Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Name Stones of Senemut

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

I’m sure doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone that my favorite time period of Egyptian history is the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! These stones are dated to the 18th Dynasty reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and are inscribed π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό. Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was a non-royal man who rose to become the most important official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ during Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“.Β 

While these pieces may seem like some random limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks, they are actually what archaeologists refer to as β€œName Stones.” The Name Stones were built into Senemut’s π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 and were not meant to be seen – they were just meant to indicate that Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό took ownership of his tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐. 

I’ve seen Senemut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–appear a couple of different ways in hieroglyphs and here are the variations: π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½, and π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…. It’s the determinative that’s changing, not the symbols that influence pronunciation!

Let’s take a look at the hieroglyphs on each of the stones!Β 

Name Stones
A name stone with the text “Overseer, Senemut” inscribed on it.

In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– states:Β 

𓄓𓉐𓏀 – Overseer 

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ – SenemutΒ 

Name Stone
A name stone with the text “Senemut, True of Voice” inscribed on it.

In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– states:

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ – Senemut 

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice

Name Stone
A name stone with the text “Overseer of the Garden of Amun, Senemut” inscribed on it.

In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– states:

π“ˆ™π“€π“Šͺπ“ˆ™π“ˆ– Overseer of the Garden

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€½ – Senemut 

β€œOverseer of the Garden of Amun, Senemut”

These are my personal photographs and original text. DO NOT repost without explicit permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouches of Pharaoh Rameses I

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the first 𓏃 pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 19th Dynasty, Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…±! Rameses I 𓇳𓄇𓏠 was of non-Royal birth and was already quite old when the previous pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, chose him as his successor. Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± had a very brief reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of about two 𓏻 years! 

Before he was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Rameses I 𓇳𓄇𓏠 served as the vizier 𓅷𓏏𓏺𓀀 to Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– and was a High Priest of Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. This means that Rameses I 𓇳𓄇𓏠 probably played an important role in the restoration of the old religion! Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 (his 𓆑 son π“…­) succeeded him on the throne and this was the first direct father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 to son π“…­ succession since Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!

Rameses I
The throne name (left) and birth name (left) cartouches of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Rameses I

Let’s break down each of the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦! We are going to start with the throne name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· (prenomen) on the left!Β This is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that the person took when they became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

𓇳𓄇𓏠 – Men Pehty Ra (β€œEternal is the Strength of Ra”) 

Let’s break down the symbols/phrases in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· to gain a better understanding of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:Β 

𓇳 – Ra 

𓄇 – Strength/Strong

𓏠 – Eternal 

Now let’s look at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right!Β The birth name is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that the person was born with!

π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± – Ramessu (β€œRa has Bore Him” or β€œRa has Fashioned Him”)

Let’s break down the symbols/phrases in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· to gain a better understanding of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:Β 

𓇳 – Raπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a really cool display at the MET, which shows the Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“!

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Me with some of the artifacts from the Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž was an extremely important aspect of their religion because the body of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed to stay intact in order for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to reach to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. The mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process was long (about 70 days) and it took the work of special priests and many different supplies in order to embalm the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Beautifully decorated vases from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cahce

An embalming cache is a collection of the supplies and materials that were used during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process. The embalming cache was usually kept separate from the actual tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ itself, though sometimes these supplies were found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of the person.Β 

The embalming cache that I am with is actually the supplies used to mummify the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“! Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ embalming ache was found in 1907, which was 15 years before the discovery of his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰! The embalming cache was actually only about 360 feet away from the entrance to his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰! 

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Broad Collars and Linens from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cache
Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Vases and Pottery from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cache

Some of the items that were found in Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ embalming cache are linens 𓍱𓍱𓍱, natron 𓃀𓂧𓇨, animal bones, vases π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“¦, and most impressively, three 𓏼 floral broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦! The floral broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦ are thought to have been used during the funeral of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“.Β 

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
An exquisitely preserved broad collar made of flowers, which was used during Tutankhamun’s funeral. This was found in his embalming cache.

I’m just so amazed that the broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦ stayed preserved for thousands of years – it’s absolutely incredible! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – Hieroglyphs on Sarcophagus

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

This very simple limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ from the Middle Kingdom (Dynasty 11, c. 2051–2030 B.C.E.) is one of my absolute favorite pieces! This sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ belonged to a priestess π“ŠΉπ“› of Hathor 𓉑 named Henhenet π“‰”π“ˆ–π“‰”π“ˆ–π“. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ are incredibly well preserved!

