Category: Egyptian Artifacts

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ritual Statue

A β€œRitual Statue” was used in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– on processional boats to show the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 worshipping the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. Usually, the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ that appeared on these processional/ceremonial boats were of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ exclusively. This particular ritual statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is the earliest one found from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– that depicts a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

Ritual Statue
Ritual Statue of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Thutmosis III on display at the MET

Another important aspect of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is that it is made of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ – with the exception of a few Middle Kingdom examples, this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 seems to be the start of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statuary in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!  Both ritual statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ and bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statuary became much more common during the Third Intermediate and Late Periods. 

My Nonno loved bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statuary, and I do too because they are always so well preserved and the details can easily be seen! On this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in particular, the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ around the eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 is still intact (some of the gold was restored) as is the nemset jar π“Œπ“Ί! The inlays in the eyebrows are missing, but might have been gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ or stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ. While an arm 𓂝𓏺 may be missing, this gives us insight into the artistic ingenuity of the Egyptian artisans; the arms 𓂝𓏦 attach perfectly into the grooves provided, which allowed for more detailed work! 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dated to the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom) and we know that because the throne name of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 appears on the belt that the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is wearing! Kneeling bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 dated to the New Kingdom are extremely rare! 

Egyptologists can also date this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 to the 18th Dynasty based on the clothes it is wearing; the combination of the Khepresh Crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and the way the skirt is styled (longer in the front) are very typical pharaonic fashion for the 18th Dynasty! 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is also very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© and is only 5 inches (13.1 cm) tall! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Thoth on a Coffin

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ – with the god π“ŠΉ of writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ himself, Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭! I love Thoth 𓅝because I love hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and he’s my second favorite Egyptian deity!Β Let’s take a look at a depiction of Thoth on a coffin!

Thoth on a Coffin
Thoth on a Coffin depicted as an Ibis with a human body.

This photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows some details 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.). Elaborately decorated coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are very typical of this time period and I love just looking at them and enjoying the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 art!

Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭 was represented in multiple ways, and was always associated with either the baboon or the ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀. When in humanoid form (like on this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾), he was represented as a human body with the head of an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀. 

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ that are to the left of Thoth! 

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By

π“…€ – Thoth (β€œDjeuty” in Middle Egyptian)

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ – Hieroglyphs (β€œDivine Words/Writing”)

Thoth π“…€π“€­ was thought to have invented writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, and was thus the god π“ŠΉ of all record keeping, hence the epithet β€œLord of the Divine Words/Writing π“ŽŸπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒ.” Due to his vast knowledge, π“‚‹π“π“π“œ Thoth π“Ÿ was thought to know magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ and secrets π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“†Ÿπ“›π“¦ that were unknown to the rest of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon. He was also the god π“ŠΉ of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ.

Thoth π“…€ has many ways to write his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs! Here are a few of them: 

π“…€π“€­ 

π“…€

𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭

𓅝𓏏𓏭

π“Ÿ

Most of the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon have many variations of ways to write their names in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ!

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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–. 

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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. 

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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.Β 

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.Β 

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. 

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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! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Talatat Blocks

These small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© β€œTalatat” Blocks are made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and were used solely during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–! These were used in the construction of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Karnak (this construction started when he was still Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€) and the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

Talatat Blocks
Talatat Blocks from the palace at Akhetaten on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ Talatat blocks were unique because they were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© a single worker could carry them and put it into place. This was meant to expedite construction and make building a lot faster. The Talatat are also unique because they were only used during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, and were never used again.Β 

These Talatat at the Brooklyn Museum were once brightly painted in striking colors, as was most of the Egyptian monuments 𓏠𓏍. These specific blocks are from the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, which is where Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grew up! These blocks reconstruct a pastoral scene. 

However, the Talatat were not found at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–; instead these blocks were reused by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ to build a pylon at Magna. The Talatat that are now seen in museums all over have been found in other places because the blocks were reused when other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ took the throne. They were also reused by Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–. The famous Hypostyle Hall at Karnak (started by Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ– and completed by Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“) is built with Talatat! 

Tens of thousands of Talata have been found across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and I’m sure that there are still many more to be found!Β 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Coffin Fragment of Isis

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

This is a coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 fragment (Late Period, Dynasties 26-31 c. 664-332 B.C.E.) that shows the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“†— in mourning. Since in Egyptian mythology Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ assisted in the resurrection of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, it was believed that she would be instrumental in the rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 which is why she was always seen on coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ or the on the foot panel of sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦.Β This coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ fragment of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is breathtaking in person!

Coffin Fragment of Isis
Me with the Coffin Fragment of Isis at the Brooklyn Museum

It’s usually easy to tell when Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“†— is being depicted in Egyptian art because she is wearing the same hieroglyphic symbol on her head that appears in her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, which is the throne symbol π“Š¨!! Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“†— is shown wearing a white outfit, a broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ and two 𓏻 green 𓇅𓄿𓆓𓏛 bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛π“ͺ which seem to blend in to her green 𓇅𓄿𓆓𓏛 skin. The green 𓇅𓄿𓆓𓏛 skin symbolizes life π“‹Ή and rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±.Β 

Coffin Fragment of Isis
Coffin Fragment of Isis

This is the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– in the right column: β€œπ“†“π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“†—π“…¨π“‚‹π“ŠΉπ“…β€

π“†“π“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By

π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“†— Isis (Isis is more commonly written like this β€œπ“Š¨π“π“₯β€œ or β€œ π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“₯”)

π“…¨π“‚‹ – the Great (greatness)

π“ŠΉ – God

𓅐 – Mother 

Put together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– reads: β€œWords spoken by Isis, the great God’s Mother…” The rest of the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on this column is cut off. 

On the left column, the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– starts of with β€œπ“Ήπ“ˆ–β€ which translates to β€œborn of” and then it says the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–of a person which is hard for me to translate because I can’t tell what bird symbol is being used! The last part of the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– seems to say β€œtrue of voice π“™π“Š€,” but again it’s hard to tell because it’s cut off!

When I saw this piece I really liked it because of how colorful it was! No matter how many times I see artifacts in museums, I’m always shocked by how bright the colors still are on some objects! 

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