Author: ancientegyptblog7

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Red Granite in Ancient Egypt

It’s time for a geology lesson! Today we are going to look at the significance of the red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ used by the ancient Egyptians! 

After limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™, β€œAswan Granite” was the third most used rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ by the ancient Egyptians! β€œAswan Granite” is actually a collective term used to describe all of the intrusive igneous rocks in the Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– area, even though they aren’t all granitic!Β 

Red Granite

Intrusive igneous rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ are rocks that form when magma solidifies deep under ground over long periods of time. This long period of cooling allows for crystallization to occur, which is why red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ contains large (coarse), beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™ crystals! Quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™ is a very hard and durable mineral, which makes red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ a strong rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™. 

This strength has caused controversy and skepticism because β€œhow could the ancient Egyptians have quarried and moved so much granite?” Well the answer is in the science! Tectonic forces move the granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ towards the surface and the release of that overlying pressure (called unloading) causes the granite to weather into blocks through fracturing and the creation of natural joints. All the ancient Egyptians had to do was find the right sized block for their projects and then ship it up the Nike! 

The most common of the β€œAswan Granite” rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ is known as red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ. Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ was used for many different types of things such as vases, statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ, stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦, obelisks 𓉢𓉢𓉢, and for parts of buildings, temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ, and even the pyramids 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴!Β 

Red Granite

One of the best examples of these red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are the ones that used to line Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 (as seen in my picture)! You can see the beautiful colored coarse crystals in the granite! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Geb’s Laughter and Earthquakes

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 was quite the interesting day in NY as we experienced an earthquake π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύ in the morning and an aftershock in the evening! We don’t have earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ in NY very often so it was quite the experience for many of us! 

The ancient Egyptians believed that Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 laughter is what caused earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ to happen! Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 is the god π“ŠΉ of the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, which the ancient Egyptians called the Upper Earth. Anything that occurred on the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface was considered to be Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 domain! 

The deity Tatanen 𓁯 is often associated with things that come from the interior of the Earth 𓇾𓇾 (Lower Earth) such as minerals, rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, and plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰! While today we know that earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ come from the interior of the Earth, the ancient Egyptians didn’t know that but it’s still so cool they made this distinction!

The god Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 can be depicted in art in a couple of different ways!Β 

Geb's
Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus at the MET showing Geb and Nut

On Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus is one depiction: Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­, the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky/cosmos π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯, is seen as a woman arched over the rounded Earth 𓇾𓇾 and is supported by Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere.Β  At Nut’s π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ feet is Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 who is represented by feet with two arms holding the rounded Earth 𓇾𓇾!Β 

Geb's
Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus at the MET showing Geb and Nut labeled with their names in heiroglyphs

On the painted depiction, Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 is seen lying underneath the rest of the figures such as Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ and Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere.Β 

Geb's
A painted sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicting Nut, Shu, Geb and Khnum
Geb's
A painted sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicting Nut, Shu, Geb and Khnum with their names labeled in hieroglyphs

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Hathor at the Louvre

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ sculpture of the head of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 is one of my favorite pieces that I saw in the Louvre because the intricate details are just striking. This piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period, and used to be part of a column.Β 

Head of Hathor
Head of Hathor at the Louvre

Hathor 𓉑 is one of the most prominent goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ of the Egyptian pantheon. Along with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, she is regarded as the β€œGod’s mother π“…π“π“ŠΉβ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of love π“ˆ˜π“, joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏, music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, and dance π“‚‹π“…±π“‚»- basically the fun things in life! 

Hathor 𓉑 is usually associated with cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒π“ͺ and can take the form of a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 in many forms of Egyptian art. One detail that I love about this piece is that Hathor 𓉑 is shown with her cow ears! It is very common to see Hathor 𓉑 with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears in art! 

Another detail that I love is how her wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 is decorated with rosettes π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“ƒ€! The carvings are in raised relief, which only makes them stand out more. The work of the ancient Egyptian artists is truly incredible and never fails to amaze me!

Head of Hathor
Me with the Head of Hathor at the Louvre

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Pharaoh Tutankhamun

At the MET, many walk past this fragment of a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 not knowing who it represents! I have always loved this particular piece because it is the head of Pharaoh Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ who is arguably the most famous pharaoh in the world today! As a kid, seeing King Tut in the MET was just SO COOL because all of the artifacts from his tomb are located in Egypt. I still think it’s cool – even though I’m an adult, I still can’t shake the child-like fascination I have with Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“.

Head of Tutankhamun
The Head of Pharaoh Tutankhamun on display at the MET

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was made during Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ reign (18th Dynasty), and it shows that Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ brought back the old religion and traditional styles of Egyptian art and sculpture. 

Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ is wearing the khepresh crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™, also known as the β€œblue crown” in this statue. The khepresh π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ crown was very popular amongst the New Kingdom pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and it was associated with coronation, the right to rule, and victory. Fun Fact: no example of the Blue Crown (Khepresh) π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ has been found by archaeologists! 

While it can’t be seen in this picture, there is a hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 that can be seen on the back of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ head. This is the hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 of the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­. Since Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ (king of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ) is touching Tutankhamun’s crown, it can be interpreted that Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ approved of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ reign. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Blog

William Visits The Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom

Did you know that the first mention of any β€œTree of Life π“‡‹π“Ž”π“‚§π“†­β€ is actually from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–?! The β€œTree of Life π“‡‹π“Ž”π“‚§π“†­β€ appears in some versions of the creation myth and is said to have grown out of the primordial mound!Β The Tree of Life π“‡‹π“Ž”π“‚§π“†­ is an idea that is still around today and one is located in the Happiest Place on Earth – Disney World!

Tree of Life
William the Hippo with the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an incredibly beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 park and I love it there – the atmosphere and theming is incredible! The symbol for the park is the Tree of Life π“‡‹π“Ž”π“‚§π“†­ and I think all of the different animals carved into the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 on the trunk of the tree 𓆭𓅓𓆭 is so cool! I feel like I see something new every time I go! Can you spot William in the picture with the rhinoceros π“†·π“ˆŽπ“ƒ€π“„›?Β 

Tree of Life
Can you spot William on the rhino?

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, due to the climate, trees 𓆭𓅓𓆭π“ͺ were a rare commodity! Certain trees 𓆭𓅓𓆭π“ͺ were also associated with different deities! There are many tomb paintings where the goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 or Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ are shown emerging from trees 𓆭𓅓𓆭π“ͺ to give the deceased food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ and water π“ˆ—. 

The Sycamore Tree π“ˆ–π“‰”π“π“†­ and the Acacia Tree π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“†“π“†­ are the two trees 𓆭𓅓𓆭π“ͺ that pop up the most in Egyptian mythology. The Sycamore Tree π“ˆ–π“‰”π“π“†­ is usually associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 and she even has the title β€œLady of the Sycamore,” however, Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ and Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ will sometimes have that title too! 

Ra’s solar barge 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž was said to be made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 from the Acacia Tree π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“†“π“†­, and two Acacia Trees π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“†“π“†­π“ͺ could also serve as a gateway to the Netherworld which is why they are a symbol of life π“‹Ή and rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±!

I hope you enjoyed this post about Ancient Egypt in Disney! Be sure to check out my other posts!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Blog

The Tower of Terror

The Tower of Terror was one of my Nonno’s absolute favorite rides at Disney World and he was always the oldest person on the ride! The queue for the ride is incredible as are the pre-show rooms because there’s so many cool things to look at, including ancient Egyptian themed things!Β 

Tower of Terror

Do you spot some familiar statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦? William and I found our friend Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲! I was honestly so surprised to see a replica of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 from the MET in the pre-show room (this was the room on the left) because not only is Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 an obscure deity, but this isn’t a popular or well-known statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was thought to be the god π“ŠΉ of human fate and fortune and the slayer of demons.

Next to Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 is a replica statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the goddess Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ (you can also find one like this at the MET). When Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was depicted with the body of a woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 (like in this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾), she was usually holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ in one hand!

We also found replica statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦 of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣!Β 

Tower of Terror

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was thought to be the mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and was often associated with motherhood, the protection of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, and a user of magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ.  As Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ became a more popular religious figure, she was associated with cosmological order and was considered to be the embodiment of fate by the Romans.

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 (my favorite) was the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž, cemeteries/tombs, and was charged with protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

I hope you enjoyed this post about Ancient Egypt in Disney! Be sure to check out my other posts!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Tutu

While this looks like a small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 this isn’t just any sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€: his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲! The word β€œTutu” in Egyptian can be translated as β€œImage 𓏏𓏲𓏏” or β€œOne 𓏏𓏲.” The reason I am using the β€œπ“²β€ instead of the β€œπ“…±β€ to write the β€œw/u” sound is because β€œπ“…±β€ was used more for Middle/New Egyptian while β€œπ“²β€ was used in Late Egyptian!

Tutu
A front view of the limestone statue of Tutu. His inlaid eyes are missing, probably lost in antiquity.

Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was a late addition to the Egyptian pantheon as his first appearance is around 600 B.C.E., and he became a very popular deity in the late centuries B.C.E. to the Roman period. He is considered to be an obscure god π“ŠΉ and not much is known about him – most people think they are seeing a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ when they see him!

Tutu
The limestone statue of Tutu – can you see his snake tail?

Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was the son π“…­ of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­ and he was usually represented as a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ (human head, lion body) with a snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 as a tail! You can see the snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 tail on the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 if you look closely!

