Clay Tobacco Smoking Pipes from Tell el-Retaba: An Archaeological and Ethnographic Examination within the Context of Ottoman Egypt

Abstract

This paper examines a small assemblage of clay pipes discovered at Tell el-Retaba by the Polish–Slovak Archaeological Mission since 2007. Although the site is primarily associated with its Pharaonic remains, the pipes, most of which date to the first half of the nineteenth century, provide important evidence for the social history of Ottoman Egypt. The study outlines their archaeological context, typology, and tentative chronology, situating them within broader research on pipe production and use in Egypt. Particular attention is given to the role of tobacco consumption in both urban and provincial settings, highlighting its growing accessibility during the nineteenth century. By integrating archaeological, historical, and ethnographic perspectives, the article underscores the significance of tobacco smoking in rural communities, an aspect of Egyptian material culture that has so far received little attention.