Month: June 2023

Video

The Mastaba of Perneb – Video

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 19, 2023

Perneb 𓉐𓂋𓈖𓎟𓃀 was a palace administrator during the 5th Dynasty, and he had his tomb 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐 built at Memphis 𓏠𓈖𓄤𓆑𓂋𓉴𓊖 (modern day Saqqara). This type of tomb 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐 is commonly referred to today as a mastaba, but in ancient Egyptian times they were referred to as a “House of Eternity 𓉐𓆖.” The word “mastaba” is Arabic for the word “bench,” and these tombs 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐𓏪 got their modern name 𓂋𓈖 due to their rectangular structure and flat roofs!

I am standing inside the mastaba 𓉐𓆖 of Perneb 𓉐𓂋𓈖𓎟𓃀 at the MET in front of his False Door! I will never forget seeing it for the first time with my Nonno – the first time I saw it, there was no glass on the reliefs! Seeing this for the first time will always be one of my greatest memories! I love being inside the mastaba 𓉐𓆖 because I feel like I am in Egypt – 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 I love being in tombs 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐𓏪!

False Doors served as ways for the living relatives to make offerings 𓊵𓏏𓊪𓏏𓏔𓏦 to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and there is a spot at the base of the False Door where offerings 𓊵𓏏𓊪𓏏𓏔𓏦 are meant to be left.

The False Door acted as a link between the land of the living 𓋹𓈖𓐍 and the land of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. The ancient Egyptians 𓆎𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏪 believed that the soul 𓂓 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 could travel between the two lands 𓇿𓇿 through the False Door. They are also known as “ka 𓂓 doors” or “soul 𓂓 doors.”

If you’re interested in the beautiful reliefs that are on the walls of this mastaba 𓉐𓆖, you can read my previous post about them here!

The Mastaba of Perneb — Me in front of Perneb’s False Door inside his mastaba

This is my personal video, photo, and original text. DO NOT repost.

Tags mastaba, the met, video

Egyptian Artifacts

Sphinx of Amenhotep II

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 18, 2023

This is a sandstone 𓂋𓅱𓂧𓏏𓌗𓈙 Sphinx 𓎛𓅱𓃭𓏤 of Amenhotep II 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓊵𓏏𓊪! Amenhotep II 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓊵𓏏𓊪 was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻𓏥 during the 18th Dynasty and was the son 𓅭 of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. He ruled 𓋾𓈎𓏏 Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 for about 26 𓎆𓎆𓏿 years and the first two 𓏻 years of his rule might have been a co-reign with his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀.

A small sandstone Sphinx of Amenhotep II

Why do so many pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 represent themselves as sphinxes 𓎛𓅱𓃭𓏦? A sphinx 𓎛𓅱𓃭𓏤 is a mythical creature and is the combination of a lion 𓌳𓁹𓄿𓄛 (the body) and a human (the head 𓁶𓏺). In ancient Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖, lions 𓌳𓁹𓄿𓄛𓏪 have been associated with kingship 𓇓𓇌 since prehistoric times due to their strength 𓌀 and ferocity. The sphinx 𓎛𓅱𓃭 was the perfect representation of the strength 𓌀 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 due to its lion 𓌳𓁹𓄿𓄛 body, while the face still preserved the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the king 𓇓 himself.

Sphinxes 𓎛𓅱𓃭𓏦 are incredibly powerful creatures because not only do they represent the physical strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 of a lion 𓌳𓁹𓄿𓄛, but also the power of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.

Amenhotep II 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓊵𓏏𓊪 loved to portray himself as powerful (as all pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 did), but Amenhotep II 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓊵𓏏𓊪 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 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓊵𓏏𓊪. Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

𓇋𓏠𓈖 – Amun

𓊵𓏏𓊪 – Satisfied

So the name translates to “Amun is Satisfied.”

We can tell pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 with the same name apart based on their throne name! Amenhotep II’s throne name is “Aakheperura 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓏦!” Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

𓇳 – Ra

𓉻 – Great

𓆣𓏦 – Manifestations

The name translates to “The Great Manifestations of Ra.”

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

Tags amenhotep ii, artifact, sphinx, the met

Reading Hieroglyphs

Alabaster Vase of Thutmosis III

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 17, 2023

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to take a virtual trip to the Petrie Museum!

This is a calcite 𓍱 (alabaster) vase 𓏠𓈖𓇋𓏋 with the throne name cartouche 𓏠𓈖𓈙𓍷 of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 on it!

Alabaster Vase of Thutmosis III

Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 was one of the longest reigning pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 in Egyptian history! He co-ruled with Hatshepsut 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓎹𓏏𓄂𓏏𓀼𓏪 for about 21 𓎆𓎆𓏺 years, and then he ruled on his own for another 30 𓎆𓎆𓎆 years!

This alabaster 𓍱 vase 𓏠𓈖𓇋𓏋 was found in a foundation deposit. Both the Petrie Museum and the MET have very similar alabaster 𓍱 vases 𓏠𓈖𓇋𓏋𓏪 with Hatshepsut’s 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓎹𓏏𓄂𓏏𓀼𓏪 name 𓂋𓈖 on them! I have done previous posts on the vases with Hatshepsut’s name 𓂋𓈖 – a translation and a post on foundation deposits!

These vases 𓏠𓈖𓇋𓏋𓏪 usually contained incense or ointment. Sometimes, traces of the incense or ointment can still be seen within the vase 𓏠𓈖𓇋𓏋 which is so cool!

Let’s break down the hieroglyphic 𓊹𓌃 symbols!

𓊹𓄤 – Perfect God

𓇳𓏠𓆣 – Menkhepperra

𓋊𓊾 – Min

𓎤𓃀𓄿𓊖 – Koptos

𓌸 – Beloved

All 𓎟 together 𓈖𓊗, the full translation is: “The Perfect God, Menkhepperra, Beloved of Min of Koptos.”

Koptos 𓎤𓃀𓄿𓊖 is the Greek name for the ancient Egyptian town of “Gbtyw 𓎤𓃀𓄿𓊖,” and the modern Arabic name for the town is Qift. Since the Early Dynastic period, Koptos 𓎤𓃀𓄿𓊖 was an important place of worship 𓇼𓄿𓀢 for the god 𓊹 Min 𓋊𓊾, but it was also a key trading/economic location due to its proximity to the Red Sea. Koptos 𓎤𓃀𓄿𓊖 remained an important town through the Ptolemaic and Roman periods too!

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

Tags artifact, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, petrie museum, thutmosis iii

Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part II)

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 16, 2023
1 Comment on Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part II)

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest 𓊹𓍛 named 𓂋𓈖 Nespanetjerenpere and is on display at the Brooklyn Museum. Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 we looked at the front, and today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to look at the back!

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

On the back, the gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹 Horus 𓅃𓀭 and Thoth 𓅤𓀭 are depicted. On the left, the ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅤 headed god 𓊹 Thoth 𓅤𓀭, and the god 𓊹 of writing is shown. On the right is Horus 𓅃𓀭, who is the falcon 𓃀𓇋𓎡𓅄 headed god 𓊹 and the embodiment of divine kingship. He was considered to be the god 𓊹 of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 and the “Lord of the Sky 𓎟𓊪𓏏𓇯.”

Thoth 𓅤𓀭 and Horus 𓅃𓀭 are seen holding a Djed pillar 𓊽, which is the symbol of stability. The Djed pillar 𓊽 is thought to be the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of Osiris 𓁹𓊨𓀭. The Djed pillar 𓊽, shown here is even wearing the Atef crown 𓋚, which is the crown that Osiris 𓁹𓊨𓀭 wears.

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 𓅤𓀭 and Horus 𓅃𓀭are supporting the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of the deceased person.

When a person died 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and became “The Osiris,” The Djed Pillar 𓊽 was then thought to represent their spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦! The spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 was thought to keep Osiris 𓁹𓊨𓀭 upright and able to function as the primary god 𓊹 of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. This is even referenced in the The Book of the Dead: “Raise 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.

Tags artifact, brooklyn museum, gods and goddesses, horus, thoth

Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part I)

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 15, 2023

Only here on ancientegyptblog will you hear someone say “Look at how gorgeous this is 𓄤𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑” 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)!

Me with the gorgeous Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

I spent so long just trying to take in all of the beautiful 𓄤 images 𓅱𓏏𓅱𓏪 of the gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹 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.

A view of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Muesum

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest 𓊹𓍛 named Nespanetjerenpere. While to many the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱𓏪 may seem like random pictures of the gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹, 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 𓄟𓍿𓅱.

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 𓊹 Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 journey across the sky 𓊪𓏏𓇯 during the day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 – and through the netherworld 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 at night 𓎼𓂋𓎛𓄛. The images 𓅱𓏏𓅱𓏪 of the gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹 can almost be thought of as the picture-book version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺.

While the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱𓏪 of the gods 𓊹𓊹𓊹 are so delicately drawn, the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 going down the middle of the coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 seem to be unfinished and roughly done. The hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 show the very standard offering formula!

𓇓𓏏𓊵𓏙 – An Offering the King Gives

𓊩𓁹 – Osiris

𓏅 – Foremost

𓋀𓏏𓏏𓈊 – West

The inscription reads: “An Offering the King Gives Osiris, Foremost of the West.”

