Ship Timber and the Reuse of Wood in Ancient Egypt

TLDR: In this article, the modes, preferences and implications of wood use, specifically reuse, in Egypt's Pharaonic Period, using ship timber as the illustrative example, are explored.

Abstract: Reuse of materials in ancient Egypt is neither a new nor novel concept. The ancient Egyptians reused a variety of materials and certainly any resource that had spiritual, ideological, or economic value that was available to them. Yet, reuse of certain raw materials has not been thoroughly examined, notably timber. This manuscript explores the modes, preferences and implications of wood use, specifically reuse, in Egypt’s Pharaonic Period, using ship timber as the illustrative example. This synthesis suggests specific preferences for commodity consumption and conservation existed, revealing cultural and behavioral trends.