Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Birthdays in Ancient Egypt

My birthday is soon, so let’s talk about birthdays in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

Birthdays in Ancient Egypt
Me hanging out at the Temple of Dendur at the MET!

This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is from my last trip to the MET, when I just got to sit and hang out in one of my absolute favorite places – The Temple of Dendur! The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was actually commissioned by Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀 (first emperor of Rome) and the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was primarily used to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯.

The ancient Egyptians didn’t celebrate the birthdays of regular people – they celebrated the birthdays of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“! The 365-day calendar which is one of the ancient Egyptians’ long lasting contributions to the world! Egyptian astronomers even adjusted the year to be exactly 365.25 days when their calculations got more accurate! 

The Egyptian calendar consisted of 12 π“Ž†π“» months that were each 30 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† days long. The extra five 𓏾 days left over at the end of the year were festival days – each day dedicated to celebrating the birthday of a different deity π“ŠΉ! 

Day 1 was the Birthday of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­

Day 2 was the Birthday of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­

Day 3 was the Birthday of Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£

Day 4 was the Birthday of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯

Day 5 was the Birthday of Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇

So how do we write β€œbirthday” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ? Let’s use Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ as an example: π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“Ž± or π“„Ÿπ“π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“Ž±. 

Let’s break it down: π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“/π“„Ÿπ“ is the word for β€œbirth” and both are pronounced β€œmswt.” In the case of  β€œπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“,” this is what we call a β€œphonetic complement” – the sounds are written twice but pronounced once!

The β€œalabaster basin π“Ž±β€ symbol is a determinative for β€œfeast” or β€œfestival” but can also be an ideogram for β€œheb” (feast). 

So if I wanted to write out my own birthday, it would look like this: π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“…±π“π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“―π“ƒ­π“π“Ž±. You can do the same with your own – just replace my name π“‚‹π“ˆ– with your name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

A big thank you 𓋴𓏏𓍯𓄿𓀒 to the UCL website for the list of the festival days!!Β Check out their website for incredible information about ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

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

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of the Goddess Isis

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looked at a raised relief of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ from the West Wall of a Chapel of Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…±. This chapel was originally located in the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ–. Rameses I π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“π“…± was old when he took the throne, and most of his monuments 𓏠𓏍 were either finished by or made by his 𓆑 son π“…­, Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ–.Β 

In ancient Egyptian art, one of the ways to distinguish deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ from each other are either looking at the crowns on their head, or the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that appear next to them. The crowns stayed pretty standard for most deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, however, Isis’ π“Š¨π“π“†‡ crown changed a lot! Most commonly she is depicted with the throne hieroglyph π“Š¨ on her head because it’s part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! She can also be represented with the solar disk 𓇳 and cow horns π“„‹, or as she is here, with the solar disc 𓇳, cow horns π“„‹, and feathers 𓆄π“ͺ. The solar disk 𓇳 and cow horns π“„‹ makes her look similar to Hathor 𓉑, so it’s a good idea to read the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in this case!

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

Relief of the Goddess Isis
Relief of the Goddess Isis from the Chapel of Rameses I in the temple of Seti I at the MET

We are going to start reading from the right because the directional symbols (aka the birds π“…¨ 𓅐) point to the right! As usual, we are also going to read the columns from top to bottom!Β 

π“Š¨π“π“†‡ – Isis

𓅨𓂋𓏏 – Great One

π“ŠΉπ“π“… – God’s Mother

π“ŽŸπ“ – Lady/Mistress

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky/Heaven

π“ŽΊπ“ – Lady/Mistress

𓇿𓇿 – Two Lands

The most common way to write Lady/Mistress is β€œπ“ŽŸπ“,” however, β€œπ“ŽΊπ“β€ is also a variant of that same word! 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Roman Mummy Mask

One of the features of Egyptian funerary practices that persisted throughout most of the civilization was the use of mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ. Mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ first appeared during the First Intermediate Period (c. 2181 B.C.E.), and were last used during the Roman Period (c. 395 AD). While the styles certainly changed, their purpose of protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 remained the same. While the function of the mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ remained the same throughout Egyptian history, there are many different styles! Let’s take a look at this particular Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum!

