Teeter, E. 2003. Scarabs, scaraboids, seals, and seal impressions from Medinet Habu, with post–Pharaonic seals and seal Impressions by T.G. Wilfong. – Chicago, University of Chicago Press (Oriental Institute 118)

Abstract

With this volume Emily Teeter begins the invaluable work of processing the Medinet Habu excavations conducted by the Oriental Institute in ‘Scarabs, scaraboids, seals, and seal impressions from Medinet Habu’. Resurrecting the excavation reports of Uvo Hölscher and Rudolph Anthes (Teeter, 1994), she begins the task of publishing the small glyptic finds found at the site.

The introduction to the volume is an excellent synthesis of Medinet Habu’s very interesting excavation history. The complicated stratigraphy, further convoluted by sebakh digging and a long site history, is described providing a chronological synthesis of the location and thus a connection to the small finds. Teeter also lists and describes the many features in the site where small glyptic finds were recovered. This volume is therefore not only a catalogue of scarabs, seals and sealings, but also a useful synthesis of excavation reports as well as an analysis of the early 20^th century archaeological methodology. Teeter must cope with all of the shortcomings of early 20^th century archaeology. The objects are now in three separate locations (The Cairo Museum, The Oriental Institute, and Luxor West Bank storage magazines). Not all of the small finds were sketched by archaeologists, nor were all of the find spots recorded. Many of the finds were transferred into the Object Register by graphite rubbings rather than drawings. Read more...