The aim of the present thesis is translation, detailed analysis and interpretation of the Coffin Texts of the Late-period tomb of Iufaa at Abusir. The corpus of these texts is unique, because except for a few text sequences, which were common in the Late Period, there are texts that are not preserved elsewhere in the Late Period and sometimes only exist in highly fragmentary Middle Kingdom versions. The Coffin Texts found on Iufaa's outer sarcophagus and on the walls of his burial chamber consist only of such uncommon texts. Some of these are also placed on the inner sarcophagus, whereall theremaining Coffin Texts spells are also located. The thesis presents a translation and analysis of the individual texts, focusing on their development, tradition and changes between the Middle Kingdom and the Late Period, including commentaries on grammar and language use as well as on the content. Iufaa's versions of these texts significantly contribute to our understanding and interpretation of some Coffin Texts spells and present a wider view on Egyptian religious texts and their interpretation, as well as on the textual transmission and work of Egyptian priests and scribes themselves.

La thèse propose une étude de l’architecture navale égyptienne de la Basse Époque (722-332 avant J.C.). Les vestiges iconographiques, épigraphiques et archéologiques existant sur ce sujet sont très maigres. Ainsi les recherches proposées se fondent principalement sur des nouvelles données archéologiques. Les fouilles menées par l’Institut d’Archéologie Sous-Marine (IEASM) en Égypte ont permis de découvrir plus de soixante bateaux datés du XIe au Ier s. av. J.-C dans les ports et les canaux de la ville engloutie de Thônis-Héracléion. En excellent état de conservation, il s’agit de la plus grande accumulation des bateaux antiques jamais retrouvés et au moins dix-huit d’entre eux sont datables de la Basse Epoque. La construction du bateau 17, qui constitue le sujet principal de la thèse, a été étudiée pendant trois saisons des fouilles (2009-2011). Le volume des nouvelles informations acquises est considérable et permet non seulement d’analyser en détail la construction du bateau en question mais aussi de tirer les conclusions plus générales concernant les principes et les méthodes de l’architecture navale en Egypte caractéristiques de cette époque. Plusieurs décisions techniques restent uniques à la tradition d’architecture navale égyptienne ainsi que l’est le choix d’essences locales pour la construction. Les traits de construction analysés dans la thèse sont systématiquement comparés aux documents iconographiques, épigraphiques et archéologiques disponibles. Il faut souligner l’importance de la description du bateau égyptien « baris » par Hérodote (« Histoires » II.96, env. 450 av. J.-C.) qui correspond bien à la construction du bateau 17 d’Héracleion. La première version du modèle 3D de ce bateau permet d’évaluer ses capacités techniques principales. La thèse proposera une comparaison entre le génie maritime égyptien de la Basse Epoque et ceux de la Méditerranée contemporaine. / The thesis is devoted to the study of Ancient Egyptian boatbuilding during the Late Period (722-332 BC). Iconographic, epigraphic and archaeological evidence on the subject being so scarce, the thesis is based mainly on a recently acquired archaeological data. Underwater excavations by the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) in Egypt allowed locating more than sixty ships dating from the 11th to 1st century BC in the harbour area and channels of the submerged city of Thonis-Heracleion. At least eighteen of these well-preserved ships are dated to the Late Period. The construction of ship 17 that has been studied during three excavation seasons (2009-2011) constitutes the main subject of current thesis. The considerable volume of new data allows not only to consider in detail the construction of the ship in question but also to propose several general conclusions on the constructional principles and methods characteristic to the Late Period. Many of these are unique to the Ancient Egyptian boatbuilding tradition as is the choice of local wood species for the construction. New archaeological data is compared throughout the research to existing iconographic, epigraphic and archaeological evidence. It is necessary to underline the importance of the description by Herodotus (“Histories” II.96, c.450 BC) of the local Egyptian ship “baris” as it corresponds well to the construction of ship 17. First version of the three-dimensional model of this ship allows estimating its major technical characteristics. The thesis proposes a comparison between the Late Egyptian and contemporary shipbuilding traditions of the Mediterranean.