Roman Mummy Mask
Me with a Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum

The function of protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ is made explicit by Spell 151 from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. Spell 151 also restores the ability of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to see through the mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾. Spell 151 even appears on the back of the mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“!Β 

This mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is from the Roman Period, and it’s always so interesting to see the merging of the two 𓏻 different styles. The mask is made of cartonnage (kind of like paper mache) and is covered in gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf, which is typical of Ptolemaic/Roman masks. The mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 is wearing a nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ style headdress, and Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 (the winged scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣) can be seen on the head 𓁢𓏺. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓀭, god π“ŠΉ of the rising sun 𓇳𓏺, is a symbol of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±.

Roman Mummy Mask
Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum

What makes this mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 so beautiful π“„€ are all of the small details in the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf. The most prominent is the deceased (as a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾) standing before 𓐍𓂋 Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The protective cobras π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜π“ͺ also adorn the mask. Daisies/Rosettes are seen as decoration along with the Wedjat-eyes π“‚€ on each side. Both of these are also symbols of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±! Symbols of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± were important to place on funerary equipment because the deceased wanted to be reborn in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, just like Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was. 

During Roman times, masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ were mass produced in workshops so it is unlikely that this mask represents a specific person. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The God Osiris Inside A Sarcophagus

This depiction of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is on the inside of a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­. Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is the lord of the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐  and it was the goal to be β€œreborn” like Osiris π“Š©π“Ή was after death. Much like Osiris π“Š©π“Ή in the myth, the deceased would not return to the world of the living, but instead live on in the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.Β 

The God Osiris

Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is always depicted in the same way – as a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾, holding the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… , and wearing the Atef crown π“‹š. The Atef crown is the White Crown of Upper Egypt π“Œ‰π“π“‹‘ with two 𓏻 feathers 𓆄𓏏𓏭𓋛 of Ma’at π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ adorning the sides. Above Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛, who is the god π“ŠΉ of the rising sun 𓇳𓏺. 

I love how Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 is drawn in the β€œHorizon π“ˆŒβ€ hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ. The ancient Egyptians used to use hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as artistic depictions for a lot of the natural happenings! Another example is how the β€œsky 𓇯” and β€œstar 𓇼” hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ were often also used to depict these object in art. 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to start near Osiris’ head!

π“Š©π“Ή – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

𓇽 – Duat (ancient Egyptian word for Afterlife/Netherworld)

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“‚¦π“ˆŠ – Sacred Land/Necropolis

Next to the flail: 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

Osiris π“Š©π“Ή is often referred to as “Foremost of the West π“…π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ” because in ancient Egypt, the “west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ” was referred to as the Land of the Dead since the sun 𓇳𓏺 set in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ.

Now beneath β€œwest” is where I don’t know what the glyphs say! It looks like β€œπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒβ€ which is β€œdivine writing” (aka hieroglyphs” but β€œGreat God π“ŠΉπ“‰Όβ€ would make more sense! Sometimes the way the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are drawn/painted can make it difficult to read and interpret!

There are many different ways to write Osiris’ name in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. Much like any language, Middle Egyptian changed and evolved over time. The way that Osiris is written on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­, “π“Š©π“Ή,” is a popular spelling from the Third Intermediate Period – Late Period, which is when this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ is dated to. The most common way that Osiris was written before then was “π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­,” which is the spelling that most are familiar with. Other ways to write Osiris are: 𓁹𓇓𓀴 and π“Ήπ“Š¨π“‚‹π“€΄, but these are less common.

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

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of the Aten

Usually, a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· enclosed the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. The oval surrounding the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was meant to be protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ from evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨ both in life π“‹Ή and in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. During the 18th Dynasty, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the King’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ would also sometimes appear in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·. 

Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was not a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 that followed tradition! Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, which archaeologists sometimes refer to as the β€œAmarna Revolution” is a period of less than 20 π“Ž†π“Ž† years which showed big changes not only to the traditional Egyptian religion, but also changes to the traditional Egyptian art. 

This fragment does not contain the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. Instead, the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are very long way to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³, the sole sun 𓇳𓏺 deity π“ŠΉ in Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– new religion.Β 

Cartouches of the Aten
The Cartouches of the Aten

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These are two 𓏻 of the β€œearly” cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³, as there were variations during the later part of the Amarna period. The two 𓏻 cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are incomplete, but since we know what the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are supposed to say, I will translate both! 

