Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

β€œProcessional Way of the Sphinxes”

This display of sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ at the Louvre is referred to as the β€œProcessional Way of the Sphinxes” and it contains six 𓏿 sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ dated to the later period of Egyptian history (no exact date is known but inferences have been made and will be mentioned as you read further).

It is thought that these limestone sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ lined the processional way to the Serapis Temple at Saqqara (also known as the β€œSerapeum of Saqqara”). This temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was originally the burial place for sacred bulls (it was believed that the bulls were representations of the god π“ŠΉ Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±). Fun fact: Saqqara is the modern name π“‚‹π“ˆ– for the area, but the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ called it Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–!

This area has quite a history because construction started in c. 1400 B.C.E. (New Kingdom), and continued through to the end of the Ptolemaic Period/end of Cleopatra VII’s π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 rule (c. 31 B.C.E.). The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰, during Ptolemaic rule, then was dedicated to the cult of Serapis (the Greco-Egyptian deity of the sun 𓇳𓏀).

So who built 𓐍𓂀𓅱𓋴𓀧 these magnificent sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦? There are two theories: it’s possible that the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Nectanbo I 𓇳𓆣𓂓 of the 30th Dynasty had over 600 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ built to line the processional way to the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰. However, some historians think that the sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ were built by Ptolemy I π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄ as he changed the area to be dedicated to Serapis. The reasoning for this is that the sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ share artistic features of the Ptolemaic Period, and they also don’t have inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ on them, which is also typical of Ptolemaic objects. We will probably never know!

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Keeping a Person’s Name Alive

π“ˆ–π“―π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“― – Nonno ❀️

This was my Christmas gift to myself this year – it is a bracelet 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛 that says Nonno π“ˆ–π“―π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“― in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. I can now carry his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– with me every day. I love this bracelet 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛 and I’m so happy I was able to have it made for myself and for my sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ too.

Talking about my Nonno π“ˆ–π“―π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“― and saying his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is so important to me. Wearing his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– has been so important to me – Nonno would not have been happy with me getting a tattoo (πŸ˜‚) so this bracelet 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛 is perfect. My students know all about Nonno π“ˆ–π“―π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“― too and I will talk about him any chance I get to anyone who will listen! I want everyone to know who he was and what an absolutely incredible person he was.

I have likened this account to a Stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ in the past, but I also truly believe in the Egyptian cultural aspect of the importance of a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and it being essential to them living on. Me wearing his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, speaking his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and writing about him is how I help my Nonno to live on even if he isn’t here with me presently (which really really hurts – the grief has been unimaginable).

In ancient Egyptian culture, a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was considered the most essential part of the person because the other four 𓏽 elements could not exist without the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. If a person wanted to survive after death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, not only was mummification essential, but even more so was preserving the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. If a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was removed from a monument or forgotten, it meant that the person was deprived of their entire existence.

I don’t want my Nonno’s name to ever be forgotten. Thank you all for listening to me and helping me to have Nonno’s name live on!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Husband and Wife

This is a beautiful π“„€ limestone statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of husband π“‰”π“„Ώπ“‡Œπ“‚Ίπ“€€ and wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 that is dated to the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom). The names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the people depicted are not preserved in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that adorn the back of the statue, π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ but the funerary prayers are preserved.

It is assumed that these types of statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ are of husband π“‰”π“„Ώπ“‡Œπ“‚Ίπ“€€ and wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐, even though it’s not explicitly stated in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ because the family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 was held in such high regard in Egyptian culture. This is why entire families π“‚§π“ˆ–π“Œπ“π“…±π“€€π“Έπ“Έπ“Έ can be found buried in the same tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ – the family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 was to stay together π“ˆ–π“Š— forever 𓆖!!

Here are some fun facts about marriage in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Marriages were not arranged/forced in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–; it was a personal choice between the couple! Also, there seems to be no official marriage ceremony; the couple decided they wanted to be together π“ˆ–π“Š— and let their friends and family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 know! The marriage seems to become β€œofficial” with a contract that allowed for the transfer of property. Divorce was a very common occurrence as was having four 𓏽 to seven 𓐀 children π“π“‡Œπ“€•π“ͺ!

