Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

Name of Thutmosis I or Thutmosis II?

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date February 20, 2025

Have you ever asked yourself “Are these hieroglyphs the name of Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 or Thutmosis II 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖?” The names are so similar, that if you’re reading hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪, you probably have!

The discovery of the tomb 𓇋𓇩𓊃𓉐 of Thutmosis II 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖 is so exciting and I cannot wait to learn more about this discovery!! The 18th Dynasty is my favorite time period, and Hatshepsut 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓎹𓏏𓄂𓏏𓀼𓏪 is my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 so I am really excited about all of the new information that can be learned from this discovery!

In celebration of this wonderful discovery, Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

A display of scarabs which show the names of the 18th Dynasty pharaohs Thutmosis I and Thutmosis II. This display is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Can you find the name of Thutmosis II amongst the Thutmosis I scarabs?

In this beautiful 𓄤𓆑𓂋 display of scarabs 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣𓏪 at the MET, there is a collection with the names 𓂋𓈖𓏦 of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 and Thutmosis II 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖. Except there is a mistake in the display – one of the scarabs 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣𓏪 in the Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 section actually belonged to Thutmosis II 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖!

Can you find it? Scroll below to see the answer once you’ve looked!

It’s the scarab 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣 in the bottom row, second from the left! The throne names 𓂋𓈖𓏦 of Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 and Thutmosis II 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖 are very similar to each other – there is only a one hieroglyph difference between the two!

Let’s take a closer look at the names:

𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 – “Great 𓉻 is the Manifestation 𓆣 of the soul 𓂓 of Ra 𓇳” (Thutmosis I)

𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖 – “Great 𓉻 is the Manifestation 𓆣 of 𓈖 Ra 𓇳” (Thutmosis II)

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Tags hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, scarab, the met, thutmosis i, thutmosis ii

Reading Hieroglyphs

Book of the Dead

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date November 16, 2024

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺!

Book of the Dead on display at the British Museum!

There is so much going on in this little image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 from the British Museum!

The hieroglyphs for “Hail Osiris 𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁𓁹𓊨𓊹” are highlighted in this image

The first line has the inscription “𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁𓁹𓊨𓊹,” which would be translated as “Hail 𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁 Osiris 𓁹𓊨𓊹.”

I love the word “𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁,” because it has so many different meanings depending on the context! Phonetically, it would most likely be pronounced as “hey 𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁” which is one of the ways it can be translated! “𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁” can mean hey/hi/hello in some contexts, it can also mean “hail” like translated above, but it’s also sometimes translated as “cheer, rejoice, shout, or oh!.” If there is a different determinative after the first two symbols “𓉔𓇋𓇋,” it will also change the meaning!

I’ve mentioned this before but I love the “captions” that the ancient Egyptians would put next to gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹 and goddesses 𓊹𓊹𓊹𓏏 in the art so you know which deity you are looking at! In the bottom image you can see Isis 𓊨𓏏𓆇, Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪 and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 who are three prominent funerary deities with the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the deceased.

The hieroglyphs for important deities are highlighted in this image.

Isis 𓊨𓏏𓆇 and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 are also in the top image on the barge with the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the deceased. Much like how they would appear on coffins, Isis 𓊨𓏏𓆇 is always at the feet of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 while Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 is at the head of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾.

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

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Tags book of the dead, british museum, gods and goddesses, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs

Reading Hieroglyphs

Hatshepsut’s Ovoid Stone

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date August 28, 2024

This piece is known as an “Ovoid Stone” or a “Hammering Stone” and was probably used as a type of tool during building construction.

