Month: June 2023

Categories
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.

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ritual Statue

A β€œRitual Statue” was used in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– on processional boats to show the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 worshipping the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. Usually, the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ that appeared on these processional/ceremonial boats were of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ exclusively. This particular ritual statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is the earliest one found from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– that depicts a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

Ritual Statue
Ritual Statue of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Thutmosis III on display at the MET

Another important aspect of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is that it is made of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ – with the exception of a few Middle Kingdom examples, this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 seems to be the start of bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statuary in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!  Both ritual statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ and bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statuary became much more common during the Third Intermediate and Late Periods. 

My Nonno loved bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statuary, and I do too because they are always so well preserved and the details can easily be seen! On this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in particular, the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ around the eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 is still intact (some of the gold was restored) as is the nemset jar π“Œπ“Ί! The inlays in the eyebrows are missing, but might have been gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ or stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ. While an arm 𓂝𓏺 may be missing, this gives us insight into the artistic ingenuity of the Egyptian artisans; the arms 𓂝𓏦 attach perfectly into the grooves provided, which allowed for more detailed work! 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dated to the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom) and we know that because the throne name of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 appears on the belt that the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is wearing! Kneeling bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 dated to the New Kingdom are extremely rare! 

Egyptologists can also date this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 to the 18th Dynasty based on the clothes it is wearing; the combination of the Khepresh Crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and the way the skirt is styled (longer in the front) are very typical pharaonic fashion for the 18th Dynasty! 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is also very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© and is only 5 inches (13.1 cm) tall! 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Thoth on a Coffin

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ – with the god π“ŠΉ of writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ himself, Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭! I love Thoth 𓅝because I love hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and he’s my second favorite Egyptian deity!Β Let’s take a look at a depiction of Thoth on a coffin!

Thoth on a Coffin
Thoth on a Coffin depicted as an Ibis with a human body.

This photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows some details on the mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a man named Kharrushere who lived during the Third Intermediate Period/22nd Dynasty (c. 825–712 B.C.E.). Elaborately decorated coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are very typical of this time period and I love just looking at them and enjoying the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 art!

Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭 was represented in multiple ways, and was always associated with either the baboon or the ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀. When in humanoid form (like on this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾), he was represented as a human body with the head of an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀. 

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ that are to the left of Thoth! 

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By

π“…€ – Thoth (β€œDjeuty” in Middle Egyptian)

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ – Hieroglyphs (β€œDivine Words/Writing”)

Thoth π“…€π“€­ was thought to have invented writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, and was thus the god π“ŠΉ of all record keeping, hence the epithet β€œLord of the Divine Words/Writing π“ŽŸπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒ.” Due to his vast knowledge, π“‚‹π“π“π“œ Thoth π“Ÿ was thought to know magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ and secrets π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“†Ÿπ“›π“¦ that were unknown to the rest of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon. He was also the god π“ŠΉ of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ.

Thoth π“…€ has many ways to write his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs! Here are a few of them: 

π“…€π“€­ 

π“…€

𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭

𓅝𓏏𓏭

π“Ÿ

Most of the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon have many variations of ways to write their names in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ!

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Art in Amenhotep III’s Palace

The art in Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at present-day Malqata must have been such a sight to see! Malqata is located near Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– in Upper Egypt 𓇓 on the West Bank of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. One of the reasons why the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Malqata is so fascinating is because of the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 artwork that has been discovered throughout it!

Art in Amenhotep III's Palace
One of the many pieces of art in Amenhotep III’s Palace from Malqata. The duck and various forms of vegetation create a relaxing ambience!

Believe it or not, this beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 piece of art actually was part of the decoration on the floor in one of the rooms of the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐! I love how the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, green 𓇅𓄿𓆓𓏛, gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ and cream colors complement each other and make a relaxing ambience. Plus, I think ducks π“„Ώπ“Šͺ𓂧𓅭π“ͺ are adorable and I love how this duck π“„Ώπ“Šͺ𓂧𓅭 is just hanging out amongst the flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦/papyrus 𓇅𓆰 and other vegetation 𓇆𓆰π“₯! 

In order to celebrate his Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  built a new palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 which was referred to as β€œThe House of Rejoicing” at present day Malqata in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Heb Sed Festival π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ, also known as the β€œ30 Year Jubilee,” was meant to celebrate the 30th year of a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“. The construction started during year 11 π“Ž†π“Ί of his reign, and Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  made Malqata his primary residence by year 29 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“€π“Ί. 

Malqata was abandoned by Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– when he succeeded his father. Many archaeologists speculate that many of the artists 𓍍𓏏𓏭𓀁 and craftsmen that worked at Malqata also worked in the Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– workshops because similar floor-art has also been found at Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Memphis Triad

While Harry, Ron, and Hermione are most definitely my favorite trio of all time, the Memphis Triad comes pretty close!! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, groups of three 𓏼 gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are referred to as β€œtriads” by Egyptologists! Triads were groups of gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that usually had some type of familial significance to each other. Father 𓇋𓏏𓀀-Mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐-Child π“π“‡Œπ“€• triads and family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 units were extremely important to Egyptian culture!

The Memphis Triad
Ptah (left), Sekhmet (middle) and Imhotep (right) make up the Memphis Triad

The triads were usually made into a single statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, however, at the MET they have displayed these three 𓏼 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ together to form a triad which I think is so cool! This triad is known as the Memphis Triad, which consisted of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“€­ (left), Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ (middle) and Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (right). 

The Memphis Triad could also be Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, and Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯. Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 was the son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ in mythology. However, during the Ptolemaic times (which is when these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are dated to), Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ, and he kind of replaced Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 in the triad! Since Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was regarded by the Greeks as the Son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, this unofficially made Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐! 

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, meaning β€œHe who comes in peace,” was a non-royal man who became deified.  Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was not deified in his lifetime – it was 2,000 𓆼𓆼 years after his death that he began to be worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ by the Greeks. 

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