Social Identity at the Anubieion: A Reanalysis

The Anubieion, an Egyptian temple complex of the Ptolemaic period located in the Memphite necropolis (Saqqara) near Cairo, is unusual in that both archaeological and textual evidence survives for this site. This article presents a reanalysis of the archaeological remains in light of the information provided by textual sources relating to, and originating from, this temple complex, arguing for the importance of combining both types of evidence for a more complete understanding of contexts. The question of how a person becomes identified with an object-type is also addressed in this case study, highlighting the dangers of such gender-based assumptions and the importance of accounting for site variability in the interpretation of archaeological remains and material culture.