Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amulets at the Brooklyn Museum

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of my favorite objects because I love tiny things! My Nonno always pointed out the Djed Pillar π“Š½ amulets in museums!

The Djed Pillar π“Š½ is representative of stability and is one of the oldest types of amulets, dating back to the Old Kingdom! It is thought to represent the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! Since the Djed Pillars π“Š½ are associated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, they are usually used in funerary contexts. They were usually laid across the lower torso of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾. Most of the time, Djed Pillar π“Š½ amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ appears in a green/blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 color, which is used to represent the regeneration. Blue and green 𓇅𓆓𓏛 are the colors of regeneration because they are associated with the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί.

The scarab is the personification is the god Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛, the creator. The scarab amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were said to be the most powerful of amulets because the the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the dung beetle (which the scarab was fashioned after) was capable of eternal regeneration. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 symbolizes a β€œlife cycle” – birth, death, and rebirth in the afterlife. This cycle was essential to Egyptian religious beliefs, as Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ spent their lives preparing for death and entering the underworld 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ancient Egypt and Flowers

While we envision Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, we usually think of an arid and desert π“ˆŠπ“π“Ί environment. However, flowers were very popular in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! If you look at lists of hieroglyphic symbols, there are tons of hieroglyphs that represent plants! The phonogram/ideogram for the Nile Valley/Upper Egypt is 𓇗 – which represents a flowering plant!

Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 was found with flowers, as were other royal mummies. Even commoners would adorn their dead with flower arrangements.

Here are some beautifully π“„€ colored plants! On the bottom left is a lotus flower 𓆸, the top right is a palm tree, and the bottom right is a small plaque or tile of some kind with daisies/rosettes! I love how bright the green is!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Wilbour Plaque

This is one of my absolute favorite pieces and I was so excited to see it again in person at the Brooklyn Museum after so long!

After Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 because of just how different/bizarre his rule was compared to everything/everyone else. The Brooklyn Museum has an amazing collection of artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule!

The top piece in the display is known as the Wilbour Plaque, after Charles Wilbour who acquired it in 1881. The plaque is interesting because it is complete as is it was never part of a larger scene and was most like used as a model for sculptors. While there aren’t any inscriptions to confirm this, it is assumed that the people represented here are 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“­. However, some argue that the person accompanying Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– in the image could either be Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ or Smenkare π“‡³π“Šƒπ“‰»π“‚“π“‚¦π“†£.

To me this piece is interesting because the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ is no where in sight! Usually Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is always accompanied by an image of the sun 𓇳𓏺/Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ with sun rays shining on him. It’s almost kinda weird to see him like this!

The second piece in the display is another sculptor’s model!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ancient Egyptian “Rainbow Fish”

My sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ said that this piece from the Brooklyn Museum reminds her of the children’s book β€œRainbow Fish,” and now I can’t unsee it!!

This beautifully π“„€ colored fish 𓂋𓅓𓆛 represents a tilapia! The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ viewed the tilapia as a symbol of regeneration and rebirth. Both of these things were super important in the Egyptian religion, so they held tilapia in very high regard!

What is so cool about this piece is that it is actually a rattle! There are little clay pellets inside of it, which represents the eggs. This was most likely a ritual object; either played during childbirth or placed in a tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 with their rebirth!

The blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 coloring on the fish 𓂋𓅓𓆛 is purely decorative as tilapia are not this color in real life! This piece is estimated to be from the Amarna period and the rule of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Isis” in Hieroglyphs

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

These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 Coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).Β 

This is a variant of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“Ί in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! More commonly, her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written as β€œ π“Š¨π“π“₯,” and the difference between the two is the determinative at the end. Why was the determinative not used in this inscription? Most likely due to spacing issues! 

The β€œseat π“Š¨β€ symbol has many different functions in Middle Egyptian! In the case of the name β€œIsis π“Š¨π“π“Ί,” the seat functions as a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œjs.” In other words, it can be a phonogram for the sounds β€œst,” and β€œhst.”  π“Š¨ is even an ideogram for the word β€œseat!” 

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! 

The β€œstroke 𓏺” hieroglyph is used at the end of words when there is a bit of space left over – it’s all for the aesthetic! This symbol is not pronounced, it is solely used for punctuation/aesthetic purposes! 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œIsis” is actually the Greek version of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of this goddess π“ŠΉπ“! If we were to pronounce her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– the way the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ did (or inferred how they did), her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– would be pronounced like β€œIst π“Š¨π“π“Ί.” 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Sekhmet at the Brooklyn Museum

Every time I go to a museum, I need to get a picture with Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“!

Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ was one of my Nonno’s absolute favorite Egyptian goddesses π“ŠΉπ“π“ͺ. Whenever I see Sekhmet, π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ she makes me think of my Nonno. He probably really liked her due to her strength and power!

In Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, most of the feline 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠 deities were female! This was most likely intentional – much like a lioness π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“π“„› can be gentle and nurturing with her cubs, she can also be extremely fierce and aggressive when she needs to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ them. This duality is quintessential to not only Sekhmet’s π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ role in the Egyptian pantheon, but to the other feline 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠 goddesses π“ŠΉπ“π“ͺ as well!

Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ is always seen with a sun-disk on her head, which shows that she is the daughter of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛. She was known as the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of destruction/war, and her name means β€œshe who is powerful.” She could also represent the destructive aspects of the sun 𓇳𓏺. There were many religious rituals designed to appease her. Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ was feared for being a very powerful and very destructive goddess π“ŠΉπ“.

This particular statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ was made during the rule of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  during the 18th Dynasty.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Pharaoh Pepy II and his Mother

Pharaoh Pepy II π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋 ruled during Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– 6th Dynasty (Old Kingdom). He became pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 at only six years old, and his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 (Ankhnes-meryre II) served as his co-regent. His throne name, Neferkare 𓇳𓄀𓂓 means β€œThe Soul of Re is beautiful.”

Pepy II’s π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋 reign actually marked the decline of the Old Kingdom – this was due to the fact that the power and influence of the governors (also called nomarchs) were growing, so the powers of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 declined. Since there was no strong central power, chaos began to erupt amongst the nomarchs.

This alabaster piece at the Brooklyn Museum is one of the more famous representations of Pepy II π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋 and his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐, mostly because the statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ has two β€œfront” sides!! The statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ shows Pepy II π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋 seated in his mother’s 𓅐𓏏𓁐 lap. By placing Pepy II π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋 and his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 in opposite directions, it creates a multi-view statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ! This is very different than other art from the Old Kingdom!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Throne Name of Amenhotep III in Hieroglyphs

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

Today we are going to be looking at the cartouche of the throne name of pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† ruled during the 18th Dynasty and his rule π“‹Ύ was a time of prosperity for Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, especially in regards to the arts and international influence!

This piece pictured is a reconstruction of the original by the MET – the blue π“‡‹π“Ήπ“π“„Ώπ“Έπ“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–𓏏𓏸𓏼 pieces are original, but the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ and plaster are not. 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols in the cartouche: 

π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (Possessor of the Truth of Ra or Possessor of the Maat of Ra) 

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun, day, and time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œπ“§ goddess with a feather” symbol is a determinative in the name of the goddess Maat, and is also an ideogram for Maat. The single symbol alone would be pronounced like β€œMaat.”

The β€œπ“Ž  basket” is a biliteral phonogram symbol that has the sound of β€œnb,” which is inferred to be pronounced like β€œneb.” The π“ŽŸ alone can also mean the word β€œLord,” especially in the titles that come before a pharaoh’s cartouche. 

Now, reading three symbol cartouches can be confusing – sometimes you start with the middle symbol, sometimes you start with the last symbol. There is no way to know for sure – it comes with practice!

Fun Fact: Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† was the father 𓇋𓏏𓀀 of AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montu in Hieroglyphs

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

Today we are going to learn how to read the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ MontuΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­!Β MontuΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­Β was a war god and was worshipped widely during the 11th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom.Β 

A closeup of the name “Montu” in hieroglyphs from a stela at the MET

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc. 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a phonogram sign, except it is uniliteral sign, which means that it just represents one consonant. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œπ“Ώ hobble/tie” is also a uniliteral phonogram sign. The β€œπ“Ώβ€ is associated with the sounds of β€œαΉ―β€ or β€œt.” 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral symbol that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick π“…±π“Ί.”

The final symbol in the name, β€œπ“€­ seated god,” is one that is not pronounced! This is a determinative symbol, which means that it is a symbol used to show the general meaning of the word! It is basically used as punctuation at the end of the word to show you that it is over!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Vessels of Pepy II

Here are some vessels from the MET that are from the rule of Pepy II π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋. Made of alabaster, the purpose of these vessels was to keep cosmetic oils cool.

In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, on the middle vessel you can see Pepy II’s π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋 cartouche. On the vessel to the left, you can see his throne name, Neferkare 𓇳𓄀𓂓, which means β€œthe soul of Re is beautiful.”

In the picture𓏏𓅱𓏏 above, the vessel on the right is a little more clear. You can see Pepy II’s π“Šͺπ“Šͺ𓇋𓇋 cartouche, however the title 𓅭𓇳, β€œSon of Ra,” is also embedded in the cartouche instead of on top of it. This was a stylistic thing that occurred during the Old Kingdom. However, the title π“†₯, β€œKing of Upper and Lower Egypt” is present before the cartouche in this instance. The placement of the hieroglyphs can be super interesting!