Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Animal Mummies

I have mentioned in many previous posts that I have loved mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ ever since my Nonno introduced me to ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– when I was a little girl! Although animal mummies are the most common form of Egyptian artifact (seven million dog π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘ mummies have been found in Saqqara alone), they are among the least understood of all objects.

Animal Mummies
A dog (left) and a cat (right) mummy on display at the Brooklyn Museum

At the Brooklyn Museum, they have a couple of animal mummies which are in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 here! On the left is a dog π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘ mummy, and on the right is a cat 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠 mummy.Β The level of preservation of these mummies is exquisite!

It is well documented that the ancient Egyptians kept dogs π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘π“¦ and cats 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠π“ͺ as pets. In tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“₯, many times dogs π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘π“¦ and cats 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠π“ͺ have been found buried with their owners! Dogs π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘π“¦ have also been mentioned on funerary stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ along with other family members! The thought is that the pet and the owner would be able to stay together π“ˆ–π“Š— in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 if they were buried together π“ˆ–π“Š—.

One of the possible explanations of the significance of animal mummies can be tied to the Egyptian cultural aspect surrounding animals. Believe it or not, there is no Middle Egyptian word for β€œanimal” – there was the word π“Œšπ“…“π“„› but it translates more accurately to β€œbeast” then all animals in general. The Egyptians didn’t think of animals as β€œless” than humans – Animals were living things that contained a ba 𓅑𓏺 (part of the soul π“‚“ that is active in this world and the spiritual world). They could become gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ through death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž just like humans. 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Akhenaten and Me!

I’ve never shared this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 because of the glare, but not every picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 needs to be perfect π“„€! My Nonno took this photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and me at the Louvre in what I call the β€œAmarna Gallery!” Β  You can tell by my smile how happy 𓄫𓅱𓏛 I was!Β Seeing a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in real life that I have only seen in books feels like meeting a celebrity!

Akhenaten and Me
Akhenaten and Me at the Louvre!

The Louvre has an impressive collection of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ and artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and I was so excited to be able to see them – this was probably the gallery I spent the most time in at the Louvre! After Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

This particular limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– surprised me when I saw it in person for the first time! I thought it was going to be a lot smaller, so I was shocked to see just how big it was! The piece is also incredibly well preserved – the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– forehead is still somewhat intact, and the design details on the skirt are clearly defined. Also, Akhenaten is holding both the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… in one hand 𓂝𓏺 instead of one in each hand 𓂝𓏺! 

The Louvre has this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 named β€œStatue of an Amarna King.” To me, this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 looks like it is from the early part of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ because there are both traditional Egyptian elements and Amarna-era elements (elongated face and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) present in the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾. If I were to guess, this was probably made before year 5 𓏾 of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, when he still had the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€. However, there are no hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 to confirm this, I am basing this inference just on the artistic style alone! 

This piece really is just stunning to see in person! 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Professional Mourners

While preparing for death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 was an essential part of life on Earth 𓇾𓇾 for the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ, it doesn’t mean that they weren’t upset by the death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 of a loved one. Wealthier Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ were able to hire professional mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€ π“ͺ/π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ for their funerals and those mourners could be men (π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€ π“ͺ) or women (π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ).Β 

Professional Mourners
A limestone relief from a tomb which shows Professional Mourners outside the entrance to a tomb.

In the case of this sunken limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief, there are three 𓏼 female mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ present – two 𓏻 are sitting and one 𓏺 is standing. Only one of the female figures is fully preserved. At funerals, the professional mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ were hired to sing and cry. 

The three 𓏼 mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ are in front of a tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ entrance, which looks like the β€œshrine facade 𓉱” hieroglyphic symbol. 

The entrance to the tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ has plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 and offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in front of it. I also like the column 𓅱𓐍𓇋𓇅 that is added to this relief. 

Reliefs such as these served the purpose of ensuring perpetual mourning for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. If there was mourning present on the reliefs within a tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰, it meant that the mourning would go on for all π“ŽŸ eternity 𓆖. 

On a personal note, this relief really speaks to me because this account on the most basic level is a manifestation of my grief. I started this account as a way to try and cope with my Nonno’s death, and over three years later it’s still helping me to do that. I see the three people in this relief as me, my sister and my brother. It’s incredible how I can deeply relate to a tomb relief from ancient Egypt. 

This piece is from Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– (present day Saqqara) and is dated to Dynasty 19 (c. 1295-1190 B.C.E.). 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Defaced Hatshepsut

There’s a lot going on in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 and I’m going to do my best to talk about it all! This is a red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a defaced Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ which was found during the excavation of her temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. This excavation was a joint effort between the MET and the Egyptian government.Β 

Defaced Hatshepsut
A closeup of a Defaced Hatshepsut statue on display at the MET

I love that the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ and yellow paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is still retained on the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth. The nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth is a traditional striped piece of linen 𓍱 or fabric that pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ wore on their heads. There was usually a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the forehead, but on this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is missing. On a lot of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 would just get broken off in antiquity, however, this one seems to have been deliberately destroyed. 

Blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ and red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 can also still be seen on the broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing around her neck. The broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ was the necklace π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ of choice for royals and the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ.

The most prominent feature on this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is the fact that the face has been seemingly hacked away in antiquity. About 25 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ years after Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 death, Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 went on a campaign to have her statuary destroyed and her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– taken off of monuments 𓏠𓏍. No one knows why this occurred or the events that lead up to Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 doing this! 

Usually pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ would just usurp the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of previous rulers, but Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 didn’t do this with Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 statuary, it was just destroyed and then buried. The running theory is that the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were too β€œHatshepsut-like” and thus could not be reused! 

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

Categories
Video

The Mastaba of Perneb – Video

Perneb π“‰π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ŽŸπ“ƒ€ was a palace administrator during the 5th Dynasty, and he had his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ built at Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– (modern day Saqqara). This type of tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ is commonly referred to today as a mastaba, but in ancient Egyptian times they were referred to as a β€œHouse of Eternity 𓉐𓆖.” The word β€œmastaba” is Arabic for the word β€œbench,” and these tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ got their modern name π“‚‹π“ˆ– due to their rectangular structure and flat roofs!Β 

I am standing inside the mastaba 𓉐𓆖 of Perneb π“‰π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ŽŸπ“ƒ€ at the MET in front of his False Door! I will never forget seeing it for the first time with my Nonno – the first time I saw it, there was no glass on the reliefs! Seeing this for the first time will always be one of my greatest memories! I love being inside the mastaba 𓉐𓆖 because I feel like I am in Egypt – π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– I love being in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ!

False Doors served as ways for the living relatives to make offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and there is a spot at the base of the False Door where offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 are meant to be left. 

The False Door acted as a link between the land of the living π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ and the land of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. 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.” 

If you’re interested in the beautiful reliefs that are on the walls of this mastaba 𓉐𓆖, you can read my previous post about them here!

The Mastaba of Perneb
Me in front of Perneb’s False Door inside his mastaba
The Mastaba of Perneb
One of the reliefs that is on the wall of Perneb’s mastaba

This is my personal video, photo, and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Sphinx of Amenhotep II

This is a sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ! Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻π“₯ during the 18th Dynasty and was the son π“…­ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. He ruled π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for about 26 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ώ years and the first two 𓏻 years of his rule might have been a co-reign with his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀.Β 

Sphinx of Amenhotep II
A small sandstone Sphinx of Amenhotep II

Why do so many pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ represent themselves as sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦? A sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is a mythical creature and is the combination of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› (the body) and a human (the head 𓁢𓏺).  In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ have been associated with kingship π“‡“π“‡Œ since prehistoric times due to their strength π“Œ€ and ferocity. The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ was the perfect representation of the strength π“Œ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 due to its lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› body, while the face still preserved the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the king 𓇓 himself. 

Sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ are incredibly powerful creatures because not only do they represent the physical strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›, but also the power of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ loved to portray himself as powerful (as all pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ did), but Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is actually most known for his athletic abilities! Many depictions show him as an accomplished archer!

Amenhotep II’s birth name is actually the same as Amenhotep I, which is π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ. Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Satisfied

So the name translates to β€œAmun is Satisfied.”

We can tell pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ with the same name apart based on their throne name! Amenhotep II’s throne name is β€œAakheperura 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓏦!” Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

𓇳 – Ra

𓉻 – Great 

𓆣𓏦 – Manifestations

The name translates to β€œThe Great Manifestations of Ra.” 

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

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Alabaster Vase of Thutmosis III

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to take a virtual trip to the Petrie Museum!

This is a calcite 𓍱 (alabaster) vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ with the throne name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 on it!Β 

Alabaster Vase of Thutmosis III
Alabaster Vase of Thutmosis III

Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 was one of the longest reigning pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ in Egyptian history! He co-ruled with Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ for about 21 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ί years, and then he ruled on his own for another 30 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† years! 

This alabaster 𓍱 vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ was found in a foundation deposit. Both the Petrie Museum and the MET have very similar alabaster 𓍱 vases π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ with Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– on them! I have done previous posts on the vases with Hatshepsut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– – a translation and a post on foundation deposits!

These vasesΒ  π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ usually contained incense or ointment.Β Sometimes, traces of the incense or ointment can still be seen within the vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ which is so cool!

Let’s break down the hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbols! 

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – Perfect God 

𓇳𓏠𓆣 – Menkhepperra

π“‹Šπ“ŠΎ – Min

π“Ž€π“ƒ€π“„Ώπ“Š– – Koptos

π“ŒΈ – Beloved

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the full translation is: β€œThe Perfect God, Menkhepperra, Beloved of Min of Koptos.”

Koptos π“Ž€π“ƒ€π“„Ώπ“Š– is the Greek name for the ancient Egyptian town of β€œGbtyw π“Ž€π“ƒ€π“„Ώπ“Š–,” and the modern Arabic name for the town is Qift. Since the Early Dynastic period, Koptos π“Ž€π“ƒ€π“„Ώπ“Š– was an important place of worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 for the god π“ŠΉ Min π“‹Šπ“ŠΎ, but it was also a key trading/economic location due to its proximity to the Red Sea. Koptos π“Ž€π“ƒ€π“„Ώπ“Š– remained an important town through the Ptolemaic and Roman periods too!

