Ancient Egyptian Letters to the Dead

Julia Hsieh, Ph.D. (2019), Yale University, has published articles on topics ranging from ancient Egyptian toponyms and grammatical constructions to vessel repair. Her research interests include the evolution of the Egyptian language, comparative religion, and bioarchaeology. She is the Assistant Editor of Near Eastern Archaeology, and Campaign Director & Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Yale School of Management.

• AcknowledgementsList of FiguresAbbreviationsIntroduction1 What Are the Letters to the Dead?2 What Can We Infer from the Letters to the Dead?Part 1 The Senders1 Orality and Intertextuality1 Orality2 Intertextuality2 Where Were the Letters Composed, Performed, and Deposited?1 Geospatial Indicators2 The Use of Bowls and the mnṯꜣ.t VesselPart 2 The Recipients3 Characteristics and Abilities of the Akh1 The Akh in the Letters to the Dead2 Akh as Advocate3 Adversaries and Malevolent Akh4 Literacy in the AfterlifePart 3 Textual Analysis of the Letters to the Dead5 Transliteration, Translation, and Text Notes1 Cairo Linen2 Qau Bowl3 Chicago Jar Stand4 Letter N37375 Letter N35006 Hu Bowl7 Boston Jar Stand8 Stela of Nebetitef and the Misplaced Letter to the Dead9 Louvre Bowl10 Berlin Bowl11 Cairo Bowl12 Qubbet el-Hawa Bowl13 Papyrus Berlin 10481 and 1048214 Horhotep Ostracon15 Oxford Bowl16 Moscow BowlConclusionSupplementary TextsSummary Chart of Extant Letters to the DeadGlossaryBibliographyIndex

"This book is beautifully illustrated and includes a chart of extant letters to the dead and a glossary. All the texts quoted are translated, with full explanatory notes. While intended for specialists, it is by no means esoteric, providing us with a variety of perspectives on the ancient Egyptians."- Wilfred G.E. Watson, in The Society for Old Testament Study Book List 2022