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Inner Cartonnage of Gautseshenu – Video

This stunningly painted piece is the Inner Cartonnage of a person named Gautseshenu. This piece would have been placed inside a larger coffin and is made of cartonnage (ancient paper mache). It is dated to the 25th Dynasty (Third Intermediate Period). It was found in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– and it’s amazing how well preserved it is and how bright the colors are.Β 

The Weighing of the Heart scene from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is my absolute favorite type of religious art from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. As a kid, I loved it because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 was the central god π“ŠΉ in the scene, and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ . As an adult, I love what the scene represents and the symbolism behind it.

For those unfamiliar with the context of the scene, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 weighs the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 against Maat’s π“Œ΄π“™π“‚£π“π“¦ feather. If Anubis determines there’s balance between the two, then the deceased would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨ π“€­ by Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. The simplified version of the scene represented on this cartonnage is missing Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏. 

If you’re looking at the inner cartonnage/coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 from the front, you can see Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛(the winged beetle) and the Four Sons of Horus beneath him. I feel like this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is the Sparks Notes version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 – it kinda gives you some of the most important parts of it in a very small amount of space!Β 

You can also watch this video (with music) on TikTok!

@ancientegyptblog

This stunningly painted piece is the Inner Cartonnage of a person named Gautseshenu. This piece would have been placed inside a larger coffin and is made of cartonnage (ancient paper mache). It is dated to the 25th Dynasty (Third Intermediate Period). It was found in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– and it’s amazing how well preserved it is and how bright the colors are. The Weighing of the Heart scene from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is my absolute favorite type of religious art from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. As a kid, I loved it because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 was the central god π“ŠΉ in the scene, and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ . As an adult, I love what the scene represents and the symbolism behind it. For those unfamiliar with the context of the scene, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 weighs the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 against Maat’s π“Œ΄π“™π“‚£π“π“¦ feather. If Anubis determines there’s balance between the two, then the deceased would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨ π“€­ by Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. The simplified version of the scene represented on this cartonnage is missing Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏. If you’re looking at the coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 from the front, you can see Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛(the winged beetle) and the Four Sons of Horus beneath him. I feel like this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is the Sparks Notes version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 – it kinda gives you some of the most important parts of it in a very small amount of space! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #egypt #brooklynmuseum #anubis #bookofthedead

♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTok

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Egyptian Artifacts

Animal Mummