Category: Egyptian Artifacts

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sekhmet and Ptah – the Unlikely Pair!

This piece at the MET is from the Late Period – Ptolemaic Period (c.Β 664–30 B.C.E.)Β is tinyΒ π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©Β so of course I love it!!

This smallΒ π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©Β piece of metal depicts the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ PtahΒ π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±Β and SekhmetΒ π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“.Β PtahΒ π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±Β and SekhmetΒ π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“Β are super interesting mythological figures in ancient EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–Β because they were some of the oldest deitiesΒ π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉΒ that were worshipped for thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years!Β 

Sekhmet π“Œ‚𓐍𓅓𓏏𓁐 was known as the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of war, the destructive aspects of the sun 𓇳𓏺 (such as the desert π“…Ÿπ“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ heat), could bring on plagues, and was associated with kingship. In the Book of the Dead, Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± is referred to as β€œThe Master Architect,” and β€œFramer of Everything in the Universe” due to his role in β€œspeaking” the world 𓇾𓇾 into creation! 

If Sekhmet’s π“Œ‚𓐍𓅓𓏏𓁐 power was uncontrolled, she could pose major problems for Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. For example, when Sekhmet π“Œ‚𓐍𓅓𓏏𓁐 was sent by her father Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 to punish the human race for rebelling against him, she lost control and had to be stopped by Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 before she eradicated all of humanity! Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 tricked her into thinking that pomegranate juice was blood and Sekhmet π“Œ‚𓐍𓅓𓏏𓁐 drank so much she fell asleep! In one version of the myth, when she wakes up, the first thing she sees is Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and instantly falls in love with him! 

The love affair between Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚𓐍𓅓𓏏𓁐 us very interesting in a mythological sense because Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± represents creation while Sekhmet π“Œ‚𓐍𓅓𓏏𓁐 can represent total destruction! Their son π“…­, Nefertem π“„€π“†‘𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯, is the god π“ŠΉ of healing. The union of creation and destruction created healing and thus re-established β€œMa’at” (truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„/justice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œ) in the world π“‡Ύπ“‡Ύ! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Amarna Letters

The β€œAmarna Letters” is the modern designation for a group of over 300 𓏲𓏲𓏲 clay tablets that were found at Tell el-Amarna, EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–Β in the 1880s. Amarna as it is commonly called, is the modern name for β€œAkhetatenΒ π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–.” β€œAkhetatenΒ π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–β€ was the capital of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–Β during the reign π“‹Ύ of AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

The β€œAmarna Letters” are written on clay tablets in cuneiform script, which was a type of Mesopotamian script! Cuneiform could be used to write many languages, but the language on the β€œAmarna Letters’” tablets is Akkadian. This is significant because it shows the reach that cuneiform/Akkadian had throughout the ancient world! Akkadian was probably the lingua franca (common language/trade language) of the time! 

Most of the letters are written from rulers outside of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and they document diplomatic relations between these territories and EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. This particular Amarna Letter that is pictured is from Abi-milku of Tyre to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–Β .Β Abi-milku was asking EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–Β for protectionΒ in return for his loyalty to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Hatshepsut Gallery (Part 3)

I have written about these small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© β€œKneeling Statues of Hatshepsut” in the past, but I have never posted a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 with all four 𓏽 of them togetherΒ π“ˆ–π“Š—! Usually due to crowds at the MET, it is so hard to get all four 𓏽 in a single picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏!

Since I wrote about the big statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺΒ yesterday, let’s look at the smallΒ π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© statuesΒ π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺΒ todayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³! I was so happy 𓄫𓅱𓏛 to get some fun pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 in the HatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺΒ Gallery!Β 

In these statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is kneeling and is seen holding the nemset jar π“Œ.  The jar π“Œ has the djed pillar π“Š½ adorning the front.  The djed pillar π“Š½ is thought to be the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, and it represents stability and endurance – both are attributes a Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 needed in order to be a successful ruler π“‹Ύ!

While tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©, these statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ adorned her temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. At least eight of these statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were found on the joint expedition between the MET and the Egyptian government during the excavation of Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. Four 𓏽 of these are in the MET, and are in varying conditions. 

They were most likely used to line the upper court at her temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰, and are thought to be intended for her Heb Sed festival (a festival used to celebrate 30 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† years of rule, and then celebrated every three 𓏼 years after the initial 30 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†). Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, ever the Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 to break from tradition, instead celebrated hers in the 16th π“Ž†π“Ώ year of her rule! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Hatshepsut Gallery (Part 2)

Thanks to my mom 𓄿𓏏𓁐, who was at the museum with me, I was able to get such great pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 in the HatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺΒ Gallery!

