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REVIEW BY ROGER FORSHAW
This volume is a collection of papers published in recognition of the retirement of Professor Steven Snape from the University of Liverpool. Over his distinguished career, Steven has pursued a diverse range of research interests and excavation projects. The title, Landscapes, underscores his work on the natural, constructed, and sacred landscapes of ancient Egypt, which has been a central focus of his scholarship. Of particular note is his fieldwork as the Director of the Liverpool University Mission to Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham. This project has attracted wide international attention due to the site’s role as a major fortress-town of the early Ramesside Period, and a significant trading post in maritime international trade in the Late Bronze Age.
Editors Glenn Godenho, Nicky Nielsen, and Ashley Cooke have compiled a collection of 24 papers showcasing the breadth of research and excavations that Steven has engaged with throughout his career. The contributors, a mix of colleagues and former students, frequently highlight his invaluable guidance and mentorship during their time at Liverpool. This volume reflects the diverse perspectives his work has inspired.
Several contributions focus on objects from Liverpool museum collections. Roland Enmarch and Huw Twiston Davies discuss an inscribed limestone fragment, tentatively suggesting it might have served as a property-marker. Ashley Cooke and Glenn Godenho examine inscribed ‘mummy bands’ belonging to Mery, the Skipper of Amun, noteworthy as they are the only such bands known to belong to a private individual. Diana Nikolova presents a study of silver coins from the reign of Ptolemy XII, revealing substantial copper debasement, an indicator of economic challenges.
Other papers address broader archaeological and cultural themes. Claire Malleson’s analysis of archaeobotanical remains from Sais reveals a greater variety of cultivated crops than at other settlements. This is especially evident during the Ramesside Period, and provides fresh insights into agricultural practices. Katherine Slinger examines the monumental landscape of Western Thebes in the aftermath of the Amarna Period, exploring connections between royal and non-royal monuments. Jennifer Cromwell examines a Coptic rental contract dating to about AD 700, detailing the lease of rooms in a house at el-Ashmunein by an individual named Zacharias. The document helps to reconstruct the layout of the house and offers insights into urban life during the early Islamic period. Angela Tooley re-evaluates Middle Kingdom truncated figurines, advocating for a culturally contextual analysis that fosters new interpretations of their function and meaning.
The volume is well-illustrated, featuring high-quality images throughout and includes photographs that highlight key moments from Steven’s career. Overall, the Festschrift presents a collection of research papers that reflects Steven’s significant contributions to Egyptology, while offering new perspectives on topics related to his areas of focus.
Landscapes: Studies in Honour of Steven Snape
ed. Glenn Godenho et al.
ABERCROMBY PRESS, 2024
ISBN 978-1-91224-622-9
HARDBACK, £64.95
