Category: Egyptian Artifacts

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Amun and Horemheb

This is a limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ with the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–. This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is special because my Nonno took it at the Museo Egizio in Torino, Italy.

Amun and Horemheb
Statue of Amun (left) and the pharaoh Horemheb (right) at the Museo Egizio in Torino, Italy

Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– was the final pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 18th Dynasty, having taken over the throne from Ay 𓇳𓆣𓆣π“ͺ𓁹𓐙𓏏. Before he was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– was the commander of the army for the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“. He continued the restoration of traditional Egyptian religious practices that Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ began, and he also usurped a lot of monuments from both Ay 𓇳𓆣𓆣π“ͺ𓁹𓐙𓏏 and Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“. 

Let’s take a closer look at the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! The god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ (left) is depicted larger than Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– (right) because the only person more important than the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 himself was another god π“ŠΉ! 

Amun and Horemheb
A closer view of the hieroglyphic inscription that appears on either side of Amun’s throne on the statue.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to start on the left side of Amun’s throne!Β 

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Perfect God 

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Horemheb (Throne Name – The sacred one of the manifestations of Ra, chosen of Ra)

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŒΊπ“‡Œ – Beloved

𓏙𓋹- Given Life

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š— the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– reads: “The Perfect God, Lord of the Two Lands, Horemheb, Beloved of Amun-Ra, Given Life.”

Now let’s look at the left side of the throne: 

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŒΊπ“„Ώπ“‹”π“π“Ž± – Horemheb (Birth Name – Horus in Jubilation, whom Amun has loved)

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŒΊπ“‡Œ – Beloved

𓏙𓋹- Given Life

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š— the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– reads: “Son of Ra, Lord of Appearances, Horemheb, Beloved of Amun-Ra, Given Life.”

While the last part of the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is the same on either side of the throne, the titles are different because of Horemheb’s birth name versus the throne name! Different titles in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are associated with each name π“‚‹π“ˆ–!

Notice how the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are mirrored on either side of the throne! This makes it so all of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are facing Amun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ legs! The ancient Egyptians loved to have symmetry in their art!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ushabti of Amenhotep III

One of the things I love so much about ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures is the fact that they are all so different! Even ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures from the same time period have a lot of variation! For example, ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that are from the same burial can contain many different types of ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ! Many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ that belonged to the 18th Dynasty pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 contained a combination of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺, faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, and stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures!Β 

Ushabti of Amenhotep III
A mummiform ushabti of pharaoh Amenhotep III (left) on display at the Louvre in Paris, France. This ushabti is made of red granite, which is unusual!

The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ on the left side of this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† and was found in his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in the Valley of the Kings. In the Louvre, this piece is listed as β€œMummiform Funerary Servant (Serviteur FunΓ©raire Momiforme)” which basically means a ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ that looks like a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! This particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ! 

The word “mummiform” is used by Egyptologists to describe various artifacts that look like a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! So what characteristics makes this ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ mummiform?Β  The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is fashioned in the style of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­; its crossed arms are holding a crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ…. Much like the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ (at least those who could afford it) were also laid to rest in this fashion. The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is also wearing the false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ, and the white crown π“„€π“‹‘ with a uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 (that is hard to see but is still there).Β 

This ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ has a lot of beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ engraved on it, but the text is too small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© for me to see! The only thing I can really make out is the cartouche of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†.

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ancient Egyptian Beads

I love ancient Egyptian jewelry 𓂝𓏏𓍒 – especially the beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦! One of the reasons I love it so much are the bright and beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 colors! It always amazes me how these beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 colors are probably just as bright today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ as they were thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years ago!Β 

Ancient Egyptian Beads
An ancient Egyptian necklace that is displayed how it was found – just the beads, no string! These beads are dated to the reign of Amenhotep III (18th Dynasty) and are at the MET.

Fun fact: most of the necklaces π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹π“¦ that are displayed in museums have been re-strung because over time, the fine threading used to actually string the beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦 together decomposes or disintegrates, and just leaves the beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦 behind until they are found by archaeologists! 

These beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦 have not been restrung into a necklace π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹, instead they are displayed as they were found. I honestly don’t know which way I like better; the reconstructed necklaces π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹π“¦ that are restrung, or the necklaces π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹π“¦ displayed such as these! 

These beads 𓋴𓅓𓂧𓏏𓏯𓏸𓏦 were found at Amenhotep III’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† palace at Malqata and are dated to his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“.  The House of Rejoicing (the name of his palace) and the surrounding villages at Malqata were preserved really well, and it is considered to be one of the most best town sites preserved in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

Lets’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! See if you can spot this on the tiles/inlays on the top of the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏! 