A closeup image of the Ovoid Stone and the hieroglyphs on it!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! I divided the inscription into two parts, and then translated each of the individual words so you can get a sense of the sentence structure used in the Middle/New Egyptian language!! Here’s the first row:

𓊹𓏏𓄤(𓇳𓁦𓂓)𓁹𓈖𓊃𓅓𓏠𓏍𓊃𓏛𓆑𓊃𓇋𓏠𓈖𓇳𓏺

𓊹𓏏𓄤 – Great Goddess

𓇳𓁦𓂓 – Maatkare

𓁹𓈖 – to make/to do/born of

𓊃 – she

𓅓 – for

𓏠𓏍𓊃𓏛- monument

𓆑 – father

𓊃 – her

𓇋𓏠𓈖𓇳𓏺 – Amun-Re

“The Great Goddess, Maatkare, she made the monument for her father, Amun-Re…”

And here’s the second row:

𓐍𓆑𓏸𓍱𓈙𓁷𓏸𓇋𓏠𓈖𓂦𓏛𓂦𓅱𓉐𓁹𓊃𓋹𓍘

𓐍𓆑 – in front of/at (a preposition)

𓏸𓍱𓈙 – Stretching of the Cord

𓁷𓏸 – over

𓇋𓏠𓈖 – Amun

𓂦𓏛𓂦𓅱𓉐 – Holiest of Holies

𓁹𓊃𓋹𓍘 – May She Live / That They Live

“…at the stretching of the cord over the Holiest of Holies Amun, May She Live!”

The “Stretching of the Cord” was part of the foundation ritual that occurred when a building was constructed in ancient Egypt. “Holiest of Holies” is the name for Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahri.

A larger view of the display that contains the Ovoid Stone

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Tags artifact, hatshepsut, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, the met

Reading Hieroglyphs

The King’s List and Hatshepsut

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date August 28, 2024

Me with the King’s List at the British Museum.

Here I am with the King’s List in the British Museum! In the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, I’m pointing to where Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 name 𓂋𓈖 should be because she was one of the pharaohs left off the list – she was left off because she was considered to be a non-legitimate pharaoh.

Me with the King’s List at the British Museum.

The point of the King Lists was not to preserve history for future generations, rather the main objective was to glorify the gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹, and as we know, pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 were considered gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹 on Earth. These lists allowed Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 and Rameses II 𓁩𓁛𓈘𓄟𓋴𓇓 to assert their legitimacy amongst the old pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 of Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖.

A closeup of the cartouches on the King’s List

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! We are going to look at the Throne Name cartouches of the 18th Dynasty pharaohs to show where Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 name is missing! We will start reading from the right since the hieroglyphs point in that direction!

𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 – Thutmosis I “Great is the manifestation of the soul of Ra”

𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖 – Thutmosis II “Great is the manifestation of Ra”

𓇳𓏠𓆣 – Tutmosis III “Lasting is the Manifestation of Ra”

𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖 – Amenhotep II “Great is the manifestation of Ra”

𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 – Thutmosis IV “Lasting are the Manifestations of Ra”

𓇳𓁧𓎠 – Amenhotep III “Possessor of the Truth of Ra”

As you can see, the cartouches jump right from Thutmosis II 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓈖 to Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 and totally skip Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓!

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Tags artifact, british museum, hatshepsut, hieroglyphs, seti i

Reading Hieroglyphs Ushabti Friends

Ushabtis and Hieroglyphs

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date August 28, 2024

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳, we are going to combine two of my favorite things: ushabtis 𓅱𓈙𓃀𓏏𓏭𓀾 and hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

This display combines two of my favorite things: Ushabtis and Hieroglyphs! This ushabti belonged to a woman named Isis and is on display at the MET.

This ushabti 𓅱𓈙𓃀𓏏𓏭𓀾 is made out of limestone 𓇋𓈖𓈙𓌉 and was made for a woman named Isis 𓊨𓏏𓆇𓁐 who was ironically a singer for the Aten 𓇋𓏏𓈖𓇳 !

This ushabti 𓐙𓏏𓂝𓊤 was made during the 18th Dynasty reign of Akhenaten 𓇋𓏏𓈖𓇳𓅜𓐍𓈖. The 18th Dynasty is almost the “golden age” of ushabtis 𓅱𓈙𓃀𓏏𓏭𓀾 because they undergo much development during this time period. It’s very easy to date this ushabti because the Aten 𓇋𓏏𓈖𓇳 was only worshipped during his reign! Also, the ushabti’s 𓅱𓈙𓃀𓏏𓏭𓀾 hands are crossed in a mummiform way and holding tools – another 18th Dynasty clue!

