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Egyptian Artifacts

The Tyet Knot

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a symbol known as the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ or the Isis Knot π“Ž¬!Β 

Tyet Knot
The Tyet Knot drawn in the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (the MET)

This particular Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ is from the Book of the Dead of 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 Imhotep at the MET! Even though this Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is from the Ptolemaic Period, the origin of the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ from the First Dynasty/Early Dynastic Period! It always amazes me how the same religious symbols just persisted through Egyptian history! 

The Tyet Knot π“Ž¬, also known as the Isis knot π“Ž¬, was considered a very strong symbol of protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ and came to be associated with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that knots π“Ž¬ were able to bind and then release magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ. The Isis Knots π“Ž¬ were also mostly used in a funerary context, such as amulets π“Šπ“Šͺ𓅆𓏦 (starting in the New Kingdom) placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ or as part of spells π“Ž›π“‚“π“›π“¦ in the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

In chapter 156 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺, it states that the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† should be made of red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ jasper and placed on the neck of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! The spell states that the Tyet Knot π“Ž¬ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† β€œwill drive away whoever would commit a crime against him.” 

Let’s take a look at the hieroglyphic meaning! Called the β€œtie π“Ž¬β€ by Gardiner, this symbol is an ideogram for β€œTyet Knot π“Ž¬β€ or β€œIsis Knot π“Ž¬β€ and is associated with the sound β€œtjt” which would be pronounced like β€œtyet.” 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Lion Game Pieces and Dice

These little lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ aren’t actually statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ – they are pieces to a game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦! What really cool is that these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“π“„›π“ͺ are dated to c. 3,000 B.C.E., which is considered to be part of the Early Dynastic Period/First Dynasty.Β  These particular lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ are made out of ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ, and there are many examples of these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ in museums all around the world 𓇾𓇾!Β 

Lion Game Pieces
Lion Game Pieces (left) and ancient Egyptian dice (right) at the Louvre

The game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ that these lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ are a part of us called β€œMehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†“/π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†—β€ or β€œSerpent” in English! Mehen π“Ž”π“ˆ–π“†— was a popular game π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ during the Old Kingdom and persisted from c. 3,000 B.C.E. to about c. 2,300 B.C.E. The game board consists of a coiled snake π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜ while the game pieces are the lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ (probably about six 𓏿) and several marbles. 

There are also some dice in this display – it has always fascinated me that there really haven’t been any changes to the look or even the function of dice since ancient Egyptian times! I believe the oldest set of dice were actually found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Some believe that the dice could have been used to play the board game Senet π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“ . 

Why were game boards π“‡‹π“²π“π“Š‘π“„›π“¦ and pieces placed in tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦? Was is so the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 could be entertained in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐? Was it part of a ritual? We will probably never know!Β 

It’s truly amazing how things that amuse humans (such as board games) have not changed throughout the millennia! I love seeing artifacts like this because it creates a connection to the present, and I love seeing that.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Akhenaten and Nefertiti

The love story of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— is one that definitely captures the attention of Egyptologists and non-Egyptologists alike! I have always been fascinated by these two 𓏻 and I was so excited to see this painted limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the two 𓏻 of them at the Louvre! It was one of my must-see pieces! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 reminds me of the popular β€œcouples statues” that were prominent in burials during the Old Kingdom! β€œCouple Statues” depict a husband and wife sitting together! 

Akhenaten and Nefertiti
Limestone statue depicting Nefertiti and Akhenaten

Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— was the β€œGreat Royal Wife π“‡“π“π“ˆžπ“π“…¨β€ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This statue depicts Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— (left) and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (right) holding hands and walking forward. We know they are walking forward because one foot is placed in front of the other in a striding position. I also love the detail of the sandals 𓍿𓃀𓏏𓋸π“ͺ on their feet! They are also both wearing broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦, the necklace π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“π“‹§ of choice for royals and the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is also wearing the blue Khepresh crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ on his head, while Nefertiti appears to be wearing what looks like the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹”, but there is blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on it! The Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is still present on the front of both crowns!Β 

What was the purpose of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾? This came from a private home, where it was used in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“—. The common people would worship Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— because they were thought to be manifestations 𓆣𓆣𓆣 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ here on Earth. 

The typical Amarna-style (elongated faces and limbs, more body fat in the stomach and thighs) is present here, which makes it very easy to identify these figures as Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. The Amarna art revolution is so interesting because Egyptian art didn’t change much until Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule, then there was this drastic change, and then once Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– died, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ reverted back to the traditional art style and it stated that way for the rest of the civilization. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sarcophagus of Pharaoh Rameses III

This striking red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί. Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– was the second pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 20th Dynasty and he ruled for 32 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“» tumultuous years. His reign was marked by political, economic, and military issues. 

