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Egyptian Artifacts

The Amduat (Part II)

This is Part 𓏻 of my posts on the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!Β Please check out Post I first!

Here are some close up pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 of a woman named Gautsoshen who lived during the 21st Dynasty. Sorry the pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 are a little blurry – it is difficult to get good pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 because of the way the display is! 

The images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 illustrate the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, which Gautsoshen (and other deceased people) would travel through with Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 over the twelve π“Ž†π“» hours of the night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„›.Β 

The Amduat
Picture 1: Gautsoshen standing before Osiris and Selket

The first picture (above) shows Gautsoshen standing before Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Selket π“Šƒπ“‚‹π“ˆŽπ“π“. Selket π“‹΄π“‚‹π“ˆŽπ“π“†« is one of the four 𓏽 goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ tasked with protecting the mummy.Β 

The Amduat
Picture 2: Ra descending into the Duat

The second picture (above) shows Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 (and by default, Gautsoshen) descending into the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, which is symbolically the sun 𓇳𓏺 setting in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ. Many of the characters that dwell in the Duat are depicted, such as the two 𓏻 lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ who represent the east 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭 and the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ.Β 

Can you spot the variant for β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓇼𓏏𓉐” in this picture?!

The Amduat
Picture 3: This image shows various deities, the most prominent being the hare-headed deities on the right.

The third picture (above) is a continuation of the second, and it shows two hare-headed deities. The female hare-headed deity is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Wenet/Unut π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“π“, who had the titles β€œLady of the Hour” and β€œThe Swift One.” Her companion, the male hare god π“ŠΉ is actually one of the late-period depictions of Osiris π“Š©π“Ή. As a hare, he took the name Un-nefer/Wennefer 𓃹𓄀𓀭. While not a super popular goddess π“ŠΉπ“, π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“π“ is mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺, as well as the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓇼𓏏𓉐.Β 

A bunch of the variants for the word β€œDuat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐” appear on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛! Can you spot them?

𓇽𓏏𓉐

𓇽𓉐

𓇼𓏏𓉐

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Amduat (Part 1)

Believe it or not, not every funerary papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is actually a copy of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺! These two 𓏻 papyrus scrolls 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 which belonged to a woman named Gautsoshen are actually a copy of the β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.”

The Amduat
A copy of the Amduat, on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The word β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐” is Middle Egyptian for β€œThat Which is in the Netherworld.” In modern times this text is known as β€œThe Book of the Hidden Chamber” and is a separate entity from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

Until the 21st Dynasty, the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 was reserved exclusively for pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and usually appeared on the walls of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ. The oldest version of the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 is in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 in the Valley of the Kings. The walls of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 also contain the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

The Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 is the journey that Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 takes from the time the sun 𓇳𓏺 sets in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ and then rises in the east 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭. The story takes place over the twelve π“Ž†π“» hours of the night, and each hour represents different deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ  (both friends and enemies) that the deceased person/Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 will encounter. 

Let’s break down the word β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.” 

𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭 – β€œBeing In” or β€œThat Which is In” 

𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 – Duat (Netherworld/Afterlife)Β 

Why is the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 referred to as the Netherworld and not the more popular term “Underworld?” The Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 is not underneath the current plane of living (like in Greek mythology or Christian faith) according to the Egyptian religion. The Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 exists in an in-between plane that doesn’t have a designated place.

This papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is dated to the 21st Dynasty (c. 1000–945 B.C.E.), which is right when the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 started being written on papyrus instead of on the walls of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ.

Please read Part II of my post on the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!Β 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Words Spoken By Duamutef

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to look at the following inscription: “π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ – Words Spoken By Duamutef” which is painted on a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ that is dated to the Middle Kingdom. One of my favorite things about this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ is the bright colors! It’s always incredible how beautiful and bright the colors are even after thousands of years!

Words Spoken By Duamutef
“Words Spoken By Duamutef” painted on a sarcophagus from the Middle Kingdom

β€œ π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is a really popular introduction to an inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– and it translates to β€œWords spoken by… π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–.” β€œπ“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is usually followed by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“. 

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra 𓆓 is a uniliteral sign, so it represents just one consonant. It represents the sound β€œαΈβ€ which would almost sound like a β€œj” when pronounced. 

The β€œstaff or walking stick π“Œƒβ€ functions as both a phonogram (in this phrase) and as an ideogram (for the word β€œ staff π“Œƒπ“Ίβ€). π“Œƒ is a triliteral phonogram symbol and represents the three consonant sound β€œmdw.”

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

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

Let’s take a look at Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! All of the symbols in Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– are also phonograms! 

The β€œstar 𓇼”  functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œdw3” (almost like β€œdua”). In other words, 𓇼 can also function as a determinative or ideogram. 

The β€œforearm with bread π“‚Ÿβ€œ symbol could either function as a uniliteral or biliteral phonogram depending on the word! π“‚Ÿ represented the sounds β€œm” or β€œmj.” The β€œforearm with bread π“‚Ÿβ€ could also be a determinative in the word for β€œgive π“‚‹π“‚Ÿ.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine! 

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative. 

So Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is something like β€œduamwttf” – which is very similar to β€œDuamutef!”

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
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 

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
Reading Hieroglyphs

Perfect, Beautiful, Neferet

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a very popular word that appears a lot in ancient Egyptian writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! The word β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹/𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏” translates to β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood” and can be used not only in titles such as β€œπ“ŠΉπ“„€ Perfect God” or names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ such as β€œNefertiti π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“‡π“˜π“»π“—,” but also in various words or phrases too! 

In Middle Egyptian there are a couple of ways to write β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood:” 

π“„€ – the hieroglyphic symbol β€œnfr” (nefer) can be used on its own to represent the word. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – this would also be pronounced as β€œnfr” (nefer) as the sounds by the uniliteral phonograms would not be repeated. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏 – this would be pronounced as β€œnfrt,” (neferet) as this is the female form of the word! This is the one that is in my picture! 

When determinatives are used, the meaning of this word can change so be careful! β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“β€ with the woman determinative means β€œbeautiful woman” while β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“ƒ’β€ with the cow determinative means cow! Determinatives can totally change the meaning of the word!Β 

Neferet
Neferet in hieroglyphs from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the horned viper 𓆑 is pointing to the left, we will start reading from the left! 

The β€œheart and windpipe 𓄀” symbol is a triliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œnfr” which in modern times we pronounce like β€œnefer.”

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative. As a stand-alone symbol, it can also mean he/his. 

The β€œ mouth – 𓂋” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œr” and can be an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine! 

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
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
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 

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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