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

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

Tags artifact, brooklyn museum, gods and goddesses

Reading Hieroglyphs

Cleopatra VII’s Cartouche

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 13, 2023

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today we are going to take a closer look at Cleopatra VII’s 𓈎𓃭𓇋𓍯𓊪𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 cartouche 𓏠𓈖𓈙𓍷!

Cleopatra VII 𓈎𓃭𓇋𓍯𓊪𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 is arguably one of the most famous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 to ever rule Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 and one of the most famous women in history. Even though Cleopatra VII 𓈎𓃭𓇋𓍯𓊪𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek, she is considered to be the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖.

Cleopatra VII’s Cartouche on a statue on display at the MET

This picture shows the birth name cartouche 𓏠𓈖𓈙𓍷 of Cleopatra VII 𓈎𓃭𓇋𓍯𓊪𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇! Since Cleopatra VII 𓈎𓃭𓇋𓍯𓊪𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek and not native Egyptian, this cartouche 𓏠𓈖𓈙𓍷 of hers is very phonetic – most of the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 used are uniliteral signs, which means that they correspond to a single sound, just like a letter in the alphabet.

Let’s take a closer look!

𓈎 – The “sandy slope 𓈎” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram associated with the sound “q.”

𓃭 – the “recumbent lion 𓃭” was traditionally a biliteral phonogram for the sound “rw,” however, during the Hellenistic Period it adopted the sound of “L.”

𓇋 – The “reed 𓇋” represents the sound of “ı͗,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word “reed 𓇋𓏺.”

𓍯 – The “lasso 𓍯” was traditionally a biliteral phonogram for “w3” (wah) but became evolved to adopt the sound of “o.”

𓊪 – The “stool 𓊪” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound “p.”

𓄿 – The “Egyptian Vulture 𓄿” represents the sound “3” which would be pronounced like “ah.”

𓂧 – The “hand 𓂧” represents the sound “d” and is also the ideogram for the word “hand.”

𓂋 – The “mouth 𓂋” symbol is used to represent the sound “r.” It can also be used as an ideogram for the word “mouth 𓂋𓏺.”

𓏏 – The “flat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound “t.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word “bread 𓏏𓏺.”

𓄿 – see above!

𓆇 – The “egg 𓆇” symbol is kind of used as a determinative here?? The “egg 𓆇” is usually used this way in the name of the goddess “Isis 𓊨𓏏𓆇,” who was a very popular deity at the time so there is probably a relation. The “egg 𓆇” symbol can adopt different sounds depending on how it’s used.

It’s pretty cool to see the versatility of the hieroglyphic 𓊹𓌃𓏪 symbols with examples of foreign names 𓂋𓈖𓏦!

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

Tags cleopatra iv, hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, the met

Egyptian Artifacts

Composite Papyrus Capital

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 11, 2023

This piece is called the “Composite 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 “capital” is the name of the decorated uppermost part of the column 𓅱𓐍𓇋𓇅!

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 𓉟𓏏𓉐 building program that Nectanbo I 𓈖𓆱𓐍𓏏𓂡𓃭𓆑 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 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 is a desert 𓅟𓂋𓏏𓈊, is has always had diverse plant 𓇐𓅓𓆰 life thanks to the Nile River 𓇋𓏏𓂋𓅱𓈗𓈘𓈇𓏺. 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 𓇋𓏏𓂋𓅱𓈗𓈘𓈇𓏺 and were quite important to the Egyptian economy.

Some of the preserved colors they can be seen are green 𓇅𓄿𓆓𓏛, yellow and red 𓂧𓈙𓂋𓅟. I always love when stone 𓇋𓈖𓂋𓊪 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.

Tags artifact, nectanbo i, the met

Video

Wax Ushabtis – Video

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 10, 2023

Before ushabtis 𓆷𓄿𓍯𓃀𓏏𓏮𓀾𓏪 evolved in the 12th Dynasty, wax 𓏠𓈖𓎛𓏸𓏦 figurines that looked like humans (and had their own mini coffins 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱𓏦) were placed in tombs 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐𓏪 with the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱!

These precursor-ushabtis 𓆷𓄿𓍯𓃀𓏏𓏮𓀾𓏪 were made of beeswax and beeswax was said to have magical 𓎛𓂓𓄿𓏜 powers of protection 𓅓𓂝𓎡𓀜, resurrection, and regeneration. The figures are somewhat detailed and were wrapped in a linen cloth 𓍱 and placed in the mini-coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱. The coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱 did not identify any role or jobs that the figure had (like the text on a ushabti 𓆷𓄿𓍯𓃀𓏏𓏮𓀾 could identify what it’s job was), but it did identify the name 𓂋𓈖 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. Sometimes even the standard Offering Formula (𓇓𓏏𓊵𓏙 an offering the king gives) appeared on the mini-coffin 𓋴𓅱𓎛𓏏𓆱 as if it were a real one!