The most interesting part about Rameses III’s π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί reign for me is what is known as the β€œHarem Conspiracy” – Rameses III’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– secondary wife, Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“, plotted to have Rameses III π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“ˆ˜π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– killed so her son π“…­ Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή could become pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 instead of the chosen heir, Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ. While Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“ and her conspirators (other high officials) succeeded in killing Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, they did not succeed in establishing Pentawer π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“π“„Ώπ“…©π“‚‹π“Ή as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β  All of the conspirators were caught and put to death and Rameses IV π“‡³π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“Šƒ succeeded Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί as the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.Β 

Sarcophagus of Rameses III
The red granite sarcophagus of Pharaoh Rameses III, which depicts the goddess Isis

Here, on the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ of Rameses III π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‹΄π“‹Ύπ“‰Ί, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is depicted where the feet of the deceased would be placed. Isis’ π“Š¨π“π“₯ sister Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 is usually located where the deceased’s head would be located. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is easily recognized in Egyptian art because she is normally shown with the headdress of a throne, π“Š¨, which is also one of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is shown with wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ and sitting on the hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ for β€œgold π“‹ž.” 

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is known as a devoted wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 and mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐, but was also associated with resurrection π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± due to her role in piecing her brother/husband Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back together after he was dismembered by their brother Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. She is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who was magically conceived after Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ brought Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ back to life π“‹Ή. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Wooden Model of a Cattle Stable

I love wooden models so much because I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things and the models also remind me of dollhouses! I could spend such a long time just looking at these models – they have been preserved so well and they are so detailed!Β 

Wooden Model
Wooden Model of a Cattle Stable from the tomb of Meketre

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 model (and many others) were found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of the Royal Chief Steward Meketre who lived during the reign π“‹Ύ of Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ and possibly Amenemhat I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“. There were 24 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“½ almost perfectly preserved models found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. Half of the models are at the MET, while the other half are at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo!

Meketre’s high status as an official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ is why he was able to afford so many wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models and such an elaborate burial. Even though Meketre was well off, the models do provide a look into the life π“‹Ή of the non-royals during the Middle Kingdom! 

While Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ religious beliefs didn’t necessarily change much over time, some of the customs did! The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed nourishment in the forms of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ and water π“ˆ—, even in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. In the Middle Kingdom, wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 models depicting different types of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ production were placed in a sealed chamber in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. It was thought that the models would hold magical more π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ power than the carvings used during the Old Kingdom, and also keep the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 nourished! 

This particular model depicts a β€œModel Cattle Stable” in which workers are feeding cattle 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 in order to fatten them for slaughter. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, cattle 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦 were revered due to the worship of many cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, however, they were also used for food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯. Only the rich could afford to eat beef 𓇋𓍯𓄿𓄹, so I guess Meketre wanted to stock up for the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! I can’t say I blame him! 

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Blog Egyptian Artifacts

My Favorite Egyptian Artifacts

Happy 700 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 posts to @ancientegyptblog 𓃣 on Instagram!! Thank you 𓋴𓏏𓍯𓄿𓀒 all π“ŽŸ for your continued support – it means the world 𓇾𓇾 to me!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ for a special post, I wanted to share some of my absolute favorite Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ artifacts that I have seen in museums! Now, these objects aren’t the β€œbig ticket” items, or objects that most people run and see, however, these are the ones that I love and items that you can probably see at your local museums!Β 

Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ – it’s no secret that I love reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, and I love seeing them no matter what object they appear on! 

Hieroglyphs King's List
Me with the King’s List in the British Museum

Ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ- my favorite little guys who perform tasks for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! There are so many different types across various time periods of Egyptian history! I love them all!Β 

Ushabtis
The Ushabti display at the Brooklyn Museum

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ Statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ- Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was one of the only commoners to be deified, and he was the architect of Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– first 𓏃 pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴! My Nonno loved Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, and I do too! This Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ Statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 pictured is my favorite one at the Vatican!

My favorite Imhotep statue at the Vatican Museum – Look at those ears!!

Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺- better known to the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ as the β€œBook of Going Forth By Day,” this papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 would provide spells needed for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to reach the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. This one pictured is the Papyrus of Hunefer, which contains my favorite β€œWeighing of the Heart” scene.Β 

Book of the Dead of Hunefer
The Weighing of the Heart Scene from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer at the British Museum

Wooden Sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺΒ  (with the Eyes) – The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 on this side of the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ would allow the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to see outside of it! My Nonno told me this every time we were in a museum and saw a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ like this!Β 

Middle Kingdom Sarcophagus
Middle Kingdom sarcophagus with the eyes! (the MET)

Anything Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 – Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž and tombs, has been my favorite god π“ŠΉ, so I get excited every time I see him! Reliefs, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ, statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, – you can find Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 all over!Β 

Anubis relief
My favorite relief of Anubis (from the Middle Kingdom) at the MET

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ- I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things so of course I love amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ! Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ come in all different designs – every day objects, deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, animals – the list is endless! There are so many different types and functions, however their main function was protection of the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ or the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱!Β 

Amulets
Various amulets on display at the MET – including the winged scarab which is one of my favorites!

Hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ – I am obsessed with the Egyptian Hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues! Hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ were both feared and revered along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί! I always look to see if a museum has one of these!Β 

William the Hippo
William, the blue faience Egyptian hippo at the MET

I hope you enjoyed this highlight of some of my favorite Egyptian artifacts!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Amenhotep III

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to speak some more about the very interesting the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† who ruled π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ during the 18th Dynasty!

