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Egyptian Artifacts

Talatat of Akhenaten

These small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks are called β€œTalatat” and were used solely during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–! These were used in the construction of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Karnak (this construction started when he was still Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€) and the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–. 

Talatat of Akhenaten
Talatat from Amarna at the MET. The top talatat shows an image of the pharaoh Akhenaten

The top Talatat in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 was part of a much larger relief which was the pinnacle image of the time – Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– and the royal family (including Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­) receiving β€œAnkhs 𓋹” which is the symbol for β€œLife” from the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. 

The Talatat were unique because they were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© that a single worker could carry one and put it into place. This was meant to expedite construction and make building a lot faster. The Talatat are also unique because they were only used during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, and were never used again. 

Even though originally from Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, these Talatat were actually found in other places across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.Β  After Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, his monuments 𓏠𓏍 were destroyed and building materials were used by other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦!

I like to think of this as an ancient Egyptian recycling program! It’s truly fascinating to see not only how the ancient Egyptians procured some of their building materials, but also to understand the intent behind them. Since Akhenaten was to be “erased” from history, his monuments were destroyed and the materials repurposed.

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Video

Tour of Gallery 122

Let’s go on a tour of Gallery 122 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

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One of my favorite things about the Metropolitan Museum of Art are these little β€œhidden” galleries that are off-shoots of the main galleries! This is Gallery 122, and it’s one of my favorites because this gallery houses many Amarna-era pieces along with pieces from the 19th Dynasty! The 18th and 19th Dynasties are my favorite parts of Egyptian History! There are so many little and wonderful hidden treasures in these rooms! They may not be the β€œbig-ticket must-see” artifacts, but they have their own unique charms and history and I love them! Among the pieces in this gallery are Amarna-age trial pieces, broken pieces of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–/Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­, many different ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures, flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 from the funeral of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“, a wooden statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, lots of pottery π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ shards and so much more! I hope you enjoy this little gallery tour! 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 #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #egyptology #ancientegyptblog #anticoegitto #egitto

♬ Glimpse (Slowed + Reverb) – Gabriel AlbuquerqΓΌe

One of my favorite things about the Metropolitan Museum of Art are these little β€œhidden” galleries that are off-shoots of the main galleries! Gallery 122, is one of my favorites because this gallery houses many Amarna-era pieces along with pieces from the 19th Dynasty! The 18th and 19th Dynasties are my favorite parts of Egyptian History!Β 

There are so many little and wonderful hidden treasures in these rooms! They may not be the β€œbig-ticket must-see” artifacts, but they have their own unique charms and history and I love them! 

Among the pieces in this gallery are Amarna-age trial pieces, broken pieces of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–/Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­, many different ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures, flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 from the funeral of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“, a wooden statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, lots of pottery π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ shards and so much more! 

I hope you enjoy this little gallery tour! 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Akhenaten or Nefertiti?

The MET has this piece listed as β€œHead of Akhenaten or Nefertiti” but to me, the head looks more like Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ than Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! Let me know who you think this piece looks more like in the comments!  

This piece is dated to c. 1353–1336 B.C.E., which unsurprisingly is during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. The piece was found during the 1891-1892 excavations of Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– (present-day Amarna) by Flinders Petrie and Howard Carter. 

The bust was found in one of the sculptor’s π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€ workshops. The sculptor’s π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€ workshops in Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– have been the source of many beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 pieces from this time period. I love the artifacts that are found in an unfinished state because it gives such insight into how these incredible ancient Egyptian artists worked and it shows that even the most grand of pieces started off in humble states! If this piece had been finished, would it have looked like the famous Bust of Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­? Or was the piece just meant to be a trial piece and this was what it was supposed to look like?

One of my favorite things about this account is I get to learn as I am teaching! I did not know the word for β€œsculptor π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€β€ off the top of my head so I looked it up! One of the alternative translations for β€œsculptor π“‹΄π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“€€β€œ is β€œLife Giver” which I find so fascinating – it really gives insight into the Egyptian culture because the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 or statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a person could give 𓏙 life π“‹Ή to them after death! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Akhenaten and Nefertiti

When I went to the Louvre in 2015, this was one of my must-see pieces! The love story of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“„€π“π“‡π“˜π“— has always fascinated me . This painted limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 reminds me of the popular β€œcouples statues,” which depict a husband and wife sitting together, that were prominent in burials during the Old Kingdom!

