The Workman’s Progress

Studies in the Village of Deir el-Medina and Other Documents from Western Thebes in Honour of Rob Demarée

Edited by B.J.J. Haring Edited by O.E. Kaper Edited by R. van Walsem

Book cover: The Workman’s Progress

Extent: 346 pages

Publisher: Peeters Publishers

Subjects: Ancient Egypt

Series: Egyptologische Uitgaven - Egyptological Publications

Series volume number: 28

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(April 2014)

ISBN: 9789042931237

Price: $74.00

On back order

This book contains twenty-two papers collected in honor of Robert J. Demaree by his friends and colleagues. Because of his expertise in the area of Western Thebes and ostraca of the village of Deir el-Medina in particular, the contributors have sought to address those topics in particular. Central theme of the Festschrift is the community of workmen of Deir el-Medina, which is investigated from many different angles. The papers discuss the documentary texts from the village, either written in graffiti, on papyri or on ostraca, but also aspects of the work in the Valley of the Kings, the workmen’s use of oil, birthing beds, coffins, stelae as well as their religious beliefs and behavior. The volume thus sheds new light on the workmen’s community, as well as on the area of Western Thebes in more general terms.


This book contains twenty-two papers collected in honour of Robert J. Demaree by his friends and colleagues. Because of his expertise in the area of Western Thebes and ostraca of the village of Deir el-Medina in particular, the contributors have sought to address those topics in particular. Central theme of the Festschrift is the community of workmen of Deir el-Medina, which is investigated from many different angles. The papers discuss the documentary texts from the village, either written in graffiti, on papyri or on ostraca, but also aspects of the work in the Valley of the Kings, the workmen’s use of oil, birthing beds, coffins, stelae as well as their religious beliefs and behaviour. The volume thus sheds new light on the workmen’s community, as well as on the area of Western Thebes in more general terms. The volume is a token of gratitude from the Leiden University department of Egyptology for Rob’s much appreciated contribution to its teaching programme, as well as a tribute by colleagues worldwide who have worked with him, also in fieldwork projects in Egypt.

  • Edited by B.J.J. Haring
  • Edited by O.E. Kaper
  • Edited by R. van Walsem