Amenhotep III
Head of pharaoh Amenhotep III at the British Museum

Fun fact: more statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ exist of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† than of any other pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (sorry Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“) – over 250 π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† have been currently identified. He was a prolific builder, undertaking many building projects at once and the largest statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of himself stand over 60 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† feet tall – these are now known as the Colossi of Memnon. His reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ is considered to be peak prosperity – economically and artistically for Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.Β 

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳, I spoke how the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were made of black π“†Žπ“…“ granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ to represent rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. However, all statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† himself were made of either red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ (like the one in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏), or quartzite to represent his close connections to the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛, since these stones π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺπ“ͺ are much lighter in color. 

Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† wanted to be associated with Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and his other manifestations. He was often referred to as β€œheir of Ra” or β€œRa’s chosen one” and even the β€œEye of Ra” just like Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ herself – I guess the usual β€œSon of Ra 𓅭𓇳” wasn’t enough for Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! Again, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was probably heavily influenced by his father’s obsession with solar 𓇳 deities  π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ which paved the way for Atenism. 

This particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† in a very youthful appearance. He is wearing both the white crown π“„€π“‹‘ of Upper Egypt 𓇓 and the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹” of Lower Egypt 𓆀 with the characteristic Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the front of the crowns. This piece was found in the Temple of Mut 𓏏𓅑𓁐 at Karnak. 

𓏏𓅱𓏏 πŸ“Έ by Nonno! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amenhotep III and Sekhmet

I have spoken a lot about Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, because she is my Nonno’s favorite goddess π“ŠΉπ“/religious figure in the Egyptian pantheon! Today we are going to look more into the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ that can be found in museums all around the world 𓇾𓇾! These particular Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ I am with are at the British Museum, but there are a lot at The MET, Louvre, and Vatican Museums too!Β 

Amenhotep III and Sekhmet
Me with statues of Sekhmet, which were commissioned during the reign of pharaoh Amenhotep III at the British Museum.

During his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† had over 730 π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ made! That is almost two statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ for every π“ŽŸ day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 of the year! Most of the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ you see that look like the ones in my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above are from this time period!

So why Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“? This is where stuff gets really interesting – Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ was often referred to as the β€œEye of Ra,” because she was created from the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 eye 𓁹𓏏𓏀 when he looked upon the Earth 𓇾𓇾. The obsession with solar deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ didn’t just happen when Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– came to the throne – Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was most likely influenced by his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀, Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! The worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 (and gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ like Sobek-Ra) hit its peak during the reign of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†. 

All of the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ are made of black π“†Žπ“…“ granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ, which is not just a coincidence! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the color black π“†Žπ“…“ was associated with rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. These statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were most likely connected to the jubilees π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ (The Heb Sed festival), and contain various epithets on them, such as: 

“The son of Ra Amenhotep, ruler of Thebes beloved of Sekhmet, the great, mistress of the sky, for eternity.”

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Offering Table and Statue

This Middle Kingdom era piece is so cool – well actually, it’s two 𓏻 separate pieces! This is a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Sehetepib, which is sitting on top of a small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃!Β 

Statue and Offering Table of Sehetepib
Statue and Offering Table of Sehetepib

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is made of graywacke π“·π“‚‹π“ƒ€π“π“ˆ– while the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 is made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰. I love the contrast of colors between the dark graywacke π“·π“‚‹π“ƒ€π“π“ˆ– and the light limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ – it really makes both the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 and the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 stand out against each other!

This piece was found in the shaft of a tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–, but it was most likely originally placed in an above ground chapel. What was the point of putting the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 in a chapel outside of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰? Essentially, the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 allows for the ka π“‚“ of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to continue to receive offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 so the ka π“‚“ can continue to be sustained even after death 𓅓𓏏𓏱! 

If you look at the front of the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃, there are offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 carved into the limestone! These are symbolic offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 that would continue to sustain the soul π“‚“ of Sehetepib even when real offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 stopped being placed in his tomb’s π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ chapel! One of the offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 is definitely bread 𓏐, but I don’t know what the rest are! The circles could be anything!!

Sehetepib’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and titles are written down the front of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 (on his skirt), but I can’t make out the individual hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The only phrase I can see clearly is β€œFor the Soul of π“ˆ–π“‚“π“ˆ–β€œ and then Sehetepib’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– should follow that!Β I wish I could see more of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, but sometimes with ancient objects such as this one, it’s not always easy!

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut

Here’s a video on the Maned Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓!

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

(𓇳𓁦𓂓) – Maatkare

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŒΊπ“π“‡Œ – Beloved

𓋹𓏏𓏙- Life Given

𓆖 – Eternity (Forever)

β€œMaatkare, Beloved of Amun, Given Life for Eternity.”

I know this is strange, but β€œGiven Life” is written backwards! It should be β€œπ“™π“‹Ήβ€ not β€œπ“‹Ήπ“™β€ as it’s written (this inscription is read from right to left). 

There’s also an added 𓏏, which makes it the feminine form! There’s a second sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ just like this one in the Cairo Museum, and on that sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€, there is no added 𓏏! Why would one sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ use the feminine form and one use the masculine?! We will probably never know!