Here’s the full inscription on the ushabti: 𓇓𓂝𓏏𓈖𓅮𓇋𓏏𓈖𓇳 𓊨𓏏𓆇𓁐𓐙𓏏𓂝𓊤

Let’s break down the inscription by each individual word:

𓇓𓂝𓏏 – Singer

𓈖 – of

𓅮 – (indicates past tense)

𓇋𓏏𓈖𓇳 – Aten

𓊨𓏏𓆇𓁐 – Isis

𓐙𓏏𓂝𓊤 – True of Voice/justified

While limestone 𓇋𓈖𓈙𓌉 is not the most common material for ushabtis 𓅱𓈙𓃀𓏏𓏭𓀾 to be made out of, it’s not unheard of to have ushabtis 𓅱𓈙𓃀𓏏𓏭𓀾 like this during the 18th Dynasty period.

It always fascinates me that even though Akhenaten 𓇋𓏏𓈖𓇳𓅜𓐍𓈖 completely changed the whole ancient Egyptian religion during his reign, certain aspects of the original religion, such as ushabtis 𓅱𓈙𓃀𓏏𓏭𓀾, remained.

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Tags akhenaten, artifact, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, shabti, the met, ushabti, ushabti friends

Reading Hieroglyphs

The Tomb Chapel of Raemkai

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date August 28, 2024

The images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏥 in this post are from the West Wall of the Tomb Chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 of Raemkai. The West 𓋀𓏏𓏏𓈊 is significant in ancient Egypt because the West 𓋀𓏏𓏏𓈊 is the realm of the dead. In a typical tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 built during the Old Kingdom, the West Wall would have a False Door and then scenes that would be typical of offering rituals.

In the ancient Egyptian religion/culture, it was thought that the carvings on the walls of tombs 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐𓏪 could come to life. If people were depicted providing food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔𓏥 to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, then it was thought that the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 would have enough sustenance for the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!

Tomb Chapel of Raemkai -this first image shows a butchering scene

This first image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is a closeup of the wall to the right of the False Door, which shows a butchering 𓂋𓐍𓋴 scene. Meat 𓆑𓄹 was one of the most important offerings 𓂠𓏍 that could be given to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 which is why this type of scene would be included in a tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐.

While you can probably tell that the people in this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are butchering 𓂋𓐍𓋴𓌪 cattle 𓃒𓏦, in case you did not know, the ancient Egyptians put it in the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

In the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, you can see the word “𓂋𓐍𓋴” which means “to slaughter” or “to butcher.” This word can also be written as “𓂋𓐍𓋴𓌪” which is the same word but with the determinative at the end! I prefer it when the words have determinatives because it makes everything easier to read!

If you look closely, the 𓋴 symbol is actually carved backwards which confused me at first because if you read the word the opposite way, it becomes “𓋴𓂋𓐍” which translates as “to know/to learn” which does not make sense in the context of the scene!

So here are some new vocabulary words for you:

𓂋𓐍𓋴 to slaughter/to butcher

𓋴𓂋𓐍 to know/to learn

Tomb Chapel of Raemkai -this image shows a butchering scene

This second image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is also a closeup of the wall to the right of the False Door, which also shows a butchering 𓂋𓐍𓋴 scene. Meat 𓆑𓄹 was one of the most important offerings 𓂠𓏍 that could be given to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱!

While you can probably tell that the people in this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are butchering 𓂋𓐍𓋴𓌪 cattle 𓃒𓏦, in case you did not know, the ancient Egyptians put it in the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! I love these ancient Egyptian “captions” because there aren’t a lot of hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 so it’s not too overwhelming to translate if you’re just starting out!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Here is a breakdown of the inscription 𓊮𓇋𓆑𓏏𓆑𓄹:

𓊮 – to cook/to bake

𓇋𓆑𓏏 – bone marrow

𓆑𓄹 – meat

This tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 is on display at the MET and is absolutely beautiful to go in and explore! Here’s a tip for your next visit: it is kind of hidden and located directly across from the Blue Faience Tiles from Saqqara and it’s not very crowded so you can really enjoy it!

