Tag: british museum

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Amenhotep III

Here I am at the British Museum with a beautifully 𓄀𓆑𓂋 preserved granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž ! This particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† was found at his temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–.Β 

Statue of Amenhotep III
Me with a Statue of Amenhotep III at the British Museum

In this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† is depicted in the typical fashion of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! He is wearing the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth on his head, and there is a Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the forehead of the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth. A Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is usually depicted as an upright snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 and is a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, and divine authority in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– – all characteristics usually associated with the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! While a lot of the Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 has been broken off (probably just due to the passage of time), it is clear that it was once there! 

Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  is also wearing the false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ, which is another common accessory that the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wore! Why did the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wear false beards π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έπ“¦ though?! Many of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ had beards π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έπ“¦ so it was considered to be a godly trait.  By imitating the appearance of a god π“ŠΉ, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 not only linked themselves to the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, but also made themselves seen as gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on Earth 𓇾𓇾. A false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ was only worn by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻- no one else could wear it because no on else was a god π“ŠΉ!

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“‡“) and over 250 π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† have been currently identified. I’m sure more will be found during excavations, and I am excited to see what will be unearthed in Egypt!

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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.”

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Egyptian Artifacts

Roman Sarcophagus

Even though Rome was the dominant power in the Mediterranean at the time, Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was determined to keep Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– independent of Rome.  However, with the defeat of Mac Antony by Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀 in battle, and the death of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 (the last Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, died by suicide c. 31 B.C.E.), Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– was conquered by the Romans. This made Augustus 𓉐𓉻𓀀 the first Roman Emperor. 

Traditionally, the Romans burned their dead and put their ashes in urns. However, in Roman Egypt, traditional Egyptian funerary practices persisted but adopted some Roman style! Nonno always pointed out the Roman influenced sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ in museums because he thought it was so interesting that an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 was on the coffin, instead of the traditional Egyptian “mask.” The painting of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 still functioned like a traditional Egyptian mask, however it was just more β€œRoman” in style.Β 

The mask could either serve as protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, or take the place of the body if the head was destroyed or lost. In the Egyptian religion, the body of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed to stay intact in order for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to be transported to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐/Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–. This was the purpose of mummification – to preserve the body so both the Ka π“‚“ (soul) and the Ba 𓅑𓏺(life force) would be able to recognize the body!

I think this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ (from the second century AD) in particular is very interesting because it demonstrates a marriage of the two 𓏻 cultures.Β  The Roman influence is clearly seen, with the painted portrait of the deceased (and his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, Artemidorus below the portrait).Β 

However, the Egyptian gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are present in gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ on the body of the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­. Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦, Thoth π“…€π“€­ , and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ are depicted. Iconic Egyptian imagery 𓏏𓅱𓏏 such as the winged sun disk is located above the feet, while a traditional broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ is in gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ around the neck of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs from the Abydos King List!

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

These beautiful π“„€ hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the Abydos King List at the British Museum. There are two 𓏻 surviving King Lists from temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ at Abydos, the cult center of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. One temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ is from Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠, and the other from his son π“…­ Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ, who were both pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ during the 19th Dynasty. Seti I’s 𓇳𓁦𓏠 list is still in the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Abydos, while Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ was excavated and brought to the British Museum.Β 

While the two 𓏻 lists were very similar, Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ had more rows to accommodate the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ so it appears to be shorter. There are three 𓏼 rows of cartouches on the remaining limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief – the upper two 𓏻 rows contain the cartouches of earlier pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, while the bottom row shows Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ throne name and birth name alternating – this is the part we will be reading today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to start from the right!

π“…“π“‚žπ“‚ž – By Permission Of

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ – Rameses II, Beloved of Amun (birth name)

π“…“π“‚žπ“‚ž – By Permission Of

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– Rameses II (β€œUsermaatre” throne name)

π“…“π“‚žπ“‚ž – By Permission Of

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“©π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Rameses II (birth name variant)

β€œBy Permission Of π“…“π“‚žπ“‚žβ€ is meant to signify that Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– commissioned the creation of this King List! It’s also cool how different variants of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– were used throughout the relief!

The point of the King Lists was not to preserve history for future generations, rather the main objective was to glorify the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, and as we know, pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ were considered gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on Earth. These lists allowed Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 and Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“œπ“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Šƒ to assert their legitimacy amongst the old pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Boat of Mutemwia

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dedicated to Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž who was a minor wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 of Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 and mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž .Β 

This statue was originally meant to show Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž on a sacred boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž(her body has been broken off). The boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž has the goddess Hathor 𓉑 on the front. The sides of the boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž are inscribed with the name and titles of Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž along with a carving of the Wedjat π“‚€. Cartouches showing the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž and Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  are also inscribed on the boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž. 

Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž held many titles such as the β€œGreat King’s Wife His Beloved π“‡“π“π“π“ˆžπ“…©π“‚‹π“π“ˆ˜π“†‘,” β€œLady of the Two Lands π“Ž›π“Œπ“π“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ,” β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…,” and β€œKing’s Mother 𓇓𓅐.” The latter two titles mean the same thing – since the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž ) was a god π“ŠΉ on Earth 𓇾𓇾. 