π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (throne name for Amenhotep III)

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

Do you like ancient Egyptian jewelry 𓂝𓏏𓍒? Let me know your favorite type!!Β 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Tomb Chapel of Raemkai

This beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 raised relief is part of a much larger tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 that is on display at the MET. This tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 belonged to a man named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Raemkai, however, it was originally built for someone else! This was originally built for an official named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Neferiretnes, and he either fell out of favor or his family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 could no longer care for the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ so it was then repurposed for Raemkai! 

Tomb Chapel of Raemkai
These two women are personifications of various cities, as indicated by the hieroglyphs which accompany the images. This raised relief is from the tomb chapel of Raemkai at the MET.

The tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 is where family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 members of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 would leave offerings for their loved ones. This tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 also typically contains a False Door. False Doors served as ways for the living relatives to make offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. The False Door acted as a link between the land of the living and the land of the dead.

This particular relief is from the east 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭 wall of the tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐 which shows a total of twenty-two π“Ž†π“Ž†π“» women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ carrying baskets of various goods on their heads. These woman are not servants, which can be inferred by the sophisticated types of jewelry 𓂝𓏏𓍒 they are wearing: broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦, bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛π“ͺ, anklets, and even very fancy wigs 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸𓏦! 

These twenty-two π“Ž†π“Ž†π“» women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ are actually personifications of various places; both Egyptian and foreign. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ next to each woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ names the village or estates that they represent! We know that these are names of locations/villages due to the β€œπ“Š–β€ determinative hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ that appears at the end of each word! The β€œπ“Š–β€ is the determinative for village/city! 

I love this tomb chapel 𓀻𓋴𓉐, but it is so hard to take good pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 due to the lightning!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Gilded Wooden Coffin

The British Museum has so many different sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦ in their collection that it was almost overwhelming trying to see everything! I loved getting to see all of the different types of coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ/sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦!

Gilded Wooden Coffin
A wooden coffin at the British Museum that was once fully covered in gold leaf. This was a popular way to make coffins seem like they were made of solid gold in ancient Egypt!

This particular sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­, or it is better defined as a β€œmummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾” due to its human appearance instead of an oval or rectangular shape. These mummiform coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are usually made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 with a gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf overlay. This is a really cool ancient Egyptian β€œtrick” because the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf makes it look like the sarcophagus 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is made of pure gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ when it is not! Gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ is classified as a metal which means it is extremely malleable. Malleability is the ability of a metal to be hammered into very thin sheets. The gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf overlaying this sarcophagus 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is probably thinner than aluminum foil! 

I love pieces like this that are a little β€œworn” because it allows you a deeper look into the processes by which they were made! There is a hole in the forehead, which is where the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 would be and the missing gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf allows the underlying wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 to be seen. The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 have stood the test of time and are still striking! 

There are three 𓏼 common ways to write β€œcoffin” or β€œsarcophagus” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. There are definitely other variants, but this is what I have come across most often! 

𓅱𓇋𓀾 – The Mummiform Coffin, which usually takes on a human shape

π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± – A coffin, usually made of wood (hence the determinative for β€œwood 𓆱” in the word) 

π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ – A sarcophagus, usually made of stone in a rectangular or oval shape. 

This is where translating English and Middle Egyptian together can be a tiny bit difficult because we tend to use all of these words interchangeably in English!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Pendura and Nefertari

This is a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 my Nonno took at the Museo Egizio in Torino, Italy.Β That is the main reason why I love this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 so much; I love seeing Egyptian artifacts through the eyes of my Nonno! I wish I could have visited the Museo Egizio with him!

Statue of Pendura and Nefertari
Statue of Pendura and Nefertari at the Museo Egizio in Torino, Italy

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 depicts Pendura, a scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ and his wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 Nefertari. This is a very typical β€œcouples statue,” which is a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 that depicts a husband π“‰”π“„Ώπ“‡Œπ“‚Ίπ“€€ and wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 embracing π“‡‹π“†›π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“€œ. They are both also wearing stylish wigs 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸𓏦.Β 

If you look closely in between Pendura and Nefertari, you can see one of their daughters 𓅭𓏏π“₯ carved into the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾.Β  The back of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 contains invocations to the gods, including Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€, Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί, Mut 𓏏𓅑𓁐, Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€―, and Atum π“‡‹π“π“‚Ÿπ“€­.Β 

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was found at Deir el-Medina, and was originally located in a funeral chapel. The funeral chapel would be where family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 members left offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, as those offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 would help to sustain their kas π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ (souls). This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dated to the 19th Dynasty reign π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“.

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Hedgehog Amulet

I think hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ are such cute little animals!! I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things, so a hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† is perfect for me because both hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ and amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©! This particular blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› is from the Petrie Museum in London! Plus, I think hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ are such cute animals!

