Category: Egyptian Artifacts

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Akhenaten or Nefertiti?

The MET has this piece listed as β€œHead of Akhenaten or Nefertiti” but to me, the head looks more like Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ than Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! Let me know who you think this piece looks more like in the comments!  

This piece is dated to c. 1353–1336 B.C.E., which unsurprisingly is during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. The piece was found during the 1891-1892 excavations of Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– (present-day Amarna) by Flinders Petrie and Howard Carter. 

The bust was found in one of the sculptor’s π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€ workshops. The sculptor’s π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€ workshops in Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– have been the source of many beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 pieces from this time period. I love the artifacts that are found in an unfinished state because it gives such insight into how these incredible ancient Egyptian artists worked and it shows that even the most grand of pieces started off in humble states! If this piece had been finished, would it have looked like the famous Bust of Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­? Or was the piece just meant to be a trial piece and this was what it was supposed to look like?

One of my favorite things about this account is I get to learn as I am teaching! I did not know the word for β€œsculptor π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€β€ off the top of my head so I looked it up! One of the alternative translations for β€œsculptor π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€β€œ is β€œLife Giver” which I find so fascinating – it really gives insight into the Egyptian culture because the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 or statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a person could give 𓏙 life π“‹Ή to them after death! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Apis Bull

These are bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒. The worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 can actually be traced back to as early as the First Dynasty! 

The Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 was associated with fertility and rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± and was mostly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– near the Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± Temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰. People would travel from various locations to the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ just to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒, and the mother 𓅐𓏏 of the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒. 

While Hathor 𓉑 is probably the most famous of the cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 was also very widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 and represented eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› and the harmonious balance of the whole universe. The Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 was usually associated with the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 which is probably why a lot of pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were referred to with the title of the β€œstrong bull 𓂑𓃒.” This was to represent the strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 and vitality of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Usually a live bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ was used to be worshipped, and the bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ needed to have special markings on it such as a triangle shape on its forehead, or patches that represented wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ on its body. When the bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ that was being worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 died, it was embalmed π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž and buried elaborately. A new bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ would then take its place. 

One of the easiest ways to recognize the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 in statuary is by looking for the sun disc 𓇳 on its head, and the elaborate cloth that is decorating the back of its body. In this picture it’s hard to see the triangle on its forehead that usually represented the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒, but it is there! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Great Sphinx of Tanis

Did you know that this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ in the Louvre is one of the largest outside of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–?

The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is known as the β€œGreat Sphinx of Tanis” because it was found in the ruins of the Temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ in Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š–! Tanis π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– from the 21st-23rd Dynasties. 

The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ which is an extremely strong 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 and durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™! Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ was very valued not only for its pink color but its durability. As you can see, the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ retained its beautiful π“„€ features really well due to the characteristics of the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™

This sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is so interesting because the cartouches of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 Merneptah π“‡³π“ƒ’π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ (19th Dynasty) and Sheshonq I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Œ»π“†·π“†·π“ˆ–π“ˆŽ (22nd Dynasty) are both seen on the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€.  Why are two 𓏻 pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ there?  Well, the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used to recycle monuments, a process called “usurping.” The practice of usurping was when the current pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 would take old pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ off of monuments 𓏠𓏍 and put their own there! It is basically ancient plagiarism and it occurred quite frequently. 

Some Egyptologists say this sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ actually dates back to the Old Kingdom, as the face 𓁢𓏺 doesn’t represent any known pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! A book that I have says the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ dates to the Middle Kingdom. We will probably never know when the sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ was carved which is both fascinating and frustrating at the same time! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Painted Wooden Stela

This painted wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is an absolutely beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 piece from the Third Intermediate Period (22nd Dynasty, c. 825–712 B.C.E.) and one of my favorites to see at the MET. 

Painted Wooden Stela at the MET

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ depicts the god π“ŠΉ Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 leading the deceased woman, Tjanetiset, to the deity π“ŠΉ Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€. This imagery 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is very common on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ from this time period. Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ is the combination of the deities Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and he is the god π“ŠΉ of the morning sun π“…ƒπ“ˆŒπ“π“­π“€­. Images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦  and depictions of Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ in funerary art became more prominent during the Late Period. 