Here is the first two cartouches at the top of the fragment:  π“‹Ήπ“…Šπ“ˆŒπ“ˆŒπ“Ž›π“‚π“»π“›π“π“ˆŒπ“ 

π“‹Ή – Living 

π“…Šπ“ˆŒπ“ˆŒ – Ra-Horakhty

π“Ž›π“‚π“»π“› – Rejoicing 

𓐝 – in

π“ˆŒπ“ – Horizon

This translates to β€œThe Living Ra-Horakhty, Rejoicing in the Horizon.” 

This second cartouche got cut off (you can only see the first two symbols), but here it is: π“π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“†‘π“π“†„π“…±π“‡³π“ˆ–π“π“»π“π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³

𓐝 – In 

π“ˆ–π“‚‹ – Name

𓆑 – His 

𓐝 – As 

π“†„π“…±π“‡³π“ˆ–π“π“» – Light

𓐝 – In 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten

This translates to β€œIn His Name As the Light Which is In the Aten.” 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ivory Amulet of Thoth

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of my favorite ancient Egyptian artifacts because I really love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things! It’s incredible how much artistry and detail can be seen even in the smallest π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© of objects! To the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were significant because they were seen as being powerful magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ in miniature form!Β 

Ivory Amulet of Thoth
Ivory Amulet of Thoth at the Brooklyn Museum.

During the 18th Dynasty, the use of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ both by the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ and the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 was becoming more and more popular. The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ used by the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 were wrapped within the linen 𓍱 bandages that wrapped mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ, and these amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ helped the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 reach the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ like this ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† of the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 that is pictured 𓏏𓅱𓏏, was worn by a living person 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ. Sometimes people wore amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ like this one to proclaim their devotion to a specific god π“ŠΉ. Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 is represented here as a man with the head of an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀, which was a very popular way to see him depicted in Egyptian art. 

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 were also popular to be wrapped within mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 bandages, most likely due to Thoth’s 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 role in the Weighing of the Heart. 

My Nonno loved amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ too, and he would always tell me to look out for the intact cord loop. I love how the loop is still intact on this amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† – it makes me think of my Nonno!Β Whenever I see amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, I always make sure to look for it!

Ivory Amulet of Thoth
The Ivory Amulet of Thoth at the Brooklyn Museum. If you look closely behind his head, you can see the intact cord loop!

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

Categories
Video

Cartouche of Amenhotep III – Video

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

Today we are going to be looking at the cartouche of the throne name of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 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 in the video is a reconstruction of the original by the MET – the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό pieces are original, but the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ and plaster are not. This beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 decoration is a reconstruction using the tiles that were found during the excavation of Amenhotep III’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† palace at Malqata.

Here is his cartouche: π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – NebmaatraΒ 

Cartouche of Amenhotep III
Cartouche of Amenhotep III at the MET. This is the artifact featured in my video!

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

𓇳 – Ra

𓁧 – Maat (Truth)

π“Ž  – Neb (Possessor)

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to Possessor is/of the Truth of Ra or Possessor is/of the Maat of Ra

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Sedimentary Rocks in Ancient Egypt

Let’s have a combination geology and history lesson today! While I always refer to ancient Egyptian history and hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as my β€œFirst Love,” my second love is petrology! Most people think geology is solely the study of rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, however, geology is actually an umbrella term that covers any field that studies the surface and interior of the Earth 𓇾𓇾! Petrology is solely the study of rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, and within that field, sedimentary rocks are my absolute favorite type of rock to study!

Sedimentary Rocks
A stone vessel from the pre-dynastic period made from the sedimentary rock breccia (Brooklyn Museum)

Even in the pre-dynastic period, ancient Egyptian artisans mastered the art of taking very hard rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ and turning them into something beautiful π“„€ – as is the case with this Breccia jar dated to c. 3500-3100 B.C.E. Breccia was mainly used to make these stone jars, and rarely is it seen in other statuary. 

Breccia is classified as a clastic sedimentary rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™. Sedimentary rocks are rocks that formed from tiny pieces (sediments) of pre-existing rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ and are classified based off the size of the fragments in the rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦. Breccia is defined by the fact that is has fragments over two 𓏻 millimeters in diameter, those fragments are angular, and they are suspended in a matrix (natural cement formed by the precipitation of minerals). 

