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Art, Religion, and Death in Old, Middle and Late Kingdom Egypt. While Egypt's ancient history passes through many unique periods, it is perhaps the Old, Middle, and Late Kingdoms which garner the greatest attention as they demonstrate the greatest changes in growth and development, and transition of art, culture, and religion. The Old Kingdom marked the period in which the majority of Egypt's pyramids were constructed, a development of a complex military state, and the beginnings of outside trade. The Middle Kingdom, marked as much for political stability as for massive infrastructure construction, a great and lasting peace, and the blossoming of art and architecture, was also a time of great expansion and political growth. The Late Kingdom was a time of securing borders, establishing complex internal political systems, greater complexities in art and architecture, and further changes in religious practices and thought. It is the purpose of this paper to examine art, religion, and funerary practices in each of these ages and each cultural element was shaped by the particular forces of their respective ages.
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