Here I am in between the two 𓏻 large red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! These statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ are tremendous in size and so gorgeous π“„€ to look at! Hateshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ really does look regal in them! 

In both statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is in a kneeling position holding a nemset jar π“Œπ“Ί in each hand π“‚§π“π“Ί. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, kneeling is considered a worshipping 𓇼𓄿𓀒/offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 position, and hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ at the base of one of the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ say that she is offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 plants π“†Ύπ“†°π“†°π“†° to the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­. 

The main difference between the two 𓏻 statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ is that one has a false beard and one does not! In statuary, pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were usually depicted wearing a false beard as it was a sign of royalty π“‹Ύ. Since most of these statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were found in pieces at Deir el-Bahri π“‚¦π“‚‹π“‚¦π“₯𓉐 during excavations, it’s possible that the statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ on the right was supposed to have a false beard but it wasn’t found, or that it was never supposed to have one!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Hatshepsut Gallery (Part 1)

I had HatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺΒ all to myself at the MET!!

Anyone who has been following me for a while knows that the β€œHatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺΒ Gallery” at the MET is my favorite gallery out of any museum I have been too! HatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ has been my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 since I was a child; pretty much ever since my Nonno told me that there was a womanΒ π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“Β who was the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!Β 

Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ cartouche means β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women,” however just the given name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œHatshepsut π“π“„‚𓏏𓀼π“ͺ” alone just means β€œForemost of the Noble Women,” and I feel that name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is totally appropriate for her! Her throne name, β€œMaatkare π“‡³π“¦π“‚“” means β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” 

Most of the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ that are in this gallery are from the MET’s joint expedition with the Egyptian government in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during 1928-1929. This excavation focused on Deir el-Bahri π“‚¦π“‚‹π“‚¦π“₯𓉐, which is the location of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ mortuary temple. Most of the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–𓏏𓏭𓀾π“ͺ you can see in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 were found in pieces, and were put back together. 

Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ ruled π“‹Ύ for about 20 π“Ž†π“Ž† years, and the earlier years were a joint rein π“‹Ύ with her nephew Thutmosis III π“‡³π“ π“†£. She commissioned many building projects (her mortuary temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Deir el-Bahri π“‚¦π“‚‹π“‚¦π“₯𓉐 being the most magnificent) and sent an expedition to the land of Punt π“Šͺπ“ƒΊπ“ˆ–π“π“ˆ‰.

About twenty π“Ž†π“Ž† years after her death π“…“𓏏𓏱, around the end of Thutmosis III’s π“‡³π“ π“†£ reign π“‹Ύ, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 were erased from monuments and she was not included on the Ramesside King’s Lists. The theory is that this was Thutmosis III’s π“‡³π“ π“†£ doing, however, that is a theory and there isn’t really sound archaeological evidence for it. We will probably never know for sure!

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Egyptian Artifacts

“Soul Houses”

These clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ model houses 𓉐π“₯ are called β€œSoul Houses” and they were given this name by Flinders Petrie due to them being found at the entrance to or very close to tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ or burials. 

These Soul π“‚“ Houses 𓉐π“₯ are usually found in or near Middle Kingdom burials. These clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ models ensured that the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 had access to shelter and food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. They are thought to take the place of offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃π“ͺΒ – since offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃π“ͺΒ were usually for the wealthy, the Soul House 𓉐𓏀 was a more affordable option.Β 

I have always been a person who likes tiny π“ˆ–𓆓𓋴𓅩 things, and the Soul Houses are no exception! I used to call them β€œEgyptian Dollhouses” when I was a kid, which is why I liked them so much despite their rough appearance. I am not going to lie, I still refer to them as dollhouses!!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Funerary Mask of Wah at the MET

TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we are going to be looking at the Funerary Mask of Wah! Wah was an estate manager for a wealthy nobleman and he lived during theΒ reign π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenemhat IΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“(12th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom).Β 

Funerary Masks (also called Burial Masks or Mummy Masks) were an important part of a person’s burial equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ because the mask could either serve as protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱, or take the place of the body if the head was destroyed or lost. In the Egyptian religion, the body of the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 needed to stay intact in order for the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 to be transported to the afterlife π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰/Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–. This was the purpose of mummification – to preserve the body so both the Ka π“‚“ (soul) and the Ba 𓅑𓏺(life force) would be able to recognize the body! 