Hedgehog Amulet
A blue faience hedgehog amulet at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London

The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ a lot in both their daily life and afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! No matter who was wearing it, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ had the same function: to invoke magical protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the wearer! Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ could represent gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“, everyday objects, hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰, animals, and many other things! While many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were usually placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 on their journey to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife), amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ could also be worn by the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ too! 

In ancient Egypt, the hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› was associated with rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±, which is a concept central to the ancient Egyptian religion. This association occurred because when food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ is scarce, hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ will retreat into their underground burrows for long periods of time. Hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ only re-emerge from their burrows during times of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ abundance. This disappearing/appearing pattern strongly correlated with the concept of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± to the ancient Egyptians. 

Hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were placed in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ in order to invoke rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. Hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were also thought to provide protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ against snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 bites. Most hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are dated to the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom, with their popularity peaking around the 18th Dynasty. 

β€œHedgehog” can be written in two 𓏻 ways in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­

π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

A “Ushabti Army”

I refer to this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 as the β€œUshabti Army” – it’s no secret how much I absolutely love ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ (all thanks to how much my Nonno loved them)!Β 

Ushabti Army
A “Ushabti Army” at the Vatican Museum!

My Nonno took this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 when we were at the Vatican Museum together π“ˆ–π“Š—! Sometimes it takes me a while to want to share my Nonno’s pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 because I’m selfish and want to keep them to myself, but I also want to share his pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 with everyone so we can all remember him together π“ˆ–π“Š—. I guess it’s all a balance. Plus, his birthday is this week, so I am very sad about that because I miss my Nonno so much.Β 

So why did a deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person have a β€œUshabti Army?” People who could afford it were buried with over 400 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 ushabtisΒ  π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ! Usually there were 365 π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ worker ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ (one for each day of the year) and then overseer ushabtis! The overseers ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were there to make sure all of the others were doing their work!Β 

The ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are made of clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡/terracotta. During the 3rd Intermediate Period, these materials replaced the popular stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ or faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ. So many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ have been found from this time period that many of them were sold or given to museums around the world 𓇾𓇾. Did you know that there were so many that the Egyptian Museum in Cairo even sold authentic ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ to tourists at one point?! 

Fun Fact: the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ had originally calculated the year to be 365 π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ days, and then they revised it to 365.25 days – which is the actual length modern scientists calculated based on the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 revolution around the Sun 𓇳𓏺! How incredible is that?!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

False Door of Tjetji and Debet

This is an incomplete False Door (right and left panels) and a door jamb (upper panel) from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 and his wife Debet. False Doors are an extremely important part of ancient Egyptian funerary practices. False Doors served as ways for the living relatives to make offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. The False Door acted as a link between the land of the living and the land of the dead.

False Door of Tjetji and Debet
False Door of Tjetji (left) and Debet (right) with their door jamb (top) at the British Museum.

This Large piece is from the 4th Dynasty reign of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘. Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ is one of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 that built the Great Pyramids at Giza, and Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 was clearly part of the action! 

The top panel shows Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 and Debet sitting at an offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ underneath the offering table show that bread 𓏐,  beer π“Š, linen π“‹² and alabaster 𓍱 were offered to them. On either side of the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 is a palace-facade, which still shows some signs of red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ and black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦. 

Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 (left) has the title of β€œKing’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏.” The title β€œKing’s Acquaintance π“‡“π“‚‹π“π“β€œ is taken to mean that the person was close to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 is also referred to as the β€œOverseer of the Pyramid of Khafre π“…“π“‚‹(π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘)𓅨𓉴,” so clearly Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 had a lot going on! This is probably why Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 and his wife Debet got such a nice burial! 

On the side with Debet (right) their children’s names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“₯ are all written out! 

Can you spot Khafre’s π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the relief? It shows up quite a few times!! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Senemut and Neferure

This is a beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… and Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 – and I love these types of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ because they were seemingly invented by Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… himself and also give some insight into this time period!

Senemut and Neferure
A statue of Senemut holding Neferure (The Louvre)

Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓. Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… 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-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her. But honestly, no one really knows how Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… climbed the social ranks so dramatically and we probably never will! 

This is a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… holding Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and many of these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ exist, however, this one is a tiny bit different than some of the other similar statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ I have seen. This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 wrapped in a blanket and being held tight by Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…. Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 has a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on her head (like royalty) and also at her feet. Was this Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on her head to show that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ intended for Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 to rule as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 after her? 

There are many differing theories on Senemut’s relationship with Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓. Many believe (including myself) that they were having an affair. There’s even graffiti from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ builders in some unfinished tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ that show that they too believed that Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 and Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… were romantically involved. Gossiping about relationships seems to have always been something that people have done! 

It has even been speculated by some, based off of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ such as the one I have pictured, that Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… was actually Neferure’s 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 father 𓇋𓏏𓀀!