If these figures weren’t workers, then what was their purpose? It is thought that this figure would take the place of the body should the body of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 be destroyed.

These particular wax 𓏠𓈖𓎛𓏸𓏦 figures belonged to Queen Neferu, who lived during the 11th Dynasty (c. 2051–2030B.C.E) during the reign of Montuhotep II 𓏠𓈖𓍿𓅱𓊵𓏏𓊪. Her tomb 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐 had many of these wax 𓏠𓈖𓎛𓏸𓏦 figures, however in general, not many similar ones have been found (in comparison to the amount of ushabtis 𓆷𓄿𓍯𓃀𓏏𓏮𓀾𓏪 that have been found).

Ushabtis 𓆷𓄿𓍯𓃀𓏏𓏮𓀾𓏪 evolved into the little worker figures we know today during the 12th Dynasty, but became very popular during the New Kingdom.

Wax Ushabtis on display at the MET

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

Tags artifact, shabti, the met, ushabti, video

Reading Hieroglyphs

“Given Life”

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 9, 2023

“Given Life 𓏙𓋹”

“Given Life” in raised relief on display at the MET

Happy 800 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 posts to @ancientegyptblog (on Instagram)! I honestly can’t believe how much I’ve written, but what’s even more unbelievable is how many people have read what I’ve written! I’m not going to lie; I’m so proud!

“Given Life 𓏙𓋹” is such a simple and easy phrase to learn when you’re starting on your hieroglyph 𓊹𓌃 journey. While “Given Life 𓏙𓋹” is a super common phrase to see in inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥, it is also super meaningful in ancient Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖 – that’s why it appeared everywhere! A lot of inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥 either started or ended with “Given Life 𓏙𓋹.” Usually, these inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥 were meant to preserve the name 𓂋𓈖 of the deceased, so their soul 𓂓𓏺 could continue to live on.

You all have “Given Life 𓏙𓋹” to not only my posts, but more importantly, to my memories about my Nonno and also his knowledge 𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏜 that he shared with me. This account started as a memorial for my Nonno, and it always will be. Thank you 𓋴𓏏𓍯𓄿𓀢 guys!!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Let’s break down these two 𓏻 symbols and take a closer look at what they mean:

The “bread mold 𓏙” symbol is functions as a phonogram for “d” or “ḏj” and also as “rdj” in the word for “give.” The most common use for this symbol is as the word “give.”

The “sandal strap 𓋹” more commonly known as the “Ankh,” is a triliteral phonogram that has the sound “ˁnḫ” which would sound like “ankh.” While it can also be an ideogram for “sandal strap” and “mirror,” the “sandal strap 𓋹” is much more commonly seen as the word for “Life.”

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

Tags hieroglyph lessons, hieroglyphs, the met

Egyptian Artifacts

Water Clock

Post author By ancientegyptblog7
Post date June 8, 2023

The ancient Egyptians 𓆎𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏪 were no doubt masters of math and science 𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏜! 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 𓍬𓏏𓊌 (also known as the “shadow clock”), which was the first portable time keeping device! They also invented a device called a Water Clock 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻.

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 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻. The water clock 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻 is the first clock that doesn’t depend on an astronomical object to tell the time! The oldest water clock 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻 known was found in the tomb 𓇋𓇩𓊃𓉐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep I 𓇋𓏠𓈖𓊵𓏏𓊪(c. 1500 B.C.E.). The Greeks even adopted the use of water clocks 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻𓏪 around 325 B.C.E. and named them “clepsydras” which translates to “water thieves.”

A water clock 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻 is a round vessel/vase that has a hole at the bottom that allowed water 𓈗 to drip through at a slow pace. Water clocks 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻𓏪 were usually used to tell time at night 𓎼𓂋𓎛𓄛, but they might have been used during the day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 too. The water 𓈗 was drained from the vessel after twelve 𓎆𓏻 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 𓈙𓃀𓅱𓃻 is really cool because it has the cartouche 𓏠𓈖𓈙𓍷 of Alexander the Great 𓄿𓃭𓎡𓊃𓇋𓈖𓂧𓂋𓊃 on it! Alexander the Great’s 𓄿𓃭𓎡𓊃𓇋𓈖𓂧𓂋𓊃 name 𓂋𓈖 is written with all phonogram symbols, which shows the versatility of hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Even foreign names 𓂋𓈖𓏦 could be written with ease!

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

Tags alexander the great, artifact, brooklyn museum

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