Category: Egyptian Artifacts

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Egyptian Artifacts

Akhenaten and Me!

I’ve never shared this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 because of the glare, but not every picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 needs to be perfect π“„€! My Nonno took this photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and me at the Louvre in what I call the β€œAmarna Gallery!” Β  You can tell by my smile how happy 𓄫𓅱𓏛 I was!Β Seeing a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in real life that I have only seen in books feels like meeting a celebrity!

Akhenaten and Me
Akhenaten and Me at the Louvre!

The Louvre has an impressive collection of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ and artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and I was so excited to be able to see them – this was probably the gallery I spent the most time in at the Louvre! After Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

This particular limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– surprised me when I saw it in person for the first time! I thought it was going to be a lot smaller, so I was shocked to see just how big it was! The piece is also incredibly well preserved – the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– forehead is still somewhat intact, and the design details on the skirt are clearly defined. Also, Akhenaten is holding both the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… in one hand 𓂝𓏺 instead of one in each hand 𓂝𓏺! 

The Louvre has this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 named β€œStatue of an Amarna King.” To me, this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 looks like it is from the early part of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ because there are both traditional Egyptian elements and Amarna-era elements (elongated face and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) present in the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾. If I were to guess, this was probably made before year 5 𓏾 of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, when he still had the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€. However, there are no hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 to confirm this, I am basing this inference just on the artistic style alone! 

This piece really is just stunning to see in person! 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Professional Mourners

While preparing for death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 was an essential part of life on Earth 𓇾𓇾 for the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ, it doesn’t mean that they weren’t upset by the death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 of a loved one. Wealthier Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ were able to hire professional mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€ π“ͺ/π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ for their funerals and those mourners could be men (π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€ π“ͺ) or women (π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ).Β 

Professional Mourners
A limestone relief from a tomb which shows Professional Mourners outside the entrance to a tomb.

In the case of this sunken limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief, there are three 𓏼 female mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ present – two 𓏻 are sitting and one 𓏺 is standing. Only one of the female figures is fully preserved. At funerals, the professional mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ were hired to sing and cry. 

The three 𓏼 mourners π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ƒ€π“π“­π“π“ͺ are in front of a tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ entrance, which looks like the β€œshrine facade 𓉱” hieroglyphic symbol. 

The entrance to the tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ has plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 and offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in front of it. I also like the column 𓅱𓐍𓇋𓇅 that is added to this relief. 

Reliefs such as these served the purpose of ensuring perpetual mourning for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. If there was mourning present on the reliefs within a tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰, it meant that the mourning would go on for all π“ŽŸ eternity 𓆖. 

On a personal note, this relief really speaks to me because this account on the most basic level is a manifestation of my grief. I started this account as a way to try and cope with my Nonno’s death, and over three years later it’s still helping me to do that. I see the three people in this relief as me, my sister and my brother. It’s incredible how I can deeply relate to a tomb relief from ancient Egypt. 

This piece is from Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– (present day Saqqara) and is dated to Dynasty 19 (c. 1295-1190 B.C.E.). 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Defaced Hatshepsut

There’s a lot going on in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 and I’m going to do my best to talk about it all! This is a red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a defaced Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ which was found during the excavation of her temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. This excavation was a joint effort between the MET and the Egyptian government.Β 

Defaced Hatshepsut
A closeup of a Defaced Hatshepsut statue on display at the MET

I love that the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ and yellow paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is still retained on the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth. The nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth is a traditional striped piece of linen 𓍱 or fabric that pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ wore on their heads. There was usually a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the forehead, but on this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is missing. On a lot of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 would just get broken off in antiquity, however, this one seems to have been deliberately destroyed. 

Blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ and red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 can also still be seen on the broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing around her neck. The broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ was the necklace π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ of choice for royals and the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ.

The most prominent feature on this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is the fact that the face has been seemingly hacked away in antiquity. 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! 

Usually pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ would just usurp the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of previous rulers, but Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 didn’t do this with Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 statuary, it was just destroyed and then buried. The running theory is that the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were too β€œHatshepsut-like” and thus could not be reused! 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sphinx of Amenhotep II

This is a sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ! Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻π“₯ during the 18th Dynasty and was the son π“…­ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. He ruled π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for about 26 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ώ years and the first two 𓏻 years of his rule might have been a co-reign with his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀.Β 

Sphinx of Amenhotep II
A small sandstone Sphinx of Amenhotep II

Why do so many pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ represent themselves as sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦? A sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ is a mythical creature and is the combination of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› (the body) and a human (the head 𓁢𓏺).  In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ have been associated with kingship π“‡“π“‡Œ since prehistoric times due to their strength π“Œ€ and ferocity. The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ was the perfect representation of the strength π“Œ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 due to its lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› body, while the face still preserved the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the king 𓇓 himself. 

Sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ are incredibly powerful creatures because not only do they represent the physical strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›, but also the power of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ loved to portray himself as powerful (as all pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ did), but Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is actually most known for his athletic abilities! Many depictions show him as an accomplished archer!

Amenhotep II’s birth name is actually the same as Amenhotep I, which is π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ. Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Satisfied

So the name translates to β€œAmun is Satisfied.”

We can tell pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ with the same name apart based on their throne name! Amenhotep II’s throne name is β€œAakheperura 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓏦!” Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

𓇳 – Ra

𓉻 – Great 

𓆣𓏦 – Manifestations

The name translates to β€œThe Great Manifestations of Ra.” 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part II)

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Nespanetjerenpere and is on display at the Brooklyn Museum. Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 we looked at the front, and today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the back!

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
Me with the back of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

On the back, the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and Thoth π“…€π“€­ are depicted. On the left, the ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀 headed god π“ŠΉ Thoth π“…€π“€­, and the god π“ŠΉ of writing is shown. On the right is Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who is the falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed god π“ŠΉ and the embodiment of divine kingship. He was considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and the β€œLord of the Sky π“ŽŸπ“Šͺ𓏏𓇯.”

Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ are seen holding a Djed pillar π“Š½, which is the symbol of stability. The Djed pillar π“Š½ is thought to be the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The Djed pillar π“Š½, shown here is even wearing the Atef crown π“‹š, which is the crown that Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ wears.Β 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
The back of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere, showing Thoth (left), the djed pillar (center) and Horus (right)

It is very symbolic that this image 𓅱𓏏𓅱 appears where the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of the mummy 𓅱𓇋𓀾 would be. It can be interpreted that Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­are supporting the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of the deceased person. 

When a person died 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and became β€œThe Osiris,” The Djed Pillar π“Š½ was then thought to represent their spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦! The spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 was thought to keep Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ upright and able to function as the primary god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. This is even referenced in the The Book of the Dead: β€œRaise yourself up Osiris. You have your backbone once more, weary-hearted One; you have bones.” 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part I)

Only here on ancientegyptblog will you hear someone say β€œLook at how gorgeous this is 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑” about a coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 or other type of funerary object but that’s only because the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere is such an incredible piece (as many objects from the Late Period are)!

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
Me with the gorgeous Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

I spent so long just trying to take in all of the beautiful π“„€ images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that are on this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾! This coffin is made of cartonnage, which is a material that is made when linen or papyrus mixed with plaster! This is from the Third Intermediate Period, and dates from the 22nd – 25th Dynasties. 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
A view of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Muesum

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named Nespanetjerenpere. While to many the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ may seem like random pictures of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, it is actually a collection of carefully selected religious symbols meant to help guide Nespanetjerenpere on his journey to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 and associate him with and ensure rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
The Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere with a view of the ram headed pendant and the central hieroglyphs with offering forumla

The ram headed pendant on his chest is meant to represent the sun 𓇳 god π“ŠΉ Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 journey across the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 during the day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 – and through the netherworld 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 at night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„›. The images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ can almost be thought of as the picture-book version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

While the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are so delicately drawn, the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ going down the middle of the coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 seem to be unfinished and roughly done. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ show the very standard offering formula!

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

π“Š©π“Ή – Osiris

𓏅 – Foremost 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

The inscription reads: β€œAn Offering the King Gives Osiris, Foremost of the West.”

Look forward to a Part 𓏻 about the back of this piece!Β 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Composite Papyrus Capital

This piece is called the β€œComposite Papyrus Capital” and it is on display at the MET! This used to be a part of a larger column 𓅱𓐍𓇋𓇅  that measured over seven 𓐀 meters tall! In building/archaeology, the β€œcapital” is the name of the decorated uppermost part of the column 𓅱𓐍𓇋𓇅!Β 

Composite Papyrus Capital
Composite Papyrus Capital on display at the MET

This column 𓅱𓐍𓇋𓇅 was originally at the Temple of Amun at the Kharga Oasis which was built by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Nectanebo I 𓇳𓆣𓂓(378 – 360 B.C.E.). This was part of a large temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ building program that Nectanbo I π“ˆ–π“†±π“π“π“‚‘π“ƒ­π“†‘ initiated as a way to resist the threat of Persian rule through the introduction of more traditional Egyptian religious works. 

The most striking aspect of this column capital is the intricate design and the preserved colors. While Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– is a desert π“…Ÿπ“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ, is has always had diverse plant 𓇐𓅓𓆰 life thanks to the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. Ancient Egyptian art always showcased the biodiversity of the area and this column does that beautifully! Papyrus plants 𓇅𓆰 (upper) and flatsedge plants 𓇓 (lower) are the main decoration on the column. Both plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 were very common along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί and were quite important to the Egyptian economy. 

