When the ancient Egyptians πππππͺ built ππ€π ±π΄π§ any type of structure or building π, they would put objects in the foundation as a ceremonial practice. Hatshepsut’s ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ temple at Deir el-Bahri π¦ππ¦π₯π had at least fourteen ππ½ foundation deposits, and eight πΏ of them were found by the MET when the team from the museum was excavating the temple π¦ππ¦π₯π.
Inside the foundation deposits, ointment jars (like from my post earlier this week), pottery containing food, linen π± cloth, reed mats, model tools, and meat offerings π΅ππͺπππ¦ were found. The offerings π΅ππͺπππ¦ were placed at significant points around the perimeter of the building. The picture ππ ±π you are looking at is a reconstruction of the foundation deposit as it was found when it was being excavated at Deir el-Bahri π¦ππ¦π₯π.
It’s so cool to have a glance as to how some of these objects were found by archaeologists!
Foundation deposits are so interesting because they contain every-day type objects (usually with royal cartouches inscribed on them) that give Egyptologists a glance into the life of the “regular” ancient Egyptians πππππͺ!