Tag: artifact

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Egyptian Artifacts

Gilded Wooden Coffin

The British Museum has so many different sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦ in their collection that it was almost overwhelming trying to see everything! I loved getting to see all of the different types of coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ/sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦!

Gilded Wooden Coffin
A wooden coffin at the British Museum that was once fully covered in gold leaf. This was a popular way to make coffins seem like they were made of solid gold in ancient Egypt!

This particular sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­, or it is better defined as a β€œmummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾” due to its human appearance instead of an oval or rectangular shape. These mummiform coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are usually made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 with a gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf overlay. This is a really cool ancient Egyptian β€œtrick” because the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf makes it look like the sarcophagus 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is made of pure gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ when it is not! Gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ is classified as a metal which means it is extremely malleable. Malleability is the ability of a metal to be hammered into very thin sheets. The gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf overlaying this sarcophagus 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is probably thinner than aluminum foil! 

I love pieces like this that are a little β€œworn” because it allows you a deeper look into the processes by which they were made! There is a hole in the forehead, which is where the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 would be and the missing gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf allows the underlying wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 to be seen. The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 have stood the test of time and are still striking! 

There are three 𓏼 common ways to write β€œcoffin” or β€œsarcophagus” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. There are definitely other variants, but this is what I have come across most often! 

𓅱𓇋𓀾 – The Mummiform Coffin, which usually takes on a human shape

π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± – A coffin, usually made of wood (hence the determinative for β€œwood 𓆱” in the word) 

π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ – A sarcophagus, usually made of stone in a rectangular or oval shape. 

This is where translating English and Middle Egyptian together can be a tiny bit difficult because we tend to use all of these words interchangeably in English!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Pendura and Nefertari

This is a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 my Nonno took at the Museo Egizio in Torino, Italy.Β That is the main reason why I love this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 so much; I love seeing Egyptian artifacts through the eyes of my Nonno! I wish I could have visited the Museo Egizio with him!

Statue of Pendura and Nefertari
Statue of Pendura and Nefertari at the Museo Egizio in Torino, Italy

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 depicts Pendura, a scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ and his wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 Nefertari. This is a very typical β€œcouples statue,” which is a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 that depicts a husband π“‰”π“„Ώπ“‡Œπ“‚Ίπ“€€ and wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 embracing π“‡‹π“†›π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“€œ. They are both also wearing stylish wigs 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸𓏦.Β 

If you look closely in between Pendura and Nefertari, you can see one of their daughters 𓅭𓏏π“₯ carved into the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾.Β  The back of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 contains invocations to the gods, including Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€, Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί, Mut 𓏏𓅑𓁐, Khonsu π“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“…±π“€―, and Atum π“‡‹π“π“‚Ÿπ“€­.Β 

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was found at Deir el-Medina, and was originally located in a funeral chapel. The funeral chapel would be where family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 members left offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, as those offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 would help to sustain their kas π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ (souls). This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dated to the 19th Dynasty reign π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“.

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Video

Video – Egyptian Amulets and Molds

@ancientegyptblog

This video reveals the β€œsecret” to how the ancient Egyptians were able to make so many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ that were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© and detailed – they used molds! These molds are typically made of terracotta and allowed artists to not only mass produce amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, but also make the amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ small and detailed! The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ that you see in the video are grapes, daisy/rosette, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗, Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ, the Eye of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, the Eye of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛, various types of plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰, scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ, and then some rings π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“‹ͺ𓏦! I didn’t point them out in the video, but see if you can spot the frogs π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‚‹π“†π“¦!! Lets’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! See if you can spot these in the video!! π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (throne name for Amenhotep III) π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† – Amenhotep III (birth name) π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ – King’s Great Wife π“˜π“‡Œπ“­- Tiye Tjis is my personal video and original text DO NOT repost! #ancientEgypt #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #ancientegyptblog #egyptology #anticoegitto #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

This video reveals the β€œsecret” to how the ancient Egyptians were able to make so many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ that were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© and detailed – they used molds! These molds are typically made of terracotta and allowed artists to not only mass produce amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, but also make the amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ small and detailed! 

The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ that you see in the video  are grapes, daisy/rosette, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗, Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ, the Eye of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, the Eye of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛, various types of plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰, scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ, and then some rings π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“‹ͺ𓏦! I didn’t point them out in the video, but see if you can spot the frogs π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‚‹π“†π“¦!!

Lets’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! See if you can spot these in the video!!

π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (throne name for Amenhotep III)

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† – Amenhotep III (birth name)

π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ – King’s Great Wife

π“˜π“‡Œπ“­- Tiye 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and most importantly, my Nonno!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Hedgehog Amulet

I think hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ are such cute little animals!! I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things, so a hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† is perfect for me because both hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ and amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©! This particular blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› is from the Petrie Museum in London! Plus, I think hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ are such cute animals!

Hedgehog Amulet
A blue faience hedgehog amulet at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London

The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ used amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ a lot in both their daily life and afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! No matter who was wearing it, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ had the same function: to invoke magical protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the wearer! Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ could represent gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“, everyday objects, hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰, animals, and many other things! While many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were usually placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 on their journey to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife), amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ could also be worn by the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ too! 

