Comparing images, bodies, and ontologies in ancient Egypt and in Egyptology

Abstract

Anthropological concepts of lateral and frontal comparison are used to examine how and why both ancient Egyptians and Egyptologists make comparisons when discussing ancient Egyptian religion, as well as what it is they compare. The case studies used in the article centre on relationships between images and bodies. These relationships are based in different ontologies and are structured by different discursive frameworks. Conceiving image and body as intensities rather than categories suggests ways in which Egyptology may engage more closely with anthropological frameworks and perhaps help to refine them.