Tag: artifact

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Reading Hieroglyphs

False Door of Metjetji

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to be looking at a section of a False Door from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of an official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ named Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋. Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 lived during the Fifth or Sixth Dynasties (Old Kingdom) during the reign π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Unas π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹΄ or slightly later.Β 

False Door of Metjetji
The False Door of Metjetji which contains a list of offerings for his use in the afterlife.

On the False Door, we see Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 on the left sitting in front of an offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃. The offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 seems to have a lot of jars on it! The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that we see are a part of the offering formula! 

Fun fact: usually the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the person is facing the same way as the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!  Since the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (and also Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋) are pointing to the right, we will start reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ from the right! Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are always read from top to bottom, so we will read that way as well!  

This is a list of all of the things that Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 needs in order to sustain him in the afterlife! 

𓇓𓏏𓀻 – King’s Nobleman/King’s Gentleman

𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 – Metjetji

𓆼𓏐- A thousand bread

𓆼𓃾 – A thousand ox 

𓆼𓅿 – A thousand fowl 

𓆼𓍲 – A thousand alabaster (I think this is a mistake – it should be β€œπ“±β€ and not β€œπ“²β€)

𓆼𓋲 – A thousand linen 

𓆼𓏖 – A thousand round loafs of bread

π“†Όπ“Š – A thousand beer

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Video

Mummy Case of Nespanetjerenpere – Video

Only here on ancientegyptblog will you hear someone say β€œLook at how gorgeous this is 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑” about a coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 or other type of funerary object! Be sure to watch the video to see all of the details on the front of this wonderful coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾!

@ancientegyptblog

There are so many beautiful π“„€ images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾! Who are some of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ you can see?! Let me know in the comments! This coffin is made of cartonnage, which is a material that is made when linen 𓍱 or papyrus 𓍯𓇅 mixed with plaster! This is from the Third Intermediate Period, and dates from the 22nd – 25th Dynasties. This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named Nespanetjerenpere. While to many the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ may seem like random pictures of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, it is actually a collection of carefully selected religious symbols meant to help guide Nespanetjerenpere on his journey to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 and and ensure rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt #egyptology #ancientegyptblog #hieroglyphics #egitto #μ΄μ§‘νŠΈ #egyptianhistory #anticoegitto #egyptologist #egyptianmythology #brooklynmuseum

♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi

There are so many beautiful π“„€ images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾! This coffin is made of cartonnage, which is a material that is made when linen 𓍱 or papyrus 𓍯𓇅 mixed with plaster! 

This is from the Third Intermediate Period, and dates from the 22nd – 25th Dynasties. 

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named Nespanetjerenpere. While to many the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ may seem like random pictures of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, it is actually a collection of carefully selected religious symbols meant to help guide Nespanetjerenpere on his journey to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 and and ensure rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. 

Nespanetjerenpere
Mummy case of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

The ram headed pendant on his chest is meant to represent the sun 𓇳 god π“ŠΉ Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 journey across the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 during the day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 – and through the netherworld 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 at night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„›. The images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ can almost be thought of as the picture-book version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

While the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are so delicately drawn, the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ going down the middle of the coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 seem to be unfinished and roughly done. 

Nespanetjerenpere
Mummy case of Nespanetjerenpere showing the hieroglyphs and images of the gods.

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ show the very standard offering formula:

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

π“Š©π“Ή – Osiris

𓏅 – Foremost 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

The inscription reads: β€œAn Offering the King Gives Osiris, Foremost of the West.”

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

@ancientegyptblog 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Osiris Cartouche

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

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a man named Amenemopet who lived during the early part of the 22nd Dynasty (c. 975–909 B.C.E.).Β This coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 has what I like to call “The Osiris Cartouche” painted inside!

The Osiris Cartouche
The Osiris Cartouche is located on the bottom panel of this coffin at the MET.

If you look closely at the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 artwork inside this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 there’s a lot of different things going on! The uppermost row of artwork in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 purifying π“‹΄π“ƒ‚π“ˆ— the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, whose is surrounded by offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 covered in food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯! 