Some of the preserved colors they can be seen are green 𓇅𓄿𓆓𓏛, yellow and red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ. I always love when stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ works still have retained their original color because most of the time, the colors have faded over time. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Water Clock

The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ were no doubt masters of math and science π“‚‹π“π“π“œ! One of the ancient Egyptians’ long lasting contributions to the world was the creation of the 365 (and eventually 365.25) day calendar! They even invented the sundial π“¬π“π“ŠŒ (also known as the β€œshadow clock”), which was the first portable time keeping device!Β They also invented a device called a Water Clock π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ».

Water Clock
A fragment of a Water Clock with the cartouche of Alexander the Great on it at the Brooklyn Museum

This piece pictured is also a clock – or a piece of one at least! This is basalt fragment is part of a device that is known as a water clock π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ». The water clock π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ» is the first clock that doesn’t depend on an astronomical object to tell the time! The oldest water clock π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ» known was found in the tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ(c. 1500 B.C.E.). The Greeks even adopted the use of water clocks π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ»π“ͺ around 325 B.C.E. and named them β€œclepsydras” which translates to β€œwater thieves.” 

A water clock π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ» is a round vessel/vase that has a hole at the bottom that allowed water π“ˆ— to drip through at a slow pace. Water clocks π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ»π“ͺ were usually used to tell time at night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„›, but they might have been used during the day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 too. The water π“ˆ— was drained from the vessel after twelve π“Ž†π“» hours, and then it could be refilled and be used again! Markings on the side helped to keep more accurate time! 

This fragment of a water clock π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ» is really cool because it has the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of Alexander the Great π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒ on it! Alexander the Great’s π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written with all phonogram symbols, which shows the versatility of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Even foreign names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ could be written with ease! 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Inscribed Stones

There are two 𓏻 things that completely fascinate me: ancient Egyptian history and geology so these “inscribed stones” are so interesting to me! I love when I can combine my passion for these two 𓏻 subjects! Rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“₯ are basically the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ of the Earth 𓇾𓇾! What’s even better is when hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ appear on pieces/fragments of rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ – it’s like hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ inception!Β 

Inscribed Stones
Many Inscribed Stones with the cartouche of Hatshepsut on display at the MET

The MET has these listed as β€œinscribed stones,” which were most likely intentionally put at the base of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ Valley Temple as offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦. Three 𓏼 different types or rocks are shown in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above: limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰, sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ and quartzite. All three 𓏼 of these rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“₯ are found in abundance across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, especially the sandstone π“‚‹π“…±π“‚§π“π“Œ—π“ˆ™ and limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰!Β 

Inscribed Stones
A closeup of an Inscribed Stone with the throne name of Hatshepsut on it! Look at how beautiful the carvings are! The details on the “ka π“‚“” symbol are particularly stunning!

While many of these β€œinscribed stones” have very rough carvings on them, the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· that appears in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above on the limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ is quite beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋! The version of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that appears on these fragments of rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ is her throne name, which is the name she took when she became pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Her throne name is β€œMaatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓” which translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” 

Let’s take a closer look at what the symbols in her name mean:

𓇳 – Ra

𓁦 – Maat (Truth) 

π“‚“ – Ka (Soul)

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ptolemaic Gold Wreath

Much like today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ was very valued in the ancient world. This Ptolemaic Gold Wreath that I am standing with at the Brooklyn Museum is an exquisite piece!

Ptolemaic Gold Wreath
Me with a Ptolemaic Gold Wreath at the Brooklyn Museum

Fun fact: in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, silver π“Œ‰π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ was actually considered to be more valuable because it was harder to obtain through trade! Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– itself does not naturally have a lot of silver π“Œ‰π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰! Silver π“Œ‰π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ was associated with the moon π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή, while gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ was associated with the sun 𓇳𓏺!Β 

This piece is from the Ptolemaic Period (3rd century-2nd century B.C.E.), and it has a very obvious Greek influence. When Alexander the Great π“„Ώπ“ƒ­π“Ž‘π“Šƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚§π“‚‹π“Šƒβ€œconquered” Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, it resulted in the merging of Greek/Macedonian and Egyptian cultures!Β 

Ptolemaic Gold Wreath
A closeup of the Ptolemaic Gold Wreath on display at the Brooklyn Museum!

Many different types of wreaths π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†°π“¦ were made in ancient Greece using different plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰. The β€œplant 𓇐𓅓𓆰” used in this wreath π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†° may be the laurel, which was associated with the Greek god π“ŠΉ Apollo. 

While gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ wreaths π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†°π“¦ like this one could be used to crown athletic victors, it could have also been used in a funerary context. The wreath π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†° pictured is most likely one that had a funerary purpose. The wreaths π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†°π“¦ worn by the living were most likely made of real flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦. 

Gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ is a very malleable material, meaning that it can be easily shaped and bent into various shapes. While a great property to have when considering art, this also means that anything made of gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ is extremely delicate. Most gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ jewelry made today is actually an alloy – meaning gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ is mixed with another metal to make it more durable. 

Due to the delicate nature of these wreaths π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†°π“¦, there are only four 𓏽 surviving today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³!

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