Category: Egyptian Artifacts

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Egyptian Artifacts

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep (Part 1)

This is a small papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 which belonged to a man named Amenhotep (not the pharaoh). Amenhotep was the β€œOverseer of the Builders of Amun” and he lived during the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom). 

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
Book of the Dead of Amenhotep at the MET.

This particular papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 sheet shows portions of Chapters 42 and 74 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. The β€œChapters” are a modern numerical sequence put together as more copies of the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 were found. There is no particular order to the ancient Egyptian spells – each copy of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is different which is part of what makes it fascinating! 

Chapter 42 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 associates different parts of the body π“Ž›π“‚π“„Ό with that of a particular deity π“ŠΉ. For example, one line from this spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› is β€œThe lips of Anubis, the teeth of Serket…” and it continues in that fashion! 

Chapter 74 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is the spell for β€œhastening on foot and going out from the earth.” 

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the Book of the Dead was actually referred to as the β€œBook of Coming Forth by Day” which is what the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ β€œπ“‰π“‚‹π“π“‚»π“…“π“‰”π“‚‹π“²π“‡³π“Ίπ“Όπ“Ίβ€ translate to!

Let’s take a closer look: 

𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻 – Coming Forth

π“…“ – By

𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺 – Day

𓍼𓏺 – Determinative for papyrus scroll (which is where β€œbook” comes from) 

If you want a lot of information about the Book of the Dead, I suggest looking at UCL’s website – it’s what I use to reference the chapter numbers and anything in quotes in this description is from their website!Β 

If you were interested in this post, please check out Part 2 which looks at the second papyrus that belonged to Amenhotep!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Nectanbo the Falcon

This piece is named β€œGod Horus Protecting King Nectanbo II.” Nectanbo II π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– was the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the short lived 30th Dynasty and he made himself the focus of a religious cult called β€œNectanbo the Falcon,” which was a merging of himself with the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was the god π“ŠΉ of kingship!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
Me with Nectanbo the Falcon!

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

There’s a small inscription at the base of the statue, and the inscription is a mirrored one – this means you start in the middle and read Middle to left or middle to right depending on the direction of the symbols! The β€œπ“‹Ήβ€ is the middle so that is where we are going to start!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
A closeup of the hieroglyphs at the base of the statue.

Middle to Left:

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt 

π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– – Nectanbo II β€œPleasing to the Heart of Ra, Chosen of Amun” (throne name)

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹- Osiris Mnevis

π“Œ» – Beloved

Middle to Right:Β 

π“‹Ή – Life

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“₯Xπ“†‡π“ˆ˜π“‚‘π“…ƒπ“Ž³π“π“Š– – Nectanbo II β€œNakht Hor Hebit” (birth name) [the X is a symbol I don’t have]

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» – Osiris Mnevis

Interesting Interpretation of the Hieroglyphs:

What’s interesting about this inscription is that I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be β€œπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» Osiris Mnevis” or β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis” with β€œπ“Œ»β€ being β€œbeloved.” To me it makes more sense if it is  β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis,” but I translated it both ways! 

Osiris Mnevis π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» is a combination of the gods Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ and Mnevis π“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ». Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋.  Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋 was one of the Bull gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in ancient Egypt. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ushabti of Akhenaten

This piece is listed as a β€œFunerary Figure” by the MET, but I think they mean to call it a ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ! This particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ belonged to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, and he had many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ made in various styles from many different materials (you can see another ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ of his in the background of this photo). The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures that belonged to him are made in the typical Amarna-art style.Β 

Ushabti of Akhenaten
The only fully preserved Ushabti of Akhenaten on display at the MET.

While are over 200 𓏲𓏲 ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures that belonged to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, this red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is the only known one that is complete! Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ is a very durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ because it is composed of over 60% quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™, which is a very hard mineral π“‡‹π“Œ»π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ™ so it makes sense that this particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ would be the one to remain complete! 

It seems strange that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– would be buried with ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ because he completely changed the Egyptian religion from the traditional polytheistic worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 to the monotheistic worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. This shows that while he did completely change Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– religion, some aspects of the old religion, such as belief in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, did remain and persist throughout his rule π“‹Ύ. Personally, I’m glad the ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were able to stick around because they’re my favorite!!

Most ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain standard inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ known as the β€œshabti spell” or β€œshabti text” from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, which is the spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› that allows the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figure to perform work for the deceased in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. Due to the change in religion, none of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain the β€œShabti Spell;” they only contain inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and titles. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Seshat

This is an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 on a Roman-era (60-70 A.D.) mummy mask. Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of writing, wisdom and knowledge. This is actually the only object at the MET that contains an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐! Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 does not appear much in ancient Egyptian art, and there are no temples or cult centers dedicated to her worship.Β 

Seshat

Seshat’s 𓋇𓏏𓁐 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– literally translates to β€œfemale scribe,” and she is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ! I have always really liked Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 because she was a female figure associated with hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and I related to that aspect of her! I always wished there were more depictions of her in ancient Egyptian art!