Above Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 there are some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

π“ŽŸ – Lord

𓇽 – Duat (the ancient Egyptian word for β€œNetherworld”)

Is it Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 being referred to as the β€œLord of the Duat,” or is it Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­? Usually this epithet was used with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! 

One of the cool things you can see on the bottom panel is Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! While this doesn’t happen often, there are instances where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ will appear in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· and since this coffin does not belong to a pharaoh, a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is not expected! But Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was believed to be the first pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, so I guess a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is fitting! 

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are: π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. Let’s break down the symbols! 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this translates to β€œOsiris, Lord of Eternity.”

The cartouche is flanked by the Golden Horus symbol π“…‰ on either side which is a Falcon π“…ƒ standing on top of the symbol for gold π“‹ž. The common symbols of protection, the Eye of Horus and Eye of Ra also appear above the Golden Horus π“…‰, along with the shen ring in between the Falcon’s wings. The Shen 𓍢 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness and eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Pyramid Texts of Pepy I

This small relief on display at the Petrie Museum is a section of β€œThe Pyramid Texts” which is the oldest known funerary/religious writings in the world. The original text dates back to the Old Kingdom.Β 

The Pyramid Texts of Pepy I
A small relief which contains the Pyramid Texts of Pepy I

The Pyramid Texts can be thought of as a precursor to both the Coffin Texts and the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺! The main differences between these religious texts are that the Pyramid Texts were only accessible to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 because they were only carved inside of the pyramids 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴𓏦. Also, the Pyramid Texts were also not illustrated!

This particular section of the Pyramid Texts contains a spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› that Pepy I π“Šͺ𓇋π“Šͺ𓇋 would say that would provide him with food and drink for eternity 𓆖! Here is a piece of the leftmost column that I could translate (a lot is cut off): 

𓇋𓅱 – My/I

π“‡¬π“ˆŽπ“ˆŽ – Eat

𓏏𓏐- Bread

π“Š- Beer

The cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of the 6th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Pepy I π“Šͺ𓇋π“Šͺ𓇋 was one of the first cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ I learned to read/recognize because it’s written with only uniliteral hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! A lot of the Old Kingdom pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ have names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ spelled with uniliteral signs, which makes them great for beginners to read/learn! One of the ways I started learning hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ was by practicing reading the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯! 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols in Pepy’s π“Šͺ𓇋π“Šͺ𓇋 cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·: 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp,” and does not have any other grammatical functions!

The β€œreed 𓇋” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram and most commonly represents the sound of β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Funerary Cones

I love Gallery 117 at the MET so much! The objects in here may not look like much to the average person (they probably just look like a bunch of rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦), but to me they are a beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 piece in the story of ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!Β 

Funerary Cones
Me in Gallery 117 at the MET – the Funerary Cones are in a display behind me!

While not as artistically decorated as most of the artifacts in the Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ collections of museums, these β€œfunerary cones” were always something my Nonno pointed out to me! He thought they were so interesting and now every time I go to museums, I actively seek these out as a way to remember my Nonno! He loved this little gallery at the MET solely because of the funerary cones! 

Funerary cones (a modern name given to these objects) are made of clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ and usually found at the openings of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ at Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– (almost exclusively). They were used primarily during the 18th Dynasty (though there are examples that date to the 11th Dynasty or as late as the 19th-20th Dynasties).

While the exact usage of the funerary cones is not known, but they are inferred to be architectural decorations, tomb labels, symbolic offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦, or even as passports to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! Thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of these cones have been excavated to date! Every museum I have been to has a collection of these funerary cones!

The end of the funerary cone is usually circular in shape and usually contains an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ with the name of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ occupant as well as a god π“ŠΉ.

An example inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that is common on a funerary cone would be something like: β€œVenerated before Osiris, Son of ____, Name of Deceased.” 

