Dir.: Dr Gema Menéndez
gmenendez@geo.uned.es
This project is dedicated to the identification and analysis of workshops responsible for the production of stelae at Deir el-Medina, the settlement of craftsmen who worked on the royal tombs. While the stelae themselves have long been studied for their religious and social content, this research focuses on the artisans behind their creation, aiming to trace patterns of production, stylistic signatures, and workshop organization within the village.
The study involves a comparative analysis of a selected corpus of stelae based on criteria such as carving techniques, iconographic conventions, and stylistic features. By identifying recurring motifs, proportions, hieroglyphic styles, and material use, we aim to distinguish the hands or groups of craftsmen involved, potentially attributing stelae to specific workshops or even individual artisans.
This project contributes to our understanding of the internal organization of artisan labor at Deir el-Medina, not only in the royal necropolis but also in private religious and commemorative art. It sheds light on the economy of artistic production, the transmission of stylistic traditions, and the professional identity of these skilled workers.
theban necropolis research 