Here is the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–: 

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“ƒ£π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“‡‹π“Άπ“…±π“π“Žπ“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“Œ π“‹΄π“€π“‰¬π“„€π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“…“π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌπ“‰“π“π“‚‹π“ƒ£π“…π“ŠΉπ“‰±π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“Œ³π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œπ“π“‡“π“π“†­π“Œ‘π“π“π“‰‘π“ŠΉπ“›π“‰”π“ˆ–π“‰”π“ˆ–π“π“™π“…±π“π“Š€

Here is the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– broken down by word/phrase:

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ An Offering the King Gives 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣 – Anubis

π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘ – Upon his Hill/Mountain

π“‡‹π“Άπ“…±π“π“Ž- He Who is in the Mummy Wrappings

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦ – Lord of the Sacred Land

π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“Œ π“‹΄π“€π“‰¬ – Burial

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏- Good 

π“…“ – In Her

π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ – Tomb 

π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ – Necropolis

𓉓 – A Voice Offering 

𓐍𓂋 – Before

𓃣 – Anubis 

𓏅 – In Front At 

π“ŠΉπ“‰± – God’s Booth (Shrine for Anubis)

π“ˆ–π“‡‹- For The/By The

π“Œ³π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œπ“ – Venerated/Revered

𓇓 – King 

π“π“†­π“Œ‘π“π“ – Sole Ornament 

𓉑 – Hathor

π“ŠΉπ“› – High Priestess

π“‰”π“ˆ–π“‰”π“ˆ–π“ – Henhenet

π“™π“…±π“π“Š€ – True of Voice

β€œAn Offering the King Gives Anubis, Upon his Hill, He Who is in the Mummy Wrappings, Lord of the Sacred Land, A Good Burial In Her Tomb of the Necropolis, A Voice Offering Before Anubis In Front At the God’s Booth, For the Venerated Sole Ornament of the King, High Priestess of Hathor, Henhenet, True of Voice.”

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Corn Mummies in Ancient Egypt

Corn Mummies are an interesting part of Egyptian religious practices. While millions of animal mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ have been found at sites all over Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ made of grains π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“…±π“Έπ“¦ like wheat and barley have also been found – these have been nicknamed β€œcorn mummies” by Egyptologists.Β 

Corn Mummies
A corn mummy with an outer “sarcophagus” made of wood with the head of a falcon. This is dated to the Late Period-Ptolemaic Period.

Corn mummies are found in cemeteries that are usually dated from the Third Intermediate Period through Roman times though they first 𓏃 appeared during the Middle Kingdom. This particular corn mummy is (in the first picture) from the Late Period – Ptolemaic Period (400 – 200 B.C.E.). 

Corn Mummies are meant to be a representation of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and Egyptologists came to this conclusion because the β€œcoffins” that contain the corn mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ almost always contain Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ name and his titles/epithets in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, but also a β€œmummy” stuffed with grain that has a head of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

Another reason Egyptologists made the connection to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was the cyclic nature of growing grains π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“…±π“Έπ“¦- in Egyptian religion, anything that was cyclical was related to the birth π“„Ÿ, death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, and then rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± cycle of the human experience/Egyptian religion.

Corn Mummies
Three corn mummies on display at the MET. This picture shows the variation in the designs of the “sarcophagus,” however, they all have the head of a falcon.

Even though the corn mummies are dedicated to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, they are almost always found in cases with a falcon head. The falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ head is representative of the god π“ŠΉ Sokar π“Šƒπ“Ž‘π“‚‹π“…‹, who is often connected to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. Their connection goes all the way back to the Old Kingdom, and The Pyramid Texts are the one of the first instances in which they are shown to have a connection. This particular corn mummy contains hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that mention the combination god π“ŠΉ Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, who was popularly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a funerary god π“ŠΉ during this time period.

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Beautiful, Good, and Perfect in Hieroglyphs

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

Beautiful, Good, and Perfect in Hieroglyphs

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a very popular word that appears a lot in ancient Egyptian writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! The word β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹/𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏” translates to β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood” and can be used not only in titles such as β€œπ“ŠΉπ“„€ Perfect God” or names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ such as β€œNefertiti π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“‡π“˜π“»π“—,” but also in various words or phrases too! 

In Middle Egyptian there are a couple of ways to write β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood:” 

π“„€ – the hieroglyphic symbol β€œnfr” (nefer) can be used on its own to represent the word. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – this would also be pronounced as β€œnfr” (nefer) as the sounds by the uniliteral phonograms would not be repeated. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏 – this would be pronounced as β€œnfrt,” (neferet) as this is the female form of the word! This is the one that is in my picture! 

When determinatives are used, the meaning of this word can change so be careful! β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“β€ with the woman determinative means β€œbeautiful woman” while β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“ƒ’β€ with the cow determinative means cow! Determinatives can totally change the meaning of the word! 

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the horned viper 𓆑 is pointing to the right, we will start reading from the right! 

The β€œheart and windpipe 𓄀” symbol is a triliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œnfr” which in modern times we pronounce like β€œnefer.”

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative. As a stand-alone symbol, it can also mean he/his. 

