Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Art in Amenhotep III’s Palace

The art in Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at present-day Malqata must have been such a sight to see! Malqata is located near Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– in Upper Egypt 𓇓 on the West Bank of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. One of the reasons why the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Malqata is so fascinating is because of the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 artwork that has been discovered throughout it!

Art in Amenhotep III's Palace
One of the many pieces of art in Amenhotep III’s Palace from Malqata. The duck and various forms of vegetation create a relaxing ambience!

Believe it or not, this beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 piece of art actually was part of the decoration on the floor in one of the rooms of the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐! I love how the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, green 𓇅𓄿𓆓𓏛, gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ and cream colors complement each other and make a relaxing ambience. Plus, I think ducks π“„Ώπ“Šͺ𓂧𓅭π“ͺ are adorable and I love how this duck π“„Ώπ“Šͺ𓂧𓅭 is just hanging out amongst the flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦/papyrus 𓇅𓆰 and other vegetation 𓇆𓆰π“₯! 

In order to celebrate his Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  built a new palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 which was referred to as β€œThe House of Rejoicing” at present day Malqata in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, also known as the β€œ30 Year Jubilee,” was meant to celebrate the 30th year of a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“. The construction started during year 11 π“Ž†π“Ί of his reign, and Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  made Malqata his primary residence by year 29 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“€π“Ί. 

Malqata was abandoned by Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– when he succeeded his father. Many archaeologists speculate that many of the artists 𓍍𓏏𓏭𓀁 and craftsmen that worked at Malqata also worked in the Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– workshops because similar floor-art has also been found at Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Memphis Triad

While Harry, Ron, and Hermione are most definitely my favorite trio of all time, the Memphis Triad comes pretty close!! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, groups of three 𓏼 gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are referred to as β€œtriads” by Egyptologists! Triads were groups of gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that usually had some type of familial significance to each other. Father 𓇋𓏏𓀀-Mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐-Child π“π“‡Œπ“€• triads and family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 units were extremely important to Egyptian culture!

The Memphis Triad
Ptah (left), Sekhmet (middle) and Imhotep (right) make up the Memphis Triad

The triads were usually made into a single statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, however, at the MET they have displayed these three 𓏼 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ together to form a triad which I think is so cool! This triad is known as the Memphis Triad, which consisted of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“€­ (left), Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ (middle) and Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (right). 

The Memphis Triad could also be Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, and Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯. Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 was the son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ in mythology. However, during the Ptolemaic times (which is when these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are dated to), Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ, and he kind of replaced Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 in the triad! Since Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was regarded by the Greeks as the Son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, this unofficially made Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐! 

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, meaning β€œHe who comes in peace,” was a non-royal man who became deified.  Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was not deified in his lifetime – it was 2,000 𓆼𓆼 years after his death that he began to be worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ by the Greeks. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Video

Statue of Senemut – Video

This is a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£. 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. Sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ usually had Hathor’s 𓉑 head 𓁢𓏀 (complete with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears) on top of a long handle. 

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This is a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£. 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. Sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ usually had Hathor’s 𓉑 head 𓁢𓏀 (complete with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears) on top of a long handle. It’s interesting to see a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding something other than Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, because he is usually depicted with her. Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ closest advisor, the tutor for her daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and the architect responsible for building her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her. This is my personal video and original text – DO NOT repost! #ancientEgypt #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #ancientegyptblog #hatshepsut #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #anticoegitto

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

It’s interesting to see a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding something other than Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, because he is usually depicted with her. 

Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ  Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ closest advisor, the tutor for her daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and the architect responsible for building her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. 

Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her. 

Statue of Senemut
Statue of Senemut holding a sistrum at the MET

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Egyptian Artifacts

The “Hatshepsut Hole”

Gallery 115 π“²π“Ž†π“Ύ at the MET holds an incredible collection of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ which depict Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– greatest female pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (and just one of the greatest pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 ever), Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. This room is my happy place; there is just something so incredible about being in Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 presence! 

Most pharaohs’ π“‰π“‰»β€œgreatness” is based upon how extensive their building projects were, and Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ had a lot of them. She built the first obelisk 𓉢 in over 90 years, had her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 constructed (where the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in this gallery were found), and had multiple projects from Sinai to Nubia. 

However, despite her extensive building projects, much of her work had been usurped or destroyed. Most of the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in this gallery have been reconstructed; the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were found in pieces and put back together like ancient puzzles by archaeologists.Β 

The "Hatshepsut Hole"
Me with some reconstructed/restored statues of Hatshepsut in Gallery 115 at the MET. These statues were found in The “Hatshepsut Hole.”

At Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐, the β€œHatshepsut Hole” is where many of these fragmented statues were found buried during an excavation by the MET and the Egyptian government. 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! 

