Ancient Egypt within its North-East African context

Egypt’s most direct connections were and are within the Africa where it is sited. Ancient Egypt is often seen as a civilization on the edge of the ancient Near East rather than through the more immediate lens of the regions closest to it. Recent scholarship has enhanced understanding of the African context, and it uses a more holistic perspective, with particular gains in approaches to early periods. This lecture reflects on these developments and their implications for interpreting the ancient society, for Egypt itself, for its relations with other parts of Africa, and for connections beyond, into Europe.