In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, she is holding writing with a stylus, which is very typical of artistic depictions of her! You can easily pick Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 out in Egyptian art because of the seven pointed emblem 𓋇 that she wears on her head (I call it a star – but no one really knows what it is). This symbol is also part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, which makes it easy to spot in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of architecture, accounting, mathematics, and surveying. This is what made her an essential part of a building ceremony called the β€œStretching of the Cord.” The β€œStretching of the Cord” was part of the foundation ritual that occurred when a building was constructed in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. It involved nailing four 𓏽 stakes into the ground at the four 𓏼 corners of the building and then linking them with a cord. 

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is definitely related to and shares some of the same functions as the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭, who was also considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, knowledge π“‚‹π“π“π“œ and wisdom. Usually Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 is credited with inventing writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯/hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (hence his title β€œLord of the Divine Words/Writing π“ŽŸπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“‚‚π“‚‚π“‚‚π“Ÿβ€), however, some mythology credits Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 with inventing writing/hieroglyphs, while Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 was the one who taught writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ to man! 

Here are some ways to write Seshat’s name in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

Seshat 𓋇

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐

Seshat π“‹΄π“ˆ™π“„Ώπ“π“…†

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Egyptian Artifacts

Shu

Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was the god π“ŠΉ of the air and atmosphere but was also associated with sunlight 𓆄𓅱𓇢! In the Egyptian creation myth, Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 raised the atmosphere from the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, separating the two 𓏻 from each other!

Shu
A small faience statue of the god Shu in his characteristic pose!

Shu 𓇋𓅱 is usually depicted as a man standing or kneeling with both of his arms raised (like this hieroglyphic symbol – 𓁏). His arms are in this position to show that he is holding up the air/atmosphere above the ground! Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was often worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by sailors, who were looking for favorable winds π“‡‹π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“…±π“Š‘π“¦!

Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was the consort of Tefnut π“π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“†—, who is a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ associated with moisture. In some mythology, Shu 𓇋𓅱 and Tefnut π“π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“†— produced Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 (god π“ŠΉ of the Earth 𓇾𓇾) and Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ (goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky π“Œπ“π“‡―). In the Pyramid Texts, the clouds are even mentioned as β€œthe bones of Shu.”  

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œShu 𓆄𓅱” can actually mean β€œHe Who Rises Up,” β€œEmptiness 𓆄𓅱𓅨,” or β€œSunlight 𓆄𓅱𓇢/𓆄𓅱𓇳” too! In Middle Egyptian, these words were also pronounced like β€œShu,” except they have different determinatives which changes the meaning of the word!

I’m fascinated by the fact that both β€œempty 𓆄𓅱𓅨” and β€œShu 𓆄𓅱” are the same because we can’t see the atmosphere so what is above/all around us appears to be empty 𓆄𓅱𓅨 but it’s not – and the ancient Egyptians knew that!Β It’s incredible the insight that mythology can give us into the thoughts of the ancient Egyptians!

This faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period (332–30 B.C.E.).Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Water Clocks

β€œWhat time is it” is such a common question and the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ wondered it too! The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ were masters of math and science π“‚‹π“π“π“œ and one of their long lasting contributions to the world was the first clock – which was a sundial π“¬π“π“ŠŒ (also known as a shadow clock)! The sundial π“¬π“π“ŠŒ was the first portable time keeping device!Β 

Water Clocks

These two pieces pictured are also clocks except these are known as water clocks π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ». The water clock π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ» is the first clock that didn’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 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! 

These two water clocks π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ»π“ͺ were probably used in a temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰. They both depict baboons because the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 could take the form of a baboon. Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 was not only the inventor of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and the god π“ŠΉ of knowledge π“‚‹π“π“π“œ, but his many other duties included being an overseer of measurement! 

Both of the water clocks π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“ƒ»π“ͺ are made of faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό. The blue/green 𓇅𓆓𓏛 one dated to the 4th Century B.C.E. (Late Period) while the tan colored one is dated to 664–30 B.C.E. (Late-Ptolemaic Periods). 

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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, Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– in the 1880s. Amarna as it is commonly called, is the modern name for β€œAkhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–.” β€œAkhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–β€ was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

Amarna Letters
Two of the clay tablets, designed as the “Amarna Letters” on display at the MET.

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 Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and they document diplomatic relations between these territories and Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

The Amarna Letter on the left is from Ashur-uballit the king of Assyria. In this letter he offers gifts to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– in order to open communications between the two countries! 