I love this piece so much because it looks like Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and the woman Tjanetiset are holding hands and he is leading her to Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€! What’s very interesting is what is in Tjanetiset’s other hand! If you look closely, she is holding a heart in her hand 𓇋𓃀𓄣 and it looks like she is holding it in an offering position to Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€. 

In ancient Egyptian religion/culture, the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not only the center of a person’s life π“‹Ή, but also thinking, memory, and moral values. The heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not removed during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process, because the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person would need it on their journey through the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Akhenaten and Nefertiti

When I went to the Louvre in 2015, this was one of my must-see pieces! The love story of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— has always fascinated me . This painted limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 reminds me of the popular β€œcouples statues,” which depict a husband and wife sitting together, that were prominent in burials during the Old Kingdom!

Akhenaten and Nefertiti

Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— was the β€œGreat Royal Wife π“‡“π“π“ˆžπ“π“…¨β€ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This statue depicts Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— (left) and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (right) holding hands and walking forward. We know they are walking forward because one foot is placed in front of the other. 

Let’s talk about their clothing! They both have sandals 𓍿𓃀𓏏𓋸π“ͺ on their feet and wearing broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦, the necklace π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ of choice for royals and the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is also wearing the blue Khepresh crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ on his head, while Nefertiti appears to be wearing what looks like the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹”, but there is blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on it! . The Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is still present on the front of both crowns! 

What was the purpose of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾? This most likely came from a private home, where it was used in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“—. The common people would worship Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— because they were thought to be manifestations 𓆣𓆣𓆣 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ here on Earth. 

The typical Amarna-style (elongated faces and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) is present here, which makes it very easy to identify these figures as Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. The Amarna art revolution is so interesting because Egyptian art didn’t change much until Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule, then there was this drastic change, and then once Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– died, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ reverted back to the traditional art style and it stated that way for the rest of the civilization. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Small Animal Statues

I love this display at the MET because not only do I love tiny things, but these small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© animal statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ have a lot of significance!

Small Animal Statues on display at the MET! In the front is the jasper hippo, then the amethyst monkey holding its baby, and behind that is the three jerboas.

Let’s first talk about the red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ jasper hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―! Instead of the usual standing position, this hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― is laying down and might have been used as an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† because there is actually a hole going through it! In Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ were both feared and respected π“ˆ™π“†‘π“„… because they were one of the most dangerous animals in the Nile Valley 𓇗. However, hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ were also thought to be powerful protectors π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ against evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨, which is what this amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† would have done for the wearer! This piece is dated to the New Kingdom. 

The amethyst figure behind the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― is of a monkey π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“„› holding its baby! This piece is dated to the Middle Kingdom but it is very similar in style to some Old Kingdom pieces that are also at the MET! Monkeys π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“„›π“ͺ are not native to Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and were actually pets for the very wealthy. This figure also has a loophole in it and would have been used as an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†. Usually the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of a mother and child is associated with fertility and rebirth. 

The three little figures behind the amethyst monkey π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“„› are little desert rodents called β€œjerboa π“Ž›π“Ώπ“‹΄π“„›. I thought they were mice π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“„› at first and had to look up jerboa in both English and hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ – I love learning new things! The symbolic meaning of these Middle Kingdom statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are unknown, but they were buried with someone! The jerboa π“Ž›π“Ώπ“‹΄π“„› is a small desert rodent and these animals first show up as statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ during this time period; none have been found dated to the Old Kingdom! 

Small Animal Statues
Small Animal Statues on display at the MET

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Cleopatra’s Needle (Part 2)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This is my second post on Cleopatra’s Needle and here is a link to the first!

This obelisk 𓉢 was commissioned to be built by Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during his 18th Dynasty reign to highlight his military victories. On the obelisk 𓉢, 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 𓉢 his Horus Name also appears in the serekh! 

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

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 is Thutmosis III’s throne name and it appears multiple times on the obelisk. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œLasting is the Manifestation of Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra

𓏠 – Lasting

𓆣 – Manifestation

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRamessu Mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“β€ is Rameses II’s birth name. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun,” but could also be translated as β€œRa Bore Him, Beloved of Amun.”

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œUsermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–β€ is Rameses II’s throne name and translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Powerful

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – 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!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Cleopatra’s Needle (Part 1)

β€œCleopatra’s Needle” aka the Obelisk 𓉢 in Central Park is one of the most beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 sights in Manhattan!