Though the symbol β€œ 𓏦” is usually used to denote plural words, it is used in the singular term family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 because there are multiple members in a single family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 group! Instead, the Egyptians had a different word to represent multiple family groups (in English, families β€œπ“‚§π“ˆ–π“Œπ“π“…±π“€€π“Έπ“Έπ“Έβ€) and β€œπ“Έπ“Έπ“Έβ€ is used the pluralize it!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Granite Statue of Hatshepsut and its Hieroglyphs

Since I can’t go too long without talking about Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, let’s talk about this granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of her!

She is depicted in female attire, but is also wearing the nemes head cloth π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄, which is usually reserved only for the reigning pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 to wear! Once again, this imagery 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ wanted to be seen as a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, not be seen as a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€.

Her hands 𓂝𓏦 are flat on her lap, which means that this statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ was probably put inside the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ and meant to receive offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦. This statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ was found in multiple pieces during excavations at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐, and then pieced back together.

Let’s look at the hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ inscription (only the top part of it can be seen – the other half is too destroyed for me to finish translating):

π“„€π“ŠΉπ“ – β€œPerfect goddess”
𓇳𓁦𓂓 – β€œMaatkare” (Hatshepsut’s throne name)

So the inscription reads β€œPerfect goddess, Maatkare.”

If Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ was referring to herself as a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ or trying to be a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€, the inscription would read like this:

π“„€π“ŠΉ(𓇳𓁦𓂓) – β€œPerfect god, Maatkare.”

The addition of the β€œπ“β€ makes the word the feminine version – β€œπ“ŠΉ -God” becomes β€œ π“ŠΉπ“ – Goddess.” So as you can see, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is very much referring to herself as a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ – it’s in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! There are too many examples of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ being referred to as a female in writing to make the rash conclusion that she was β€œtrying to be a man.”

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Egyptian Artifacts

False Door of Sekemhathor

This is a beautiful π“„€ example of a False Door from the reign of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Userkaf π“…±π“„Šπ“‹΄π“‚“π“†‘ (5th Dynasty). This False Door was from the west 𓋀𓏏𓏭 wall of a mastaba tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– that belonged to Nikauhor and his wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 Sekemhathor π“‰‘π“‹΄π“Œ‚π“π“…“. Nikauhor was a judge and a priest π“ŠΉπ“› in Userkaf’s π“…±π“„Šπ“‹΄π“‚“π“†‘ sun temple while Sekemhathor π“‰‘π“‹΄π“Œ‚π“π“…“ was a priestess π“ŠΉπ“›π“ of Hathor 𓉑 and Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­.

This specific false door pictured belonged to Sekemhathor π“‰‘π“‹΄π“Œ‚π“π“…“ and images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of the couple are seen on either opening of the false door (Nikauhor had his own false door). These images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 are expertly carved in raised relief and I wish I could have gotten more detailed photos 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 but the glass and reflection from the lights makes it hard to do that. We know this particular false door belonged to Sekemhathor π“‰‘π“‹΄π“Œ‚π“π“…“ specifically because her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written on the arch above the opening to the door. It is common practice to have the deceased’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– above the door!

False Doors are an extremely important part of ancient Egyptian funerary practices. False Doors served as ways for the living relatives to make offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. The False Door acted as a link between the land of the living and the land of the dead. The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the soul π“‚“ of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 could travel between the two lands 𓇿𓇿 through the False Door. They are also known as β€œka π“‚“ doors” or β€œsoul π“‚“ doors.”

False Doors were usually located on the western 𓋀𓏏𓏭 walls of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ because the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ is associated with the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. The west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ is associated with the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 because the sun 𓇳𓏺 sets in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – when Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 makes his daily journey across the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯, sunset 𓇋𓐍𓐍𓅱𓇢 is representative of his death.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amulet Necklace

This little string of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ is a necklace that was either worn by a living person or a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! No matter who was wearing it, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ had the same function: to invoke magical protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the wearer! Both rich and poor people had amulets, but the rich had higher quality ones.

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were first used in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the pre-dynastic period and usually took the shape of animals. As the Egyptian civilization and their religious beliefs evolved, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ started to represent gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“, everyday objects, hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰, and many other things!

The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the type of magic that an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† possessed was based off of its shape! For example, an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† could invoke the power of a god π“ŠΉ that it was representative of! You can see the Eye of Horus π“‚€ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, and that was used for protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ by both the living and the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱!

I do not know the date of the amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, and I actually couldn’t find this piece in Petrie’s online catalogue when I went to look it up! I love amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ and I find this necklace to be very charming! I want one like it because of β€œhow beautiful it is 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑.”