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated 

𓐍𓂋 – Before

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“…­ – Son

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Stela of Rameses II

This is a large sandstone stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ of Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ on display at the Brooklyn Museum.Β Β 

Stela of Rameses II
Stela of Rameses II on display at the Brooklyn Museum!

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ talk about how Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ founded the town of Meriamun, and how he established the cult of Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– there. The stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was a way to commemorate Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ presenting statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ to the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³. 

The image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows (from left to right) Mut 𓏏𓄿𓀭, Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–, and Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. Rameses II can be seen wearing the blue crown, also known as the khepresh π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ crown which was very popular among New Kingdom pharaohs 𓉐𓉻! 

Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ is receiving symbols of kingship (the crook π“‹Ύ) from the god π“ŠΉ Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³. This is meant to represent that Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ saw Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ as a legitimate and rightful ruler! The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻 believed that they were direct descendants of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ (in the 18th – 19th Dynasties Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–/Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ kind of replaces Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ in popularity as king 𓇓 of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ) and that they were gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on Earth.Β 

It was also really cool that five 𓏾 of Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ appear on this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!Β These names appear on the top two rows of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Here are Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ five 𓏾 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦:Β 

π“ƒ’π“‚‘π“‡³π“Ίπ“€­π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Horus π“…ƒ Name (The Strong Bull, Beloved of Ra) 

π“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š–π“…±π“‚π“†‘π“²π“‚‘π“ˆŠπ“π“¦ – Nebty π“…’ Name (Protector of Egypt Who Curbs Foreign Lands”)

π“Œ‚π“π“‚‘π“„˜π“‚§π“‚‹π“‚‘π“Œ”π“π“€π“» – Golden Horus π“…‰ Name (β€œPowerful of Arm, He Who Has Subdued the Nine Bows”)

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Throne Name (β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra”)

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Birth Name (β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun”)

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Video

Objects from Malqata – Video

This video shows a gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which displays objects from Malqata!

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“.Β 

In this display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there are many different amphoras π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ! Amphoras π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ are a special type of pottery π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ that have a pointed bottom and two 𓏻 handles that were used for the storage and transport of various things in the ancient world! 

Ancient Egyptian amphoras π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“ͺ, such as these one found at Malqata, were usually made of red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ and then covered with a cream colored coat. They were then painted π“žπ“œ with blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ, or black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦.

You can also see various wall paintings that once adorned the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 walls at Malqata! I can’t even imagine how beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 and colorful this palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 once was!Β I hope you enjoyed seeing these objects from Malqata!

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Blog

“It’s A Small World” Hippo

The first time I ever went to Disney World, I went with my Nonno and Nonna when I was four years old! When we went on β€œIt’s a Small World,” I fell in love with the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― that winks at you! The hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― became my favorite part of the ride, and even to this day, I look forward to seeing the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―! And yes I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion but I LOVE going on β€œIt’s a Small World!” It’s one of my favorites! I’m not going to lie – I still to this day will wink back at the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―!Β 

"It's A Small World" Hippo
The hippo from “It’s a Small World” (top) and an ancient Egyptian hippo from the Brooklyn Museum

When I started studying ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– with my Nonno around when I was six years old, I always loved the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ because they reminded me of the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― on β€œIt’s a Small World!” It’s amazing how I loved the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― even before I started studying ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! 

A lot of the hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– have lotus flowers 𓆸π“ͺ painted all over them to associate them with rejuvenation! The hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ are most likely painted blue/green 𓇅𓆓𓏛 to represent the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί and rebirth. What’s really cool is that the β€œIt’s a Small World” hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― also has flowers painted on it and is also that blue/green 𓇅𓆓𓏛 color!Β 

"It's A Small World"
A girl sitting on a “solar barge” in “It’s A Small World” at Walt Disney World!

I have also included the other scene that represents Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– in the ride – there’s a girl sitting in a boat that resembles Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 solar barge 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž, pyramids 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴𓏦 and a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€!Β 

"It's A Small World"
The sphinx and pyramids in “It’s A Small World” at Walt Disney World!

