On the evolution, purpose, and forms of Egyptian annals

In ancient Egypt, annals were more diverse as a genre of royal inscriptions than has mostly been appreciated. Discoveries since 1980 have almost doubled the amount of available material and broadened its range considerably. Two basic types are known: 'central' royal annals with often diverse content; and temple annals that recorded royal donations to particular institutions. 'Commemorative scarabs' of Amenhotep III may also belong with annals. Annal inscriptions related to underlying records, kept on papyrus or leather, in various ways; the source documents were probably not unitary in type or in content. The genre of annals may have been the most ancient and prestigious of royal inscription types. Although not discursive in form, annals display a strong sense of history and ideology. Their content may have been disseminated far beyond the restricted contexts in which surviving examples were set up