barrow burials, only a handful have well-preserved organic materials including textile, leather, and wood. Others have benefitted from modern excavation techniques and the analyses used to investigate the turf mound or barrow. All wooden coffins are hard confining layers. The stone platforms and cairns may be seen as additional wrapping for the wooden coffin. The turf barrows constructed over the coffins represent an extraordinary amount of effort on the part of the mound builders.

• Publisher: Routledge
• ISBN: 9781611328875, 161132887X