The β€œ mouth – 𓂋” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œr” and can be an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Fragment of a Statue of Pharaoh Khafre

This is a fragment of a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 that once depicted the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘. Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ ruled during the 4th Dynasty and was the son π“…­ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱. Most people think that Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ directly succeeded Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱, but actually Khafre’s π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ brother, Rajedef π“‡³π“Š½π“†‘ ruled π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ for about eight years in between the two.Β 

Khafre

Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ is most famous for building one of the pyramids 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴𓏦 at Giza, and he built it just south 𓇔𓅱𓏏 of his father’s 𓇋𓏏𓀀 Great Pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴. Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ also commissioned the construction of the Great Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ and a large temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ complex.Β Khafre’s π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴 is the second largest, his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 Khufu’s 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 being the larger pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴.

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 fragment was found at Giza near Khafre’s π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ complex. Egyptologists have identified this fragment as belonging to Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ not just due to the location in which it was found, but also it’s similarities to other statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β Other statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ contain his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, so it is pretty easy to know that those statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ depict him!

Khafre’s π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œHe appears as Re.” However, sometimes in the Old Kingdom, β€œRe 𓇳” was both pronounced and written first 𓏃, so his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– might have been β€œRakhaf” which translates to β€œRa is his Appearance,” which also makes sense!Β I guess we will never know which way was correct!

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

𓇳 – Re 

π“ˆ – Appears

𓆑 – He/His

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Base of a Hatshepsut Statue

If an object has Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– or face on it, I am going to get excited about it – no matter what the artifact is! I was so excited to see this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 base on my most recent trip to the MET because it has not been on display for a while!

Base of Hatshepsut Statue
Me with the base of a Hatshepsut statue at the MET

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 base shows Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ throne name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the left, and an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of her as a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ on the right. It may be difficult to see in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, but some of the paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 has been retained on the limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰.Β 

Base of Hatshepsut Statue
A closeup of the base of the Hatshepsut statue.

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 that stood on top of this base is most likely long gone. Most of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ from her temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 were found in pieces, as they were intentionally destroyed after her death 𓅓𓏏𓏱. 

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

Base of Hatshepsut Statue
Hatshepsut’s throne name cartouche, Maatkare on the statue base

This piece contains Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ throne name or prenomen, which is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– she took when she became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Let’s take a closer look at this beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

𓇳𓁦𓂓 – Maatkare 

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

𓇳 – Re

𓁦 – Truth (Maat)

π“‚“ – Soul (Ka)

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.”

Base of Hatshepsut Statue
Hatshepsut represented as a sphinx on the statue base
Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – Kohl Tube

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a Kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ Tube! Kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ was a type of eye paint (makeup) that was very popular amongst the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ! This tube would have contained the kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€, and then a wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 or faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό stick would have been used to apply it! The kohl π“†“π“‚π“Œ π“ƒ€ tube itself is also made of faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, hence the gorgeous blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ color! This piece is dated to the 18th Dynasty (c. 1390-1353 B.C.E.).

For me, the most interesting part of an artifact is always going to be the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on the object! 

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

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – Perfect God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (Amenhotep III’s Throne Name)

π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ – King’s Great Wife

π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— – Tiye

π“‹Ήπ“˜ – May She Live!

Some of you may notice when looking at this inscription that Queen Tiye’s π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· too! Sometimes, the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the queens who held the title of the β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“β€ also appeared in cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ to demonstrate their importance to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Fun Fact: Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was actually the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grandmother!

Kohl Tube
A closeup image of the Kohl Tube of Amenhotep III, which is featured in the above video!
Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Goddess Seshat

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ I am going to speak about a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ I have never written about before and her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐! The reason I never wrote about Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is because I never had a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of her! I was so excited to finally β€œmeet” Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 at the Brooklyn Museum!

Seshat
Me at the Brooklyn Museum with a limestone relief of the goddess Seshat! You can always tell that it’s Seshat pictured due to the “𓋇” crown on her head which is associated with her!

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of writing, wisdom and knowledge. Her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– literally translates to β€œfemale scribe,” and she is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ! In this relief, she is depicted as a scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ because she is holding writing with a stylus on a board. You can easily pick Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 out in Egyptian art because of the seven pointed emblem 𓋇 that she wears on her head (I call it a star). This symbol is also part of her name, which makes it easy! 

Seshat
Limestone relief of Seshat at the Brooklyn Museum.

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is also the goddess of architecture, accounting, mathematics, and surveying. This is what made her an essential part of a building ceremony called the β€œStretching of the Cord.” The β€œStretching of the Cord” was part of the foundation ritual that occurred when a building was constructed in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. It involved nailing four 𓏽 stakes into the ground at the four 𓏼 corners of the building and then linking them with a cord. 

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is definitely related to and shares some of the same functions as the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 (or Djehuty to the ancient Egyptians), who was also considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of writing, knowledge and wisdom. Usually Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 is credited with inventing writing/hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (hence his title β€œLord of the Divine Words/Writing π“ŽŸπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“‚‚π“‚‚π“‚‚π“Ÿβ€), however, some mythology credits Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 with inventing writing/hieroglyphs, while Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 was the one who taught writing to man! 

Here are some ways to write Seshat’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

Seshat 𓋇

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐

Seshat π“‹΄π“ˆ™π“„Ώπ“π“…†