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

False Door of Neferiu

This is another beautiful π“„€ example of a False Door from the Old Kingdom or First Intermediate Period (8th-11th Dynasty). This False Door belonged to the Royal Sealer 𓅓𓂋𓋩𓏏 Neferiu π“„€π“‚»π“…±. A Royal Sealer 𓅓𓂋𓋩𓏏 had a job similar to that of a treasurer 𓋨𓅱!

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

This is the top line of text:
π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š–π“‰“π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“π“„ͺπ“…±π“„€π“‚»π“…±

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ – an offering the king gives
π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris
π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š– – Lord of Djedu
𓉓 – a voice offering
π“‚‹ – before
π“ˆ– – to/for
𓐍π“„ͺπ“…± – the revered
π“„€π“‚»π“…±- Neferiu

All together the inscription reads: β€œAn offering the King gives Osiris, Lord of Djedu, a voice offering before and to the revered Neferiu.”

This is the second line of text:
π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“ƒ£π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Άπ“…±π“π“ π“‰“π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“„€π“‚»π“…±

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ – an offering the king gives
𓃣 – Anubis
π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘ – upon his mountain
𓏢𓅱𓏏𓐏 – in the mummy wrappings
𓉓 – a voice offering
π“‚‹ – before
π“ˆ– – to/for
π“„€π“‚»π“…± – Neferiu

All together the inscription reads: β€œAn offering the king gives Anubis, Upon His Mountain, in the mummy wrappings, a voice offering before and to Neferiu.”

These two 𓏻 inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ are very common and are the standard β€œoffering formula” (with some minor variations) that are used in many False Doors and Stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ. In the second picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, I zoomed in on the part with Anubis 𓃣 because he is my favorite and I always get excited when I see his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! Just the determinative symbol for Anubis 𓃣 instead of his full name (π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣) was used in this inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ probably due to a lack of space!

Now let’s read the text that is in the middle panel of the false door! These two 𓏻 pieces of text basically say what a great person Neferiu π“„€π“‚»π“…± was and it also lists all of the wonderful things he did in his life! I did not write out all of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ this time because it was too long! Please enjoy the translation though!

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This is the translation of the inscription on the left side: β€œI gave bread 𓏏𓏐 to the hungry π“Ž›π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“…©π“€ and clothes π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“…±π“‹³π“¦ to the π“ˆ– naked π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“‡Œπ“‹³π“€. I drove the boatless in my boat. I gave property to someone I knew as well as to the one I did not. The seal-bearer 𓋨𓅱 of the King of Lower Egypt 𓆀, the sole companion, the revered π“„ͺ𓐍 Neferiu π“„€π“‚»π“…±.”

This is the text on the right side: β€œO the living π“‡‹π“€žπ“‹Ή, those who are upon the Earth 𓇾, who love life π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“, I gave assistance to those in the year π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“†³π“π“€ of hardship. I acted mightily with my strong arm in order to endure among my children. It is Iqer* who did it that I might become greater than the great π“…©π“‚‹ ones and the noblemen…of my entire town, who bore witness to me.”
*Iqer is a local deity or the name of a place near Dendera

On the bottom, next to Neferiu π“„€π“‚»π“…± and his wife π“ˆŸπ“ on both sides the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ say:
π“ˆŸπ“π“ŒΈπ“‚‹π“π“†‘π“Œ‰π“ƒ€π“†“π“ or β€œHis 𓆑 beloved π“ŒΈπ“‚‹ wife π“ˆŸπ“ Wedjbet π“ˆŸπ“.”

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amulets at the British Museum

The ancient Egyptians used amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ a lot in both their daily life and afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! No matter who was wearing it, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ had the same function: to invoke magical protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the wearer! Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ could represent gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“, everyday objects, hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰, and many other things!

In this display at the British Museum, there are a bunch of different amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ featured! The Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ amulet (3) is considered unusual because it shows Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ sitting on a throne wearing the Atef crown π“‹š, just how he would be depicted in the Book of the Dead or on various reliefs. The Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ amulets were the most popular form of funerary jewelry and were tasked with overall protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

The Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 amulet (4) was most likely only used by the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 because of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 association with mummification and tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. It most likely protected π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the body of the dead to ensure the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 could make it to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.