Ironically, while Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 tried to destroy and erase Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, by burying the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, they have survived in pretty good condition thanks to the Egyptian sand. In a way, Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 did Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ (and archaeologists) a favor by allowing the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ to be preserved instead of exposed to the elements/other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Gold Roman Mummy Mask

This is a mummy mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ from the Roman Period of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Roman Period of Egypt is characterized as being after the death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇, the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, in 31 B.C.E. 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–. Augustus, though he called himself β€œPharaoh π“‰π“‰»π“€€β€œ was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire.Β 

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

My Nonno loved the Roman Period of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– because he loved Roman history too, so Roman Egypt was the combination of his favorite things! The merging of the civilizations also meant the merging of both Egyptian and Roman art styles, as is demonstrated by this mask. The mask is made of cartonnage and mostly overlaid with gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf. The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 are inlaid with glass π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, while the garland π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†° of flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 is painted.Β 

Gold Roman Mummy Mask
The Gold Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum. The snake bracelets and armlets can be seen in great detail!

My favorite detail on this mummy mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 are the snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦 that are carved in raised relief on the arms 𓂝𓏦. I love snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 themed jewelry and wear snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 rings π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“‹ͺπ“₯ and bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦 myself! I think it is such a beautiful π“„€ detail on  the mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾! The woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ who owned this mask was most likely extremely wealthy because most mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ were not completely overlaid with gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf such as this one. 

The eyebrows on the mask are blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ because it is supposed to be the same color as lapis lazuli 𓐍𓋴𓃀𓂧𓏧! Many of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ were thought to have blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ lapis lazuli 𓐍𓋴𓃀𓂧𓏧 hair! The blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ eyebrows could represent this woman joining the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus

This photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows some of the details (Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus) on the mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a man named Kharrushere who lived during the Third Intermediate Period/22nd Dynasty (c. 825–712 B.C.E.). These elaborately decorated coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are very typical of this time period, and they’re some of my favorite things to just sit and look at because the art is just exquisite!Β 

Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus
Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus depicted on a mummiform coffin at the MET.

In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, we can see the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ sitting in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰. If you look closely, the pillars that are holding up the shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ are actually β€œDjed Pillars π“Š½π“Š½π“Š½β€ which is significant because not only does β€œDjed π“Š½β€ mean β€œstability” in Middle Egyptian, but the Djed Pillar is also thought to represent the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­!

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

While Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ is not explicitly labeled with his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, we know it’s him for a couple of reasons! He is depicted holding the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ…, which is very typical! In the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ thought, we can see the title β€œLord of Eternity π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ which is always associated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! It’s basically his nickname!

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

In front 𓏃 of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ on the table, we can see the Four Sons of Horus! Not only are they usually shown together like this, but each one of them is labeled with their name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! However, due to spacing, the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ are a little abbreviated/shortened from their usual forms! 

Let’s start reading from the right since that’s the way the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in this section point: 

𓇋𓐝𓋴𓍿 – Imseti (not shortened)

π“Ž›π“π“‘- Hapi (π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ) 

𓇼𓅐𓆑 – Duamutef (𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑)

π“π“Œ’ – Qebehsenuef (π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘)

Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 and Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘ seem to be switched because Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– appears before Qebehsenuef’s π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘ in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ but after him in the lineup! 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs (Part 2)

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

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 we looked at one word for β€œEternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ and today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the other word for β€œEternity – 𓆖.”

β€œTime” is such a complex concept; in our modern view, time is linear with the past at one end and the future at the other end. The present time is viewed as in between the past and future. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, time was viewed as both linear and cyclical. 

Here’s how β€œeternity” was expressed in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

𓆖 – Eternity (linear)

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity (cyclical)

Eternity in Hieroglyphs
Eternity in Hieroglyphs from a raised relief at the MET

Linear eternity, represented by 𓆖, is the concept which represents that all of the things that came about at the time of creation (sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 is above the land 𓇾𓇾, Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί flowing South 𓇔𓅱𓏏 to North π“Ž”π“, sun 𓇳𓏺 rising in the East 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭 and setting in the West π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ, etc) would continue on as is for all π“ŽŸ eternity 𓆖. Cyclical Eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›, showed that all of the natural cycles like birth and death, the yearly seasons, would continue on for all π“ŽŸ eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. 

Let’s break down the symbols for Eternity 𓆖 (pronounced like β€œαΈt”):

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra 𓆓 is a uniliteral sign, so it represents just one consonant. It represents the sound β€œαΈβ€ which would almost sound like a β€œj” when pronounced.

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.”

The β€œstrip of land 𓇿/𓇾” symbols can both be used to write β€œEternity 𓆖.” While both symbols have different meaning when not used as a determinative, in the case of β€œEternity 𓆖” it is used as one! β€œπ“‡Ύβ€ pronounced like β€œtah/t3” is an ideogram for land, earth and world and is a determining for β€œEternity 𓆖.”  β€œπ“‡Ώβ€ is also a determinative for β€œEternity 𓆖” but also for desert and foreign land. It’s an ideogram for β€œisland” and would be pronounced like β€œjw.”