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

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Tags hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, old kingdom, the met

Reading Hieroglyphs

Uncommon Variant of Anubis

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date August 3, 2024

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳, at an uncommon variant of Anubis 𓇋𓋔𓊪𓅱𓀭! As you may know, Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 is my favorite word to spot (no matter the variant) in inscriptions!

This particular ‘spelling’ of Anubis’ name 𓂋𓈖 is a not-as- common variant of the common way to write his name which is “𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣.” However, even though some of the symbols are different, his name 𓂋𓈖 would still be pronounced the same! The proper way to say Anubis in Middle/New/Late Egyptian is “ı͗npw” (pronounced like “Inpu” or “Anpu”).

Anubis 𓇋𓋔𓊪𓅱𓀭 is my favorite Egyptian god 𓊹, so I love spotting the different variants of his name 𓂋𓈖! His name turns up a lot because Anubis 𓇋𓋔𓊪𓅱𓀭 is one of the main funerary gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹, and a large part of Egyptian artifacts that are in museums happen to be funerary objects 𓈎𓂋𓋴𓏏𓏏𓊭!

Can you spot the uncommon variant of Anubis “𓇋𓋔𓊪𓅱𓀭” in the inscription above?

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols!

The “reed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for “ı͗,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word “reed 𓇋𓏺.”

The “red crown 𓋔” is also a uniliteral phonogram. The “𓋔” is associated with the sound of “n,” just like the “ripple of water 𓈖.” This symbol can also act as a determinative for “red crown.”

The “stool 𓊪” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound “p.”

The “Quail Chick 𓅱” is one of the hieroglyphs that appears the most in inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word “chick 𓅱𓏺.”

The “seated god 𓀭” is a determinative symbol and isn’t pronounced! It acts as “punctuation” at the end of the name of a male god!

The name 𓂋𓈖 “Anubis” is actually the Greek version of his name, not the Middle Egyptian name 𓂋𓈖, so that is why the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 don’t match up with how we are so used to saying Anubis/Inpu/Anpu’s name 𓂋𓈖!

Here are some common variants of Anubis’ name:

𓇋𓋔𓊪𓅱𓀭 (the one pictured)

𓇋𓈖𓊪𓃣

𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣

𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓁢

𓇋𓈖𓊪

𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱

Which variant do you prefer? My favorite is 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣!

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

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Tags anubis, gods and goddesses, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, the met

Reading Hieroglyphs

The Owl Hieroglyph

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date July 19, 2024

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to look at one of the most common and recognizable uniliteral phonogram hieroglyphic symbols: the owl 𓅓! The owl hieroglyph is very unique because it is viewed head-on instead of in a profile view!

The Owl Hieroglyph from a Middle Kingdom coffin at the MET

I personally love the “owl 𓅓” hieroglyph because it reminds me of Hedwig from Harry Potter! I’ve been a huge Harry Potter fan since 2001 and whenever I see an owl it reminds me of my favorite books – especially when the hieroglyph is painted to look like a snowy owl! In ancient Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖, owls were seen as protective/guardian figures, which is exactly what Hedwig was to Harry! I love it when ancient Egyptian mythological themes persist through time!

A uniliteral sign is a hieroglyphic symbol that corresponds to a single sound, just like a letter in the alphabet. The “owl 𓅓” symbol represents the sound of “m” and it has many different uses!

The “owl 𓅓” symbol is one that appears in inscriptions all the time and is most commonly seen as part of other words! Some words that use the “owl 𓅓” symbol are:

𓅓𓂋 – Overseer

𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 – Kemet (Egypt)

𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 – Papyrus Roll

𓇍𓅓𓊵𓏏𓊪 – Imhotep

Of course these are not all the words that contain the “owl 𓅓” symbol!

But what happens if the “owl 𓅓” symbol appears by itself in an inscription and isn’t part of another word? The “owl 𓅓” symbol has its own meaning when it appears alone! I guess you can say it functions as the all-around preposition! For example, the “owl 𓅓” hieroglyph can mean: In, On, At, By, With, and As! This symbol has so many meanings/uses!

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Tags hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, the met

Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Cleopatra’s Needle (Part 2)

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date July 19, 2024
1 Comment on Cleopatra’s Needle (Part 2)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! This is my second post on Cleopatra’s Needle and here is a link to the first!

