Death In Dier El-Medina Analysis

Ancient Egyptian Mythology
Shih S. (1997-2000). Death in Deir El- Medina: A psychological assessment. JSSEA 27, P62-78
In Shih article, death in Dier El-Medina: a physiological assessment, he offers a unique perspective on how funerary practices and beliefs by modern standards were psychologically functional as part of the process of mourning. He makes use of the archeological records to figure out the pattern in which the funeral practices are carried out, so as to assess death under a psychology lens. Due to this assessment, Shih argues that the findings of other authors are wrong in the assessment of Egyptians as being preoccupied with death.
Shih’s article begins by following a progressive manner of mourning from the period of death of
Firstly, we see a comparison between the social cohesion present in the modern society as compared to the Egyptian society. The Dier El- Medinas are characterized by their strong ties, similar social status and low dispersion rates which provides enables them to provide comforting support to the mourners all year round. Whereas, support in the modern society is not as present due to its weak social network, high dispersion rates and loose family. The support from this two kinds of families would have established different kinds of responses form the mourners.
Secondly, Shih makes his point using the notion of the accommodation of children in the funerals and death rites. We see that, In this ancient community, the children were exposed to death at an early stage to provide an early understanding of how to cope with death and grief. As a result they will be able to deal with the uncommon process of mourning in way that benefits them and the society. Whereas, in the western society, the children are isolated from the death in the community as a result of their lack of extended family and increased mobility. They are not knowledgeable about the dying process as a child so therefore as an adult, they may be unable to deal with grief when a loved one
Although because they are people from a time well passed they, should be treated differently as a unique people with different cultures and tradition. Analysing the Dier El-Medinas through the eyes of the eyes of the Westerners takes away from the mystery associated with them. This article is an interesting read and it is to be reads by scholars interested in the contrast and similarities in mourning in two different eras. An examination of the social, cultural, spiritual and psychological motivations is