ABSTRACT
Much of our knowledge of ancient Egypt is derived from tombs and temples-from the scenes carved and painted on the walls, and from the artefacts buried in the tombs. These sites, built of stone to last for eternity, are well preserved and in many cases have not been built over in more recent times. However, the towns-or settlement sites, as they are called-should also play a major role in any consideration of Egypt’s society and civilisation. Because they were built of mud-brick, and in many cases have successive levels of occupation, they have survived less well and have therefore not received the same degree of attention as the funerary and religious monuments. Nevertheless, they are of vital importance in providing a more complete picture of life in Egypt.
