The ‘fragmented body’ theory in Egyptology

An ontological framework with a shadow side

Abstract

This paper takes as its point of departure the theory that the ancient Egyptian lived body was conceptualised as a 'fragmented' entity, a 'Gliederpuppe [jointed doll]'. The idea was proposed by Emma Brunner-Traut in 1988 in relation to her earlier work on 'aspective', the still dominant theory of Egyptian visual representation. Factors potentially influencing the inception, development, and impact of the 'fragmented body' theory are considered here. Concerning inception, the basis of the theory in various types of Egyptian cultural output and its interdisciplinary focus made it a compelling ontological framework. Regarding impact, we will see that early approval and the subsequent expansion of the theory led to a degree of longevity in scholarship, though parallel traditions might have also emerged. This success of the theory, I suggest, has to do with the fact that it attempts to account for the historical situatedness of body concepts—in other words, an ancient 'body-world'. However, a closer look at the sources reveals misleading interpretations and a comparative framework with evolutionist, even racist undertones. It thus becomes necessary to reconsider whether the 'Gliederpuppe' hypothesis has any residual value as a middle-range theory for Egyptology, whether the theory of 'aspective' on which it is based requires revision or rehabilitation, and what kind of models and methods we could use to describe the Egyptian lived body going forward. A lexical analysis of words we tend to think of as meaning 'whole', might, for instance, not be expressing that concept at all, thus requiring a reframing of 'wholeness' and 'fragmentation' in an Egyptian context.