One of the reasons that Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 became so popular is because he was worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by ordinary people and Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was accessible to everyone! Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was thought to be the god π“ŠΉ of human fate and fortune and the slayer of demons. Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was commonly known as β€œWho Comes to the One Calling Him” but was also referred to as β€œGreat of Strength” and β€œThe Lion.” 

On reliefs, Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was also portrayed as a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ except his head was usually facing forward instead of the usual profile depiction that is in most Egyptian art. This was so Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 could be see as approachable by all!

On this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, the inlaid glass eyes are missing! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is also made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and is dated to the Ptolemaic Period. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Blog

Flowers in Ancient Egypt and Disney!

William and I were lucky enough to attend the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT where we got to see all of the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 and topiaries! The pictures I am posting are some of my favorites that we saw!Β We are also going to use this as an opportunity to examine the significance of flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 in ancient Egypt!

Flowers
William with the Winnie the Pooh topiary at EPCOT!

When we envision Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, we usually think of an arid and desert π“ˆŠπ“π“Ί environment. However, flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 were very popular in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and it did have its own beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 that were definitely appreciated by the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ!

Flowers
William with the Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore topiaries at EPCOT!

If you look at lists of hieroglyphic symbols, there are 44 individual hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that represent plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰! For example, the phonogram/ideogram for the Nile Valley/Upper Egypt is 𓇗 – which represents a flowering plant.

Plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 were used for food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ and medicine π“‡‹π“…±π“ˆŽπ“π“†°π“¦, so they were vital in that respect. Plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 were considered to be so important that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ actually sent out an expedition of people to go and look for new plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 that could be used for food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ or medicine π“‡‹π“…±π“ˆŽπ“π“†°π“¦! The word for β€œmedicine π“‡‹π“…±π“ˆŽπ“π“†°π“¦β€ in Middle Egyptian even has one of the plant hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in it!Β 

Flowers
William with the Elsa and Anna topiaries at EPCOT!

We still appreciate plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 for their beauty 𓄀𓆑𓂋 and usefulness to us even today!

Here is some flower-related vocabulary! 

𓇐𓅓𓆰 – plant (noun)

𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 – plants

𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 – flowers

𓁷𓂋𓂋𓏏𓆰 – flower

𓍯𓇅 / 𓇅𓆰 – papyrus

𓇆𓆰π“₯ – vegetation

Flowers
William with the Princess Tiana topiary at EPCOT!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Jars of Yuya and Thuya

These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό are very unique and I really like them! The only jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό similar to this that have been found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– were in the tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ of Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 in the Valley of the Kings (KV46). These jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό at the MET are tentatively dated to the 18th Dynasty reign of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† because of this!Β 

Jars of Yuya and Thuya
Limestone Jars of Yuya and Thuya at the MET

Fun Fact: Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– grandparents and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ great-parents!

These four 𓏽 jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό are made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and have lids on them that show different animals! More specifically the lids show the deity Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ, a frog π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‚‹π“†, an ox 𓃾 head and a resting calf π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“‡Œπ“ƒ”. No one knows what these jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό were specifically for!Β 

Jars of Yuya and Thuya
Jars of Yuya and Thuya showcasing the interesting lids!

Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ also represented everything good, and was the enemy of anything evil. Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ is also thought to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ people against sickness. Cups were fashioned in Bes’ π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ likeness and people thought if they drank from the cup, Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ would heal them! So maybe these jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό were protecting something?! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Will of Mery

This papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is one of the oldest legal documents found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! The papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛, which is the Will of Mery, is dated to about 1818 B.C.E., which was during the Middle Kingdom. It is currently on display at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at UCL in London!Β 

Will of Mery

You may notice that this papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is not written in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ or even cursive hieroglyphs! Like most papyri 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛𓏦, it is written using a script called Hieratic. Hieratic is a script that was used on papyri 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛𓏦 and the symbols do not match their hieroglyphic counterparts! I cannot read Hieratic and I have found it quite difficult to learn! Plus the Hieratic symbols have evolved over time so they have changed a lot which only makes it more difficult! 

Luckily, the UCL website has a wonderful translation of this papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 so I was able to read what was being said! This is a will in which a man named Mery (a very popular name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in ancient Egypt) asks for his son π“…­ Intef to be appointed to his job in the temple of Senwosret II. It also reveals some presumed family drama – Mery cancels the previous will that left things to Intef’s mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 and then leaves it instead to his children π“π“‡Œπ“€”π“ͺ that were born by another woman.Β 

The UCL website poses some questions such as β€œDid Intef’s mother die or did Mery divorce her?” – there are some things we will never know! It’s amazing how documents such as these can give us such insight into ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– but still leave us with so many questions!Β 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!