From the time of the Scorpion at least the King was depicted as a superhuman figure, towering over mortals, utterly splendid and awesome. The early maceheads dating from Scorpion s and Narmer s reigns, and the ivory labels of their immediate successors show ceremonies already highly developed and complex in form. The site is being excavated by Nancy Lovell , a Canadian anthropologist interested in the development of social stratification in ancient Egyptian society. The site is located 60 miles east of Cairo on the edge of the Nile Delta. A series of tombs has been found at Tell Hassan Daoud that provide the earliest evidence of social stratification in ancient Egypt.
Some tombs have a lot of grave goods indicative of wealth and social status.
Other tombs are nothing more than simple pits. Most of the burials were placed on their left side with their knees drawn up and their heads facing north. Grave goods found with the high status burials include pots, plates, bases, beads, bracelets, and cosmetic holders. Lovell indicates the craftsmanship displayed by the grave goods is exceptional quality. Some vessels are carved from alabaster and at least one platter is carved from blue-gray schist.