Akhenaten and Nefertiti

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. 

Let’s talk about their clothing! They both have sandals 𓍿𓃀𓏏𓋸π“ͺ on their feet and 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! 

What was the purpose of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾? This most likely 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

Ushabti of Akhenaten

This piece is listed as a β€œFunerary Figure” by the MET, but I think they mean to call it a ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ! This particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ belonged to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, and he had many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ made in various styles from many different materials (you can see another ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ of his in the background of this photo). The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures that belonged to him are made in the typical Amarna-art style.Β 

Ushabti of Akhenaten
The only fully preserved Ushabti of Akhenaten on display at the MET.

While are over 200 𓏲𓏲 ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures that belonged to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, this red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is the only known one that is complete! Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ is a very durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ because it is composed of over 60% quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™, which is a very hard mineral π“‡‹π“Œ»π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ™ so it makes sense that this particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ would be the one to remain complete! 

It seems strange that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– would be buried with ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ because he completely changed the Egyptian religion from the traditional polytheistic worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 to the monotheistic worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. This shows that while he did completely change Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– religion, some aspects of the old religion, such as belief in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, did remain and persist throughout his rule π“‹Ύ. Personally, I’m glad the ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were able to stick around because they’re my favorite!!

Most ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain standard inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ known as the β€œshabti spell” or β€œshabti text” from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, which is the spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› that allows the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figure to perform work for the deceased in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. Due to the change in religion, none of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain the β€œShabti Spell;” they only contain inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and titles. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Amarna Letters

The β€œAmarna Letters” is the modern designation for a group of over 300 𓏲𓏲𓏲 clay tablets that were found at Tell el-Amarna, Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– in the 1880s. Amarna as it is commonly called, is the modern name for β€œAkhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–.” β€œAkhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–β€ was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

Amarna Letters
Two of the clay tablets, designed as the “Amarna Letters” on display at the MET.

The β€œAmarna Letters” are written on clay tablets in cuneiform script, which was a type of Mesopotamian script! Cuneiform could be used to write many languages, but the language on the β€œAmarna Letters’” tablets is Akkadian. This is significant because it shows the reach that cuneiform/Akkadian had throughout the ancient world! Akkadian was probably the lingua franca (common language/trade language) of the time! 

Most of the letters are written from rulers outside of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, and they document diplomatic relations between these territories and Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

The Amarna Letter on the left is from Ashur-uballit the king of Assyria. In this letter he offers gifts to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– in order to open communications between the two countries! 

The Amarna Letter on the right is from Abi-milku of Tyre to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– . Abi-milku was asking Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for protection in return for his loyalty to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Fragment of Akhenaten

This is a fragment of what used to be a limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the pharaoh Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! This (and many others like it) were found during Flinders Petrie and Howard Carter’s excavation at present-day Amarna in 1891, which in ancient times was called Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

Fragment of Akhenaten
A Fragment of Akhenaten – many of Akhenaten’s statues were intentionally destroyed after his reign

Many of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ not only have the faces destroyed, but are also in hundreds of pieces. This deliberate destruction of his statuary was an attempt to destroy his image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 so he would be forgotten from history. Images/statues of a person, and the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a person held immense power in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– so if a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 was destroyed, its power was removed!Β 

A Fragment of Akhenaten – a front view of the statue where the extent of the damage to his face can be clearly seen.

Why did Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– successors want his image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 destroyed? Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is infamous for completely changing the Egyptian pantheon from polytheistic worship of the traditional gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ to the monotheistic worship of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ and people definitely did not like that! When Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– son, Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ became the pharaoh, he reinstated the old religion and moved the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– back to Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. 