This obelisk 𓉶 was commissioned to be built by Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during his 18th Dynasty reign to highlight his military victories. On the obelisk 𓉶, not only can you see Thutmosis III’s 𓇳𓏠𓆣 throne name cartouche, but you can also see both the throne name and birth name of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II! Rameses II usurped this monument, as he did with the monuments of many past pharaohs! He not only put his cartouches, but at the top of the obelisk 𓉶 his Horus Name also appears in the serekh!

A closeup image of the hieroglyphs on Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park!

The name 𓂋𓈖 Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 is Thutmosis III’s throne name and it appears multiple times on the obelisk. The name 𓂋𓈖 translates to “Lasting is the Manifestation of Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra

𓏠 – Lasting

𓆣 – Manifestation

The name 𓂋𓈖 “Ramessu Mery Amun 𓁩𓁛𓈘𓄟𓋴𓇓” is Rameses II’s birth name. The name 𓂋𓈖 translates to “Ra has fashioned him, beloved of Amun,” but could also be translated as “Ra Bore Him, Beloved of Amun.”

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

𓈘 – Beloved

𓄟𓋴𓇓 – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

The name 𓂋𓈖 “Usermaatre setep en Ra 𓇳𓄊𓁧𓇳𓍉𓈖” is Rameses II’s throne name and translates to “The Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra

𓄊 – Powerful

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

𓍉𓈖 – Chosen

Can you spot the three different cartouches in my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏? I will probably be doing another post on the inscriptions and their meaning so look out for that post too!

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!

Tags artifact, cleopatra's needle, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, rameses ii, thutmosis iii

Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Mummy of Ukhotep

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 30, 2024

This is the coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱 and mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of a man named Ukhotep 𓋂𓊵𓏏𓊪. Ukhotep 𓋂𓊵𓏏𓊪 lived during the 12th dynasty (Middle Kingdom) and he was the chief treasurer 𓋨𓅱, which is why he probably received such gorgeous 𓄤 funerary equipment 𓈎𓂋𓋴𓏏𓏏𓊭.

The Mummy of Ukhotep on display at the MET

Ukhotep 𓋂𓊵𓏏𓊪 had a wooden coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱 inscribed with parts of the Coffin Texts, which were spells 𓎛𓂓𓏛𓏦 that the deceased needed in order to gain magical powers in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. This coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱 and mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 is very typical of the Middle Kingdom burials (not just because of the styles/materials used for both the coffin and mask) but because the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 was placed on his side inside of the wooden coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱, which allowed him to see out of the coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱 through the eyes on the side! My Nonno always told me about this fact when I was little, and I was always fascinated by this funerary practice!

The Mummy of Ukhotep with hieroglyphs on his coffin! Learn how to read the hieroglyphs below!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Here is the inscription: 𓇓𓏏𓊵𓏙𓁹𓊨𓎟𓈖𓅘𓎛𓎛𓇳 𓏅𓈖𓏏𓍋𓃀𓈋𓊖𓉻𓎟𓆄𓏏

Here is a breakdown of the inscription:

𓇓𓏏𓊵𓏙 – An Offering the King Gives

𓁹𓊨 – Osiris (his name is missing the determinative this time – usually it’s written as 𓁹𓊨𓀭)

𓎟 – Lord

𓈖𓅘𓎛𓎛𓇳 – Eternity

𓏅 – Foremost

𓈖𓏏 – of

𓍋𓃀𓈋𓊖 – Abydos

𓊹𓀭 – God

𓉻 – Great

𓎟 -Lord

𓆄𓏏 – Maat

Fun Fact: “𓈖𓏏” is also another way to spell the name of the goddess Neith but it can also mean “of” and a bunch of other filler-type words!

The variant of “eternity 𓈖𓅘𓎛𓎛𓇳” used in this inscription is very Middle Kingdom too – I rarely see this one used ever!! Usually the typical “𓎛𓇳𓎛” is used!

The Mummy of Ukhotep with some of his other funerary equipment including his canopic jar case (near the head of the mummy)

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!

Tags artifact, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, the met

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