Wah’s Mummy Mask is made of cartonnage (ancient Egyptian paper mache), gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ foil and wood π“†±π“π“Ί. The gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ face and the blue hair π“‡‹π“Ήπ“π“„Ώπ“Έπ“₯ is significant because the ancient Egyptians believed that the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ had skin/hair of gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ or lapis lazuli π“π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“‚§π“§. While the facial features on the mask appear neither masculine or feminine, the beard that is on Wah’s chin indicates that this mask belonged to a male. 

My favorite feature on the mask is the very detailed broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ that is painted π“‡¨π“‚‹π“…±π“­π“Έπ“¦ on! The broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ was the necklace of choice by both the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, and the wealthy! Many Mummy Masks show the deceased wearing a broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Graeco-Roman Stela

This is certainly an interesting stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ for sure!

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ but the craftsmanship is kind of…off! This is very typical for work from the time period (1st Century B.C.E. – 4th Century A.D.). During the Greek and Roman periods, objects like amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ, and more were so mass produced that the craftsmanship suffered. Let’s take a look at what is going on!Β 

The top section of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ seems to be trying to follow the traditional Egyptian way – the winged π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒ sun disc 𓇳𓏺 and the Uraeus π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†— are roughly carved but are definitely there! This design is known as β€œ Horus the Behdetite” and is a representation of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ that is popular on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ. Under that, two 𓏻 jackals π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯𓏦 are depicted! 

In the middle section, from the left, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is depicted holding an ankh π“‹Ή or key which most likely symbolizes his association with/ability to access the underworld (a very Graeco-Roman version of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣)! Then the four 𓏽 people to the right of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 are identified by the Greek inscription below: “Pekysis, son of Aruotes, and his brother Pachoumis; Tbaikis the elder and Tbaikis the younger.” Pekysis is thought to be the man holding the torch! Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ is depicted all the way on the right! 

Thanks to the MET for the Greek translation because I certainly don’t speak Greek! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Coffin of Wah at the MET

Let’s take a look at the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of a man named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Wah, who lived during the early reign π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Amenemhat I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓅓𓄂𓏏(12th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom). 

In the first picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can see a dedication to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, which is better known as the β€œOffering Formula.” If you want to learn one 𓏺 phrase in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, learn this one!!! It is everywhere!!Β 

Here is the full inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯: π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š–. Let’s break down the offering formula because we haven’t done so in a while. Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

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

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

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“Š½π“‚§π“Š– – Djedu (usually written as π“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š–)

So all together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads: β€œAn Offering the King gives Osiris, Lord of Djedu.” Djedu π“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š– refers to the birthplace of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 on this side of the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± would allow the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to see outside of it! Inside the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±, the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 would usually be laid on his side so his eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 matched up with the eyes on the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±! This was very typical of Middle Kingdom burial practices π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­, and it was something my Nonno would always point out to me when we were in a museum! 

As a kidΒ π“π“‡Œπ“€•Β (and even now as an adult) I found this practice absolutely fascinating! Now every time I am in a museum, I tell the story to someone about the eyes 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾, just like my Nonno told me!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Canopic Chest and Mummy of Ukhotep

This is the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 and canopic chest of a manΒ π“Šƒπ“€€π“€Β named Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ who lived during Dynasty 12 of the Middle Kingdom. Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was the chief treasurer, which is why he probably received such gorgeous π“„€ funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­, such as this canopic chest that contains dedications to the Four Sons of Horus. The purpose of the canopic chest was to hold the four 𓏽 canopic jars which contained the organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the directional symbols are pointing towards the right, we will start reading from the right!

𓇋π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated/Revered/Honored

𓐍𓂋 – Before

𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 – Duamutef

π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Ukhotep

π“ŽŸπ“„ͺ – Possessor of Honor

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

β€œHonor 𓇋π“„ͺ𓐍” is the full word while the phrase β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” only uses the β€œspine and spinal chord π“„ͺ” symbol to write β€œHonor.” Also, β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” can be written as β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ𓏺,” it just depends on the spacing on the object it is being inscribed on. 

As a beginner, the shortening of words can get confusing, but this is where practice comes in!Β 

These pieces are at the MET in NYC!