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Egyptian Artifacts Video

Talatat – Video

These small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks are called β€œTalatat” and were used solely during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–! These were used in the construction of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Karnak (this construction started when he was still Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€) and the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

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These small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks are called β€œTalatat” and were used solely during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–! These were used in the construction of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Karnak (this construction started when he was still Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€) and the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–. These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks were unique because they were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© a single worker could carry them and put it into place. This was meant to expedite construction and make building a lot faster. The Talatat are also unique because they were only used during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, and were never used again. Even though originally from Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, these Talatat were actually found at Hermopolis because after Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, his monuments 𓏠𓏍 were destroyed and building materials were used by other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦! These Talatat at the MET were once brightly painted in striking colors, as was most of the Egyptian monuments 𓏠𓏍. A lot of the colors you see on these blocks are restored and not necessarily the original colors. Tens of thousands of Talatat have been found across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 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. @ancientegyptblog #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #egyptology #ancient_egypt #pharaoh #akhenaten #metropolitanmuseum #egypt

♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89

These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks were unique because they were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© a single worker could carry them and put it into place. This was meant to expedite construction and make building a lot faster. The Talatat are also unique because they were only used during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, and were never used again. 

Even though originally from Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, these Talatat were actually found at Hermopolis because after Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, his monuments 𓏠𓏍 were destroyed and building materials were used by other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦! 

These Talatat at the MET were once brightly painted in striking colors, as was most of the Egyptian monuments 𓏠𓏍. A lot of the colors you see on these blocks are restored and not necessarily the original colors. 

Tens of thousands of Talatat have been found across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!Β 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Wilbour Plaque

Not only is the Wilbour Plaque one of my absolute favorite pieces, this is one of the most famous pieces of Amarna-era art! The Brooklyn Museum has an amazing collection of artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and I’ll never forget the first time I got to see it with my Nonno!Β 

Wilbour Plaque
Me with the Wilbour Plaque at the Brooklyn Museum!

After Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 because of just how different his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ was compared to the other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ – not only did the art style completely change, but the religion changed too! 

The top piece in the display is known as the Wilbour Plaque, named after Charles Wilbour who acquired it in 1881. This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ piece is interesting because it is complete as is it was; it was never part of a larger scene and was most likely used as a model for sculptors! Sculptor models were used by artists as references when they were making official art of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!Β 

The Wilbour Plaque (top) and another Sculptor’s Model (bottom) on display at the Brooklyn Museum!

While there aren’t any inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, it is assumed that the people represented here are Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­. However, some argue that the person accompanying Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ in the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 could either be Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ or Smenkare π“‡³π“Šƒπ“‰»π“‚“π“‚¦π“†£. 

To me this piece is interesting because the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ is no where in sight! Usually Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is always accompanied by an image of the sun 𓇳𓏺/Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ with sun rays shining on him. It’s almost kinda weird to see him like this! 

The second piece in the display is another sculptor’s model! This piece shows Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– with another member of the royal family, and a hand! 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Chariot in Ancient Egypt

This rectangle fragment of a relief depicting a horse drawn chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ was found at the Great Aten Temple in Amarna (Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–). This piece is estimated to have been carved between c. 1352–1336 B.C.E., which is during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This particular relief pictured was originally part of a much larger image 𓏏𓅱𓏏. Here, chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ attendants are keeping watch of the chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ for the royal family.Β 

Chariot
Image of a horse drawn chariot and a chariot attendant from Akhetaten on display at the MET.

Chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ (and horses 𓋴𓋴𓅓𓏏𓃗π“ͺ) were not always a part of Egyptian history. It is estimated by historians that the chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ first arrived in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– around 1600 B.C.E. and that they were introduced by the Hyksos. The first horse 𓋴𓋴𓅓𓏏𓃗 remains in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– are estimated to be from the Thirteenth Dynasty, so horses 𓋴𓋴𓅓𓏏𓃗π“ͺ must have been introduced to Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– before the Hyksos rule. 

After Ahmose I π“‡Ίπ“„Ÿ defeated the Hyksos and reunified Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– to start the 18th Dynasty/New Kingdom, the chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ became a common sight in both art and in the life of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ were the number one choice of transportation for royalty! Chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ were also used by pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 to take part in hunting, and were used by the army for battle. Many reliefs and other forms of art from this time period shows various pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 hunting or going into battle on their chariot. The chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ became a sign of bravery and strength π“Œ€. 

Fun Fact: the hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ for β€œchariot π“Œβ€ only appeared in Middle Egyptian around the same time that the chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ were introduced to Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! That totally makes sense and it’s so cool to β€œwatch” the language evolve as technology evolved! The same thing happens today! 

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