Smitten by Narmer: Ethnicity, economy and trade in the 4th millennium BCE Egyptian presence in the southern Levant (Palestine)

This study examines the Egyptian “colonial” presence in Early Bronze I Palestine. The emerging role of the Egyptian state in the enforcement of social and cultural boundaries is an important focus of this research. The pottery analysis in this study and review of publications has led to two main observations. First, most sites associated with this presence shows a clear mixture of both native, Egyptian styled, and “hybrid” material culture, all recovered from small-scale domestic contexts. Secondly, the distribution of these two types of material culture suggests very little spatial segregation. The gradual growth of small-scale contacts and the diffuse distribution of Egyptian material culture in and between sites suggests overlapping, fluid, and informal networks of interaction between the immigrants and locals. “Ethnic” boundaries did not play a strong role in structuring social relationships in this case. The Egyptian state played only a minor, intermittent, or ineffective role in the Southern Levant. In contrast, the emergent Egyptian state played a greater role in abruptly ending the Egyptian presence. Clear signs of royal interests in the Southern Levant (pottery inscribed with King Narmer's name) come at the close of this presence. The end of the Egyptian presence also coincides with the increasing hostility and decline of exchange ties with Egypt's other neighbor, Nubia. The close, informal interaction across Egypt's frontiers ended with the state's consolidation of power, definition and control of its borders, and monopolization of long-distance exchange ties.