Breccia’s β€œsister rock” (as I like to call it) is called conglomerate, which is also found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! While the rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ are similar (fragments over two 𓏻 millimeters in diameter, fragments in a matrix), their main difference is that conglomerate has rounded fragments! Why do we care about that difference? If the fragments are round, it means they traveled a far distance in water π“ˆ— before they formed into the conglomerate! The angular fragments signify that the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ formed quickly after the sediments were deposited!Β 

Sedimentary Rocks
A piece of the rock conglomerate, which was found by me on the North Shore of Long Island. This is from my personal rock collection.

I included a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of a conglomerate from my personal collection (I also found this rock myself) so you can see the difference in the shape of the fragments (scientifically referred to as β€œclasts”).  This conglomerate is one of my favorites because it has a β€œHidden Mickey” in it!

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

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“Nut” in Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­! Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 and the cosmos. In the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– pictured, the determinative symbol is missing and Nut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is spelled with just the phonograms – β€œπ“Œπ“π“‡―.”

Nut

Let’s break down the symbols in Nut’s name! 

The β€œpot π“Œβ€ symbol has a lot of varying and confusing functions! Most commonly, it is used as a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œnw.” It can also replace and act as a variant for the β€œgrain of sand π“ˆ’β€ symbol on special occasions.

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 when placed at the end of the word!

The β€œsky 𓇯” symbol is mostly used as a determinative and ideogram in the words for β€œsky/heaven,” β€œabove,” and β€œceiling.” When used in the word β€œsky,” it is associated with the sound β€œpt” since it is acting like an ideogram. This symbol can also be associated with the sounds β€œhrt,” β€œhry,” and β€œnwt” – depending on which symbols come before it and how it is used!

If you look closely, the words for β€œsky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯” and β€œNut π“Œπ“π“‡―β€ look extremely similar but they are pronounced differently! In these words, the β€œsky 𓇯” symbol is working as an ideogram and complementing the sounds of the previous symbols! This is what we call a β€œphonetic complement” – the sounds are written twice but pronounced once!

π“Œπ“π“‡― – Nut is pronounced like β€œnwt” and the β€œnw π“Œβ€ + β€œt 𓏏” is the complemented by the sky symbol which is also β€œnwt” in this case! This is how phonetic complements work! β€œπ“Œπ“ is technically β€œnwtnwt” but is only pronounced like β€œnwt (Nut).” 

Bonus Grammar:

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky is pronounced like β€œpt π“Šͺ𓏏” (β€œpπ“Šͺ” + β€œt 𓏏”) and the β€œsky 𓇯” symbol would also be associated with the sound β€œpt” in this case since it is complementing the two previous symbols! Sky is technically written as β€œptpt” but only pronounced as β€œpt.” 

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Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Relief of a Nobleman

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ β€œRelief of a Nobleman” on display at the Brooklyn Museum is a beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 and detailed example of a sunken relief! Sunken relief is defined as art that is carved directly into the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™, and it is below the rock face.

Relief of a Nobleman
The “Relief of a Nobleman” piece is on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

This piece is dated to the 19-20th Dynasties (c. 1295-1070 B.C.E.). According to the information from the Brooklyn Museum, the original location of the relief (and the rest of it) is unknown, however, based off the intricacy of the artistry, Egyptologists believe it was possibly originally from a Ramesside-era tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– (modern-day Saqqara).Β 

While this was carved way after the reign of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (and his artistic revolution), some remnants of Amarna-era inspiration remain. For example, the fact that the face is more rounded than flat is Amarna-inspired, as well as the deep carving into the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ near the back of the head as compared to the face. This creates a really cool dimension, and was really first seen in the Amarna-era! 

The wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 that this man is wearing is intricately carved, and I feel like every little detail is seen! The wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 almost looks real! My favorite aspect is the headband with the lotus flowers 𓆸𓆸𓆸 on it!Β 

On the left side of the relief, a hand 𓂝𓏺 is holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ and a flower 𓆼𓅱𓆰. A sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ was a musical instrument (like a rattle/tambourine) that was associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑. Hathor’s 𓉑 face usually appears on the stem of the sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, right below the “rattles.” The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ had a big connection with music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ, and sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ appeared in art (and as actual artifacts) often.Β 

Music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ is something I love and cannot live without. I think it’s fascinating that a love of music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ is something that has not changed in thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years or across civilizations/cultures.Β I love that I share that connection with ancient Egyptian culture!

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