Something interesting though that these titles listed above were only used after the death of Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼. It seems that Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  elevated his mother’s 𓅐𓏏𓁐 status when he became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. In the Luxor Temple, Mutemwia π“π“…π“…“π“Šž is depicted in the reliefs of the divine birth of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – and these reliefs are almost an exact copy of the ones from the divine birth of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. 

The boat 𓂧π“Šͺπ“π“Šž is made of the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ granodiorite, which is an igneous (volcanic) rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ that is kind of the mix of both granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ and diorite. Granodiorite is an intrusive rock, meaning it formed underground, which also makes it a very strong and durable piece of material! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Large Scarab at the British Museum

This is definitely the largest scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 that I have ever seen!Β  I was shocked when I saw just how big it was in the British Museum! I have honestly never seen anything like it in any of the other museums I have visited!

This scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 represented Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓀭. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓀭 the god π“ŠΉ that was associated with the β€œrising of the sun π“…ƒπ“ˆŒπ“π“­π“€­β€ (these hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ translate to β€œsun at dawn”) and thus he is associated with life π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ and rebirth. Scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ were extremely popular as amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, and were considered to have the strongest 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ powers. 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbol is a determinative, ideogram and phonogram symbol! It is associated with the sound αΈ«pr (like β€œKheper”) is also used to write the words “evolve,” β€œmanifestation,” and “become.”

From a geologic perspective, this scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is made of the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ diorite.  Diorite is an intrusive igneous rock (meaning it forms underground from the solidification of magma). Diorite is an extremely durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ (one of the strongest found on Earth 𓇾𓇾), and is comparable to granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ in terms of strength and method of formation.  

However, diorite usually doesn’t contain a lot quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™, a very strong 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 mineral which is abundant in granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ, hence the difference between the two 𓏻 rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦. One of the reasons why this scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is so well preserved, is probably due to the strength of the diorite!  Diorite, like granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ, was usually mined by the Egyptians in Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Œ•π“Š–

As you all know, ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– is one of my biggest passions, however I actually have degrees in Earth and Environmental science! I love combining my passions for Egyptian history and geology together π“ˆ–π“Š—! 

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Blog Egyptian Artifacts

“Wonderful Things”

β€œWonderful Things.” 

That quote is from Howard Carter when he first peered into the tombΒ π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰Β of TutankhamunΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“. Honestly, every time I walk through a museum all I can think is β€œWonderful Things” – I feel like that sums up my feelings pretty well!Β 

While I have posted this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 before, it is one of my absolute favorites and one of the many wonderful things that I have seen! This is my Nonno and I with Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹𓋾𓉺𓇓 at the British Museum! I am posting this again because today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 is the 100 𓏲 year anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹𓋾𓉺𓇓 tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰! 

As a child (and even now) I love the story about howΒ Tutankhamun’sΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“Β tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰Β was discovered! The funerary mask, AnubisΒ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 shrine, cartouche box, and so many of the other artifacts in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ completely fascinated me and definitely played a part in me becoming so interested in ancient EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–Β as a child. I have my Nonno to thank for telling me about TutankhamunΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“Β and for encouraging my love and fascination with Egyptian history!Β 

In this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹𓋾𓉺𓇓 is wearing the nemes head cloth π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄, false beard, and broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹. These are all very common things for pharaohs π“‰π“‰»π“¦ to wear to represent themselves as pharaoh π“‰π“‰», which Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹𓋾𓉺𓇓 felt he needed to do in order to legitimize his rule π“‹Ύ. The bottom part of the statue is π“π“…±π“π“€Ύ decorated with lotus flowers π“†Έπ“ͺ and papyrus reeds π“ π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“†°. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Rosetta Stone Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the deciphering of Egyptian HieroglyphsΒ π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Seeing the Rosetta Stone in person was a dream come true for me!Β 

Jean-FranΓ§ois Champollion was just a teenager in September 1822 when he discovered how to read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ based off of the Rosetta Stone! The Rosetta Stone is actually a decree issued by priests π“ŠΉπ“›π“ͺ in 196 B.C.E. that affirmed the cult of Ptolemy V π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄. Identical decrees were supposed to be placed in every temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

During the Christian period in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the use of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ began to wane and finally disappeared at the beginning of the 4th Century. The Rosetta Stone contains three 𓏼 languages 𓂋𓏦: Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, Greek and Demotic. Since Greek was a known language π“‚‹π“Ί, scholars began to try to use the Greek section of the Rosetta Stone to translate the portion in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. 

Thomas Young was the first person to show that the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in the cartouche (π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄) actually spelled out β€œPtolemy,” however, Champollion gets the credit for deciphering hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ because he showed that the phonetic symbols were also used for Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ and not just foreign names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦. With his extensive knowledge of Coptic, Champollion was able to begin reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ fully! 

I am thankful for the early works of scholars like Champollion because I would not be reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ without it!