The Amarna Letter on the right is from Abi-milku of Tyre to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– . Abi-milku was asking Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for protection in return for his loyalty to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–!

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Necklace of Princess Sithathoryuet

This beautiful π“„€ necklace π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹ belonged to the princess Sithathoryunet, who is thought to be the daughter 𓅭𓏏 of the 12th Dynasty (c. 1887–1813 B.C.E) Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Senwosret II π“„Šπ“‹΄π“‚‹π“π“Šƒπ“ˆ–. She is thought to be his daughter 𓅭𓏏 because her tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ is linked to his pyramid.Β 

Necklace of Princess Sithathoryuet
The Necklace of Princess Sithathoryuet

Flinders Petrie was actually the one to discover her tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. Despite being robbed in antiquity, the tomb robbers left a chest full of beautiful π“„€ jewelry 𓂝𓏏𓍒 behind! 

The necklace π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹ is made out of gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰, carnelian (stone with a red color), lapis lazuli 𓐍𓋴𓃀𓂧𓏧, turquoise π“…“π“†‘π“‚“π“π“ˆ“, green feldspar, and garnet π“„‘π“›π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“Œ³π“„Ώπ“…“π“²π“ˆ’π“¦! 

Let’s take a look at all of the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 symbolism and imagery 𓏏𓅱𓏏 that is compressed into this piece!

Necklace of Princess Sithathoryuet
A closeup of the Necklace of Princess Sithathoryuet highlighting the intricate design.

The necklace π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“…±π“‹ is centered around the throne name cartouche of Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Senwosret II π“‡³π“ˆπ“†£.

Each side is symmetrical, and if we start by looking at the outermost part, the Falcon represents the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and he is is holding a shen 𓍢 symbol. The shen 𓍢 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes the completeness and eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› of the reign of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

There are two Ankh π“‹Ή symbols that are hanging on two cobras π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜π“ͺ who are representative of Nekhbet π“‡‘π“ƒ€π“π“…π“ŽŸ and Wadjet π“‡…π“‡Œπ“π“†˜, two traditional goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ who are protectors of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Underneath the cartouche is the god π“ŠΉ Heh 𓁨, who is the personification of infinity and eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. His hieroglyphic symbol is actually the symbol for the number β€œone million 𓁨,” thus ensuring that the king’s rule is eternal 𓆖. 

Underneath the god π“ŠΉ Heh 𓁨, are stones arranged to look like the β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ hieroglyph, which is representative of the primordial waters that the land came from in the Egyptian creation myth. Much like the water π“ˆ— of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί supported Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the primordial waters support this piece!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut

A couple of weeks ago I asked on my Instagram if there was an object people wanted to see more of, and someone suggested the Maned Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, so here it is!Β 

Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut
I took a selfie with the Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut!

Pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were commonly represented as sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ in ancient Egyptian art for many reasons. A sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ is a mythical creature that has the body of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› and the head of a human. 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/herself.Β 

A closeup of the hieroglyphs on the Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut.

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

(𓇳𓁦𓂓) – Maatkare

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŒΊπ“π“‡Œ – Beloved

𓋹𓏏𓏙- Life Given

𓆖 – Eternity

β€œMaatkare, Beloved of Amun, Given Life for Eternity.”

I know this is strange, but β€œGiven Life” is actually written backwards! It should be β€œπ“™π“‹Ήβ€ not β€œπ“‹Ήπ“™β€ as it’s written (this inscription is read from right to left, because that’s the way the directional symbols are pointing). 

There’s also an added 𓏏, which makes it the feminine form! There’s a second sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ just like this one in the Cairo Museum, and on that sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€, there is no added 𓏏! Why would one sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ use the feminine form and one use the masculine?! We will probably never know!Β 

Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut
The hieroglyphs on the Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut with their English translation next to them!

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Fragment of Akhenaten

This is a fragment of what used to be a limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the pharaoh Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! This (and many others like it) were found during Flinders Petrie and Howard Carter’s excavation at present-day Amarna in 1891, which in ancient times was called 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“…œπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

Fragment of Akhenaten
A Fragment of Akhenaten – many of Akhenaten’s statues were intentionally destroyed after his reign

Many of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ not only have the faces destroyed, but are also in hundreds of pieces. This deliberate destruction of his statuary was an attempt to destroy his image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 so he would be forgotten from history. Images/statues of a person, and the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a person held immense power in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– so if a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 was destroyed, its power was removed!Β 

A Fragment of Akhenaten – a front view of the statue where the extent of the damage to his face can be clearly seen.

Why did Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– successors want his image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 destroyed? Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is infamous for completely changing the Egyptian pantheon from polytheistic worship of the traditional gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ to the monotheistic worship of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ and people definitely did not like that! When Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– son, Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ became the pharaoh, he reinstated the old religion and moved the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– back to Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. 

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

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