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part II)

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Nespanetjerenpere and is on display at the Brooklyn Museum. Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 we looked at the front, and today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the back!

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
Me with the back of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

On the back, the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and Thoth π“…€π“€­ are depicted. On the left, the ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀 headed god π“ŠΉ Thoth π“…€π“€­, and the god π“ŠΉ of writing is shown. On the right is Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who is the falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed god π“ŠΉ and the embodiment of divine kingship. He was considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and the β€œLord of the Sky π“ŽŸπ“Šͺ𓏏𓇯.”

Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ are seen holding a Djed pillar π“Š½, which is the symbol of stability. The Djed pillar π“Š½ is thought to be the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The Djed pillar π“Š½, shown here is even wearing the Atef crown π“‹š, which is the crown that Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ wears.Β 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
The back of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere, showing Thoth (left), the djed pillar (center) and Horus (right)

It is very symbolic that this image 𓅱𓏏𓅱 appears where the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of the mummy 𓅱𓇋𓀾 would be. It can be interpreted that Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­are supporting the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of the deceased person. 

When a person died 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and became β€œThe Osiris,” The Djed Pillar π“Š½ was then thought to represent their spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦! The spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 was thought to keep Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ upright and able to function as the primary god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. This is even referenced in the The Book of the Dead: β€œRaise yourself up Osiris. You have your backbone once more, weary-hearted One; you have bones.” 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part I)

Only here on ancientegyptblog will you hear someone say β€œLook at how gorgeous this is 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑” about a coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 or other type of funerary object but that’s only because the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere is such an incredible piece (as many objects from the Late Period are)!

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
Me with the gorgeous Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

I spent so long just trying to take in all of the beautiful π“„€ images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that are on this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾! This coffin is made of cartonnage, which is a material that is made when linen or papyrus mixed with plaster! This is from the Third Intermediate Period, and dates from the 22nd – 25th Dynasties. 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
A view of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Muesum

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named Nespanetjerenpere. While to many the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ may seem like random pictures of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, it is actually a collection of carefully selected religious symbols meant to help guide Nespanetjerenpere on his journey to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 and associate him with and ensure rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
The Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere with a view of the ram headed pendant and the central hieroglyphs with offering forumla

The ram headed pendant on his chest is meant to represent the sun 𓇳 god π“ŠΉ Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 journey across the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 during the day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 – and through the netherworld 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 at night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„›. The images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ can almost be thought of as the picture-book version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

While the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are so delicately drawn, the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ going down the middle of the coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 seem to be unfinished and roughly done. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ show the very standard offering formula!

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

π“Š©π“Ή – Osiris

𓏅 – Foremost 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

The inscription reads: β€œAn Offering the King Gives Osiris, Foremost of the West.”

Look forward to a Part 𓏻 about the back of this piece!Β 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Cleopatra VII’s Cartouche

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β Today we are going to take a closer look at Cleopatra VII’s π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·!

Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 is arguably one of the most famous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 to ever rule Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and one of the most famous women in history. Even though Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek, she is considered to be the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.Β 

Cleopatra VII's Cartouche
Cleopatra VII’s Cartouche on a statue on display at the MET

This picture shows the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇! Since Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek and not native Egyptian, this cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of hers is very phonetic – most of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ used are uniliteral signs, which means that they correspond to a single sound, just like a letter in the alphabet. 

Let’s take a closer look! 

π“ˆŽ – The β€œsandy slope π“ˆŽβ€ symbol is a uniliteral phonogram associated with the sound β€œq.”

𓃭 – the β€œrecumbent lion 𓃭” was traditionally a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œrw,” however, during the Hellenistic Period it adopted the sound of β€œL.” 

𓇋 – The β€œreed 𓇋” represents the sound of β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

𓍯 – The β€œlasso 𓍯” was traditionally a biliteral phonogram for β€œw3” (wah) but became evolved to adopt the sound of β€œo.”

π“Šͺ – The β€œstool π“Šͺ” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” 

π“„Ώ – The β€œEgyptian Vulture 𓄿” represents the sound β€œ3” which would be pronounced like β€œah.” 

𓂧 – The β€œhand 𓂧” represents the sound β€œd” and is also the ideogram for the word β€œhand.” 

π“‚‹ – The β€œmouth 𓂋” symbol is used to represent the sound β€œr.” It can also be used as an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

𓏏 – 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.”

π“„Ώ – see above!

𓆇 – The β€œegg 𓆇” symbol is kind of used as a determinative here?? The β€œegg 𓆇” is usually used this way in the name of the goddess β€œIsis π“Š¨π“π“†‡,” who was a very popular deity at the time so there is probably a relation. The β€œegg 𓆇” symbol can adopt different sounds depending on how it’s used. 

It’s pretty cool to see the versatility of the hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbols with examples of foreign names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.