A SET OF MODEL VESSELS IN STONE FROM THE EGYPTIAN THIRD DYNASTY NECROPOLIS OF BET KHALLAF: A PARALLEL WITH THE LEVANT AND MEDITERRANEAN.

The use of model and miniature vessels in the ancient world is common throughout history, with evident differences between cultures. Research on their possible function and meaning in numerous contexts are still ongoing, especially related to the Early Dynastic Period of Egypt, since just few sets of model vessels in stone have been recorded prior to the Fourth Dynasty. In this paper is reported a previously undocumented instance, derived from the Bet Khallaf necropolis in the Abydos region, dated to the beginning of the Third Dynasty. The paper addresses also some remarks about the possible function of stone model vessels at the beginning of the Dynastic Period of Egypt, with comparisons between other Near Eastern and Mediterranean ancient cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]