Β I hope you’re enjoying my β€œAncient Egypt in Disney” series!

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Bronze Statue of Bastet

This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows a bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of the beloved π“Œ»π“‚‹π“‡Œ Egyptian goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dated to the Late Period – Ptolemaic Period (c. 664–30 B.C.E.).

Bronze Statue of Bastet
Bronze Statue of Bastet on display at the MET

The goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ were both depicted as cats 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠π“ͺ, however, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ usually had the body of a woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 while Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ usually had the body of a cat 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠. Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ is also usually distinguished from Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ by the sun disc 𓇳𓏺 that usually appears on her head!

However, when Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was depicted with the body of a woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 (like in this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾), she was usually holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ in one hand! Since Hathor 𓉑 was usually seen with sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ, this shows a link between the two 𓏻 goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“!

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 also shows Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ holding a basket π“‚π“‚‹π“‚π“‚‹π“Ž… in her elbow/arm (opposite the sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£) and a lion-headed aegis in the same arm. An aegis is an object that has the head of a deity π“ŠΉ (in this case a lion) with a broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ underneath it! The aegis itself was a protective π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ symbol associated with Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ and was used in rituals and festivals! The basket π“‚π“‚‹π“‚π“‚‹π“Ž… is thought to possibly hold kittens, but that is just an inference by historians and Egyptologists!

Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of pregnancy and childbirth and was considered to be the protective π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ form of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ so it is very fitting for her to be holding the aegis!

Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ and Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ were believed to be the two 𓏻 unpredictable personalities of the same goddess π“ŠΉπ“. While Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ represented the destructive and unpredictable side, Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was the gentler and calmer side. 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

A Predynastic Safari

Let’s go on a Predynastic Safari!

I love art from the Predynastic and Early Dynastic periods because the objects usually contain a lot of animals! This is a β€œHair Comb Decorated with Rows of Wild Animals” and it is dated to the Predynastic Period (c. 3200 – 3100 B.C.E.). This piece is made of ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ.Β 

A Predynastic Safari
While this piece is called “Hair Comb Decorated with Rows of Wild Animals” I like to refer to it as “A Predynastic Safari” since it shows so many different animals!

Archaeologists believe that it is a comb because the remnants of the teeth of the comb can still be seen along the bottom! It is thought that this was some type of ceremonial object and not just a regular comb due to the incredible details on it! I wonder if it was part of a burial?

The animals on this comb are arranged into five 𓏾 rows in raised relief and the incredible details show just how talented the Egyptian artists were even at the beginning of the civilization! It’s also interesting to see each row of animals facing in opposite directions! 

The top row shows elephants 𓍋𓃀𓅱𓃰π“ͺ standing on top of snakes π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜π“ͺ, which suggests some type of religious/cultural symbolism that we don’t know much about! The fact that this is the top row may also have some significance! While seeing snakes π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜π“ͺ is super common in Egyptian art and mythology, elephants 𓍋𓃀𓅱𓃰π“ͺ are not so it’s very cool to see a depiction of them!

The second row shows birds (they look like pelicans π“Šͺπ“‹΄π“†“π“π“…žπ“ͺ to me) and a giraffe 𓅓𓂝𓅓𓂝𓃱! Giraffes 𓅓𓂝𓅓𓂝𓃱π“ͺ are one of my absolute favorite animals and they do not appear often in Egyptian art even though they are native to the African Continent! During the Predynastic times, giraffes 𓅓𓂝𓅓𓂝𓃱π“ͺ and the Egyptians did occupy the same areas, however, as the climate became drier, the giraffes 𓅓𓂝𓅓𓂝𓃱π“ͺ migrated out of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– which is probably why they do not appear in the art/mythology as often!  

The third row shows hyenas 𓅓𓅓𓃑𓏦, the fourth row shows cattle 𓃒𓏦 and the fifth row shows boars π“‚‹π“‚‹π“‡‹π“ƒŸπ“¦! 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