You can read Part 1 of this post here!

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs (Part 1)

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the word for β€œEternity – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› was a concept central to ancient Egyptian religion and culture. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ actually invented the concept of eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›/infinity?

This way to write β€œeternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ is technically a measure of cyclical time. The proper way to write the word for eternity would actually be β€œπ“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³β€ or β€œπ“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³,” with the sun disc acting as the determinative. This means that the sun disc symbol would not be pronounced! However, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› is more aesthetically pleasing, so that is how the word is written in most inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯. Technically, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› would be pronounced like β€œnαΈ₯αΈ₯” and is actually an abbreviation of β€œπ“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³ / π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³.”

"Eternity" in Hieroglyphs
“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs. This relief is from the Chapel of Seti I and is on display at the MET.

There are two 𓏻 very common ways to write β€œEternity” – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› and 𓆖. The words for eternity (𓆖 & π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›) appear frequently in so many inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ – if you can recognize the words, you will be able to pick them out in any museum you visit! They do have slightly different meanings that I will highlight in a future post! Languages are so cool – the two words can mean the same thing when translated into English, but can be different in Middle Egyptian!

Let’s take a closer look at the hieroglyphic symbols! 

The β€œwick π“Ž›β€ symbol is a uniliteral phonogram which means that it only represents one sound. The sound that it represents is β€œαΈ₯.” 

The β€œsun disc 𓇳” symbol is usually seen as an ideogram for β€œRa.” The symbol β€œπ“‡³ – sun” can also be a determinative for sun, day, and time.

You can read Part 2 of this post here!

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Wilbour Plaque

Not only is the Wilbour Plaque one of my absolute favorite pieces, this is one of the most famous pieces of Amarna-era art! The Brooklyn Museum has an amazing collection of artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and I’ll never forget the first time I got to see it with my Nonno!Β 

Wilbour Plaque
Me with the Wilbour Plaque at the Brooklyn Museum!

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 his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ was compared to the other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ – not only did the art style completely change, but the religion changed too! 

The top piece in the display is known as the Wilbour Plaque, named after Charles Wilbour who acquired it in 1881. This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ piece is interesting because it is complete as is it was; it was never part of a larger scene and was most likely used as a model for sculptors! Sculptor models were used by artists as references when they were making official art of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!Β 

The Wilbour Plaque (top) and another Sculptor’s Model (bottom) on display at the Brooklyn Museum!

While there aren’t any inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, 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 Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ in the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 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! This piece shows Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– with another member of the royal family, and a hand! 

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

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs – Video

𓄫𓏏𓄣 – β€œBe Happy, β€œHappiness,” β€œJoy,” – or in Middle Egyptian, β€œWide Heart.” 

@ancientegyptblog

𓄫𓏏𓄣 – β€œBe Happy, β€œHappiness,” β€œJoy,” – or in Middle Egyptian, β€œWide Heart.” I LOVE how the actual Middle Egyptian version of the word is β€œWide Heart 𓄫𓏏𓄣” – I think it carries so much meaning in such a little phrase. β€œAncient Egypt makes my heart wide” sounds cooler than β€œAncient Egypt brings me joy/happiness” – in my opinion at least! I always love seeing Happiness/Joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 written on objects because that is exactly how I felt when I was in a museum and looking at Egyptian artifacts with my Nonno. The only emotion I could feel at the time was joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 and I was so lucky. I would do anything to go to a museum with my Nonno and experience those emotions again. While I do feel immense joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 in museums now, there’s always a sadness to it as well because I truly miss my Nonno more than anything. Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here are some common variants for β€œHappiness,” and β€œJoy”: π“„«π“„£ 𓄫𓄣𓏏 𓄫𓏏𓄣𓏺 𓄫𓄣𓏺 This is my video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #ancientegyptblog #hieroglyphs #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #anticoegitto #egyptology

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

I LOVE how the actual Middle Egyptian version of the word is β€œWide Heart 𓄫𓏏𓄣” – I think it carries so much meaning in such a little phrase. β€œAncient Egypt makes my heart wide” sounds cooler than β€œAncient Egypt brings me joy/happiness” – in my opinion at least!

I always love seeing Happiness/Joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 written on objects because that is exactly how I felt when I was in a museum and looking at Egyptian artifacts with my Nonno. The only emotion I could feel at the time was joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 and I was so lucky. I would do anything to go to a museum with my Nonno and experience those emotions again. While I do feel immense joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 in museums now, there’s always a sadness to it as well because I truly miss my Nonno more than anything.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here are some common variants for β€œHappiness,” and β€œJoy”:

π“„«π“„£

𓄫𓄣𓏏

𓄫𓏏𓄣𓏺

𓄫𓄣𓏺

Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs
Here is a closeup of the word for Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs that I highlight in the video!

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