In ancient Egypt, the hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› was associated with rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±, which is a concept central to the ancient Egyptian religion. This association occurred because when food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ is scarce, hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ will retreat into their underground burrows for long periods of time. Hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ only re-emerge from their burrows during times of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ abundance. This disappearing/appearing pattern strongly correlated with the concept of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± to the ancient Egyptians. 

Hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were placed in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ in order to invoke rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. Hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were also thought to provide protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ against snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 bites. Most hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are dated to the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom, with their popularity peaking around the 18th Dynasty. 

β€œHedgehog” can be written in two 𓏻 ways in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­

π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›

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Egyptian Artifacts

A “Ushabti Army”

I refer to this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 as the β€œUshabti Army” – it’s no secret how much I absolutely love ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ (all thanks to how much my Nonno loved them)!Β 

Ushabti Army
A “Ushabti Army” at the Vatican Museum!

My Nonno took this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 when we were at the Vatican Museum together π“ˆ–π“Š—! Sometimes it takes me a while to want to share my Nonno’s pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 because I’m selfish and want to keep them to myself, but I also want to share his pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 with everyone so we can all remember him together π“ˆ–π“Š—. I guess it’s all a balance. Plus, his birthday is this week, so I am very sad about that because I miss my Nonno so much.Β 

So why did a deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person have a β€œUshabti Army?” People who could afford it were buried with over 400 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 ushabtisΒ  π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ! Usually there were 365 π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ worker ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ (one for each day of the year) and then overseer ushabtis! The overseers ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were there to make sure all of the others were doing their work!Β 

The ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are made of clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡/terracotta. During the 3rd Intermediate Period, these materials replaced the popular stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ or faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ. So many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ have been found from this time period that many of them were sold or given to museums around the world 𓇾𓇾. Did you know that there were so many that the Egyptian Museum in Cairo even sold authentic ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ to tourists at one point?! 

Fun Fact: the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ had originally calculated the year to be 365 π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ days, and then they revised it to 365.25 days – which is the actual length modern scientists calculated based on the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 revolution around the Sun 𓇳𓏺! How incredible is that?!

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Video

Video – Statues of Isis and Horus

@ancientegyptblog

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms – especially my mom who is my director/camerawoman! Anytime you see me on camera or a picture of me, my mom is the one who probably took it! In honor of Mother’s Day, let’s take a look at Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­! The image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a baby is one of the most popular images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of the Third Intermediate Period, Late Period and even through the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods. This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 appeared in bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦, stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ, and even as small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ! My Nonno would always point out these pieces of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a baby because he felt they were so significant to the evolution of religious art through time. While my Nonno loved Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ and Roman art, he also loved Christian/Biblical art, so these Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were kind of a natural connection between his area of interests! I always make sure to look for statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ like this in museums whenever I visit! Symbolically, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was thought to be the mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and was often associated with motherhood, the protection of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, and a user of magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ. As Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ became a more popular religious figure, she was associated with cosmological order and was considered to be the embodiment of fate by the Romans. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was widely worshipped during the Roman times, and Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a baby has even appeared on the back of Roman coins. This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of a mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 holding a child π“π“‡Œπ“€• is thought to have inspired the well known Catholic images of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus as a baby. Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, Egyptian mythology, art, culture and more! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt #egyptology #mothersday #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #anticoegitto #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #ancientegyptblog #horus

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

The image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a baby is one of the most popular images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of the Third Intermediate Period, Late Period and even through the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods.  This video examines the significance of the statues of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­!

This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 appeared in bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦, stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ, and even as small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ! My Nonno would always point out these pieces of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a baby because he felt they were so significant to the evolution of religious art through time. 

While my Nonno loved Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ and Roman art, he also loved Christian/Biblical art, so these Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were kind of a natural connection between his area of interests! I always make sure to look for statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ like this in museums whenever I visit! 

Symbolically, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was thought to be the mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and was often associated with motherhood, the protection of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, and a user of magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ.  As Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ became a more popular religious figure, she was associated with cosmological order and was considered to be the embodiment of fate by the Romans.  Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was widely worshipped during the Roman times, and Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ feeding Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a baby has even appeared on the back of Roman coins.

This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of a mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 holding a child π“π“‡Œπ“€• is thought to have inspired the well known Catholic images of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus as a baby. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

False Door of Tjetji and Debet

This is an incomplete False Door (right and left panels) and a door jamb (upper panel) from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 and his wife Debet. False Doors are an extremely important part of ancient Egyptian funerary practices. False Doors served as ways for the living relatives to make offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. The False Door acted as a link between the land of the living and the land of the dead.

False Door of Tjetji and Debet
False Door of Tjetji (left) and Debet (right) with their door jamb (top) at the British Museum.

This Large piece is from the 4th Dynasty reign of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘. Khafre π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ is one of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 that built the Great Pyramids at Giza, and Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 was clearly part of the action! 

The top panel shows Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 and Debet sitting at an offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ underneath the offering table show that bread 𓏐,  beer π“Š, linen π“‹² and alabaster 𓍱 were offered to them. On either side of the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 is a palace-facade, which still shows some signs of red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ and black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦. 

Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 (left) has the title of β€œKing’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏.” The title β€œKing’s Acquaintance π“‡“π“‚‹π“π“β€œ is taken to mean that the person was close to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 is also referred to as the β€œOverseer of the Pyramid of Khafre π“…“π“‚‹(π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘)𓅨𓉴,” so clearly Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 had a lot going on! This is probably why Tjetji 𓍿𓍿𓇋 and his wife Debet got such a nice burial! 

On the side with Debet (right) their children’s names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“₯ are all written out! 

Can you spot Khafre’s π“‡³π“ˆπ“†‘ cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the relief? It shows up quite a few times!! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Senemut and Neferure

This is a beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… and Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 – and I love these types of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ because they were seemingly invented by Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… himself and also give some insight into this time period!

Senemut and Neferure
A statue of Senemut holding Neferure (The Louvre)

Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓. Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… was Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ closest advisor, the tutor for her daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and the architect responsible for building her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her. But honestly, no one really knows how Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… climbed the social ranks so dramatically and we probably never will! 

This is a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… holding Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and many of these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ exist, however, this one is a tiny bit different than some of the other similar statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ I have seen. This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 wrapped in a blanket and being held tight by Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…. Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 has a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on her head (like royalty) and also at her feet. Was this Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on her head to show that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ intended for Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 to rule as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 after her? 

There are many differing theories on Senemut’s relationship with Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓. Many believe (including myself) that they were having an affair. There’s even graffiti from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ builders in some unfinished tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ that show that they too believed that Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓 and Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… were romantically involved. Gossiping about relationships seems to have always been something that people have done! 

It has even been speculated by some, based off of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ such as the one I have pictured, that Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… was actually Neferure’s 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀 father 𓇋𓏏𓀀! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Hatshepsut and International Women’s Day

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 was International Womens Day and I didn’t get a chance to post, so I am going to post today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³! This picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is ten years π“Ž† old (it’s from 2013) and of course it’s me and Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ at the MET! This gallery looks a little bit different now and the Maned Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is no longer with the White Limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ Statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! Not going to lie, but I love seeing these two 𓏻 together π“ˆ–π“Š— and I miss the old Gallery 115 setup!Β 

Hatshepsut and International Women's Day
Me and the Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut (left) and the White Limestone Statue of Hatshepsut (right)

Let’s learn a bit more about my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, the legendary Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ!Β Not only was she the most successful female pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 in Egyptian history, she was just one of the most successful pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ ever!

Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ was the first pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 to state her divine conception and birth π“„Ÿ through images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 and text π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ at her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ story shows that the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ was her father, and this reinforced her right to rule π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ. These images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 were not available to the public, but only to a select few such as priests π“ŠΉπ“›π“ͺ and officials π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€π“ͺ so it probably wasn’t propaganda. 

What caused Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ to want to claim herself as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻? We will probably never know the events that caused this to happen, so anything written by Egyptologists is mostly speculative. Whatever the reasoning, I’m glad that she did become pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 because Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ has been my inspiration ever since I was a little girl and my Nonno taught me about her for the first 𓏃 time! I’ll never forget learning that a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ was the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Seeing these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in the museum give me joy each time! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of Thutmosis III from Elephantine

Today I am standing with a relief which contains the cartouches of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 from Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ! Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ is an island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί on the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί, and it forms part of the city of Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– in Upper Egypt 𓇓! According to ancient Egyptian religion, Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ was where the god π“ŠΉ Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ lived and he controlled the waters π“ˆ— of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί from caves beneath the island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί!Β 

The Temple of Satet 𓋴𓍿𓏏𓄝𓉐 (or Satis 𓋴𓄝𓏏𓏏𓀭) is on the island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί of Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ and while it began to be built during the pre-dynastic period, it was rebuilt several times, most notably during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, and then the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. They both mostly expanded the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ and made it much larger. The relief I am standing with is from that temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰!Β 

Cartouches of Thutmosis III
Me with a relief from the Temple at Elephantine, which shows the cartouches of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Thutmosis III.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Two 𓏻 of Thutmosis III’s cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ appear on this relief, so let’s take a closer look at each of them! We are going to look at the throne name (𓇳𓏠𓆣) first! 

𓇳𓏠𓆣 Menkhepperra β€œLasting is the Manifestation of Re” 

𓇳 – Re 

𓏠 – Lasting

𓆣 – Manifestation

Let’s look at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! It’s hard to see which variant is in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 but I think it’s this one: 

π“…π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“„€π“†£ – Thutmosis III (Thoth is Born, Beautiful of Form)

𓅝 – Thoth

π“„Ÿπ“Šƒ – Born

π“„€ – Beautiful 

𓆣 – Form

Underneath the cartouches, this famous phrase β€œπ“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€π“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ appears: 

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Š½ – Stability 

π“Œ€ – Strength 

𓇳 – Ra

𓏇 – Like

This translates to β€œLife, Stability, and Strength Like Ra.” The extra β€œπ“Ίβ€ is there as an aesthetic placeholder!Β All pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wanted to be like Ra, so it is a fitting phrase to be put after the name of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.