The Triad Amulet (5) (sometimes referred to as the Ossirian Triad) is a representation of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ (goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of healing and magic), Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ (god π“ŠΉ of the sky and the protector of the ruler of Egypt), and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 (β€œMistress of the House” and associated with vultures). Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, the sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ of Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇, and the wife π“ˆŸπ“ of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† is representative of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 protecting Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and that protective power extends to the wearer. This amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† became very popular during the 26th Dynasty, and was usually used by mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ for protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ on their journey into the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. The amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† was either placed on the chest, stomach 𓂋𓄣𓏻, or the thighs of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾.

The carpenter’s tools π“Š‹ (16) are interesting because they might have guaranteed eternal 𓆖 righteousness and equilibrium. This is an example of an everyday object that had magical powers when an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†! These would have been placed on a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾!

The staircase amulets π“Š (17) represent the primordial mound from which all life π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ was created. Here is the short version of the myth because it can be long/complicated and there are many versions:

The ancient Egyptian creation myth begins with endless dark water without any purpose or matter. Out of this dark water π“ˆ—, rose the primordial hill and the god π“ŠΉ Atum π“‡‹π“π“‚Ÿπ“€­ (or Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± in some of the myths). Then with his own shadow, Atum π“‡‹π“π“‚Ÿπ“€­ gave birth to Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 (god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere/principles of life) and Tefenet π“π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“†— (goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of moisture/order). Since there was only the primordial hill, Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 and Tefenet π“π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“†— gave birth to Geb 𓅭𓃀𓀭 (god of the Earth 𓇾𓇾) and Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ (goddess of the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯/cosmos). Geb 𓅭𓃀𓀭 and Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ eventually gave birth to the more recognizable gods – Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£, and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Nefertiti and the Princess

This is a sunken relief of Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ and one of her daughters 𓅭𓏏𓏦. A hand 𓂝𓏀 holding an ankh π“‹Ή can be seen being extended to Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ and the princess, which is a very common representation of the sole sun 𓇳𓏀 god π“ŠΉ, Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³.

The relief is carved in limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and some of the paint can still be seen on the relief! One of the things that is unique about the art from the period of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule (referred to by Egyptologists as the Amarna Period) is that a lot of the art depicts the life π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ of the royal family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 as a unit. Before this time period, royal families π“‚§π“ˆ–π“Œπ“π“…±π“€€π“Έπ“Έπ“Έ were not really depicted together at all – usually it was just the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 in art and the monuments.

Due to the fact that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ were seen as a ruling unit, Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ was seen as being just as responsible for the shift in the Egyptian religion as Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was. Much of the art from this period has sustained heavy damage, because it was purposefully hacked away at and destroyed, or used in other building projects – almost like an ancient Egyptian recycling program!

While Nefertiti’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ face 𓁢𓏀 is totally destroyed, the princess’ face 𓁢𓏀 is not. This is illustrative of the violence shown towards images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ after her death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 due to her part in the changing religion. The princess’ face 𓁢𓏀 was not touched, probably because she wasn’t seen as responsible. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ have also been totally destroyed, but ironically the word β€œAten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³β€ is the one word that can still be seen! The word for Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ was most likely part of the princess’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ–.

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Sandstone Relief of the God’s Wife of Amun Making an Offering to Amun-Ra

This sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ relief is dated to the Third Intermediate Period (Dynasty 25, c. 710-670 B.C.E.) and is most likely from Karnak. It depicts the God’s Wife of Amun, named Amunirdis I, making an offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 of Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. Standing behind Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί is the god π“ŠΉ Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€― (god of the moon π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή) who is the son π“…­ of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί and the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Mut 𓏏𓄿𓀭.

In the Third Intermediate Period, the β€œGod’s Wife of Amun” was a very powerful position to be in – at some points, they even had as much power as the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! The women who had this title were either the wife π“‡“π“π“π“ˆž, mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐, or daughter 𓅭𓏏 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 and would be in charge of performing necessary rituals at festivals and religious ceremonies.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra
π“‡“π“π“ˆ– – King of the
π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ – Gods

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ίπ“‡“π“π“ˆ–π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ – β€œAmun-Ra, King of the Gods.”

Here’s the inscription directly next to Amun-Ra:

π“‰Όπ“ŠΉ – Great God
π“ŽŸ – Lord
π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky

π“‰Όπ“ŠΉπ“ŽŸπ“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – β€œGreat God, Lord of the Sky.”