Cleopatra's Needle
Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park

This obelisk 𓉢 (and another, which now resides in London) was not commissioned by Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇; in fact, it was commissioned by Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during his 18th Dynasty reign. The obelisks 𓉢 stood at the city of Heliopolis at one of Thutmosis III’s 𓇳𓏠𓆣 temples. The obelisk 𓉢 is made out of β€œAswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆβ€ which was the third most used rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ by the ancient Egyptians!

Cleopatra's Needle
Me with Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park

When the obelisks were discovered by the Romans, they were moved from Heliopolis to Alexandria and placed at a temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ dedicated to Julius Caesar. The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was commissioned by Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇, which is probably why the obelisks have the nickname β€œCleopatra’s Needle.” 

Cleopatra's Needle
A closeup of me and Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park!

The two obelisks were given by the Egyptian government as gifts; one is in London, and one is in Central Park in NYC! The obelisk is super close to the MET, so it’s great to go and see before or after your museum trip! 

Cleopatra's Needle
William the Hippo with the obelisk!

I’m going to do another post about the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the obelisk 𓉢, so here is the link to that post!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statues of Imhotep

When it comes to ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, I’m obsessed with a couple of different things in particular: Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, Ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, and Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ! I love going to see the statues of Imhotep at the museum and my Nonno always made it into a game – #IFoundImhotepΒ 

Statues of Imhotep
Me (and William) with the Statues of Imhotep on display at the MET

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was a real man that lived during Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– third dynasty (around 2700 B.C.E.) during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Djoser 𓂦𓂋. While Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is best known for being the architect of Djoser’s Step Pyramid (and Egypt’s first ever pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴), he was also a high priest π“ŠΉπ“› of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛! After his death, Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ became one of the few non-royal Egyptians to be deified.Β 

Statues of Imhotep
The Statues of Imhotep showing the quartzite one on the left and the bronze one on the right. The middle statue is a seated scribe and is not Imhotep.

There is not much that is known about Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ as a person while he was alive; most of what we know about Imhotep was written at the earliest 1,200 years after his death! Referred to as β€œSebayt π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“‡Œπ“π“›β€ in Middle Egyptian, these β€œinstructions” or β€œteachings” refer to Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ as a great physician and a writer! One text from the 20th Dynasty called β€œEulogy of Dead Writers” even states β€œIs there another like Imhotep?” 

Statues of Imhotep
The bronze Imhotep statue. Most statues of Imhotep look like this one!

Most statues of Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ are made of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ (like you can see on the right side of this display) and are dated to the Ptolemaic Period, because that was when Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped.Β 

The quartzite statue of Imhotep. It is not common to see Imhotep in stone, so this piece is a treat to see on display at the MET.

The statue of Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ on the left is so interesting because it is not made of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ – it is made of the metamorphic rock quartzite!Β 

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

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Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Mummy of Ukhotep

This is the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± and mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of a man named Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ. Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ lived during the 12th dynasty (Middle Kingdom) and he was the chief treasurer 𓋨𓅱, which is why he probably received such gorgeous π“„€ funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­.Β 

Mummy of Ukhotep
The Mummy of Ukhotep on display at the MET

Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ had a wooden coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± inscribed with parts of the Coffin Texts, which were spells π“Ž›π“‚“π“›π“¦ that the deceased needed in order to gain magical powers in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. This coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± 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 π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±, which allowed him to see out of the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± through the eyes on the side!Β My Nonno always told me about this fact when I was little, and I was always fascinated by this funerary practice!

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

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is the inscription: π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŽŸπ“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³ π“…π“ˆ–π“π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š–π“‰»π“ŽŸπ“†„π“

Here is a breakdown of the inscription: 

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ – An Offering the King Gives

π“Ήπ“Š¨ – Osiris (his name is missing the determinative this time – usually it’s written as π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­)

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³ – Eternity 

𓏅 – Foremost 

π“ˆ–π“ – of

π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š– – Abydos

π“ŠΉπ“€­ – God

𓉻 – Great

π“ŽŸ -Lord 

𓆄𓏏 – Maat

Fun Fact: β€œπ“ˆ–π“β€ is also another way to spell the name of the goddess Neith but it can also mean β€œof” and a bunch of other filler-type words!

The variant of β€œeternity π“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³β€ used in this inscription is very Middle Kingdom too – I rarely see this one used ever!! Usually the typical β€œπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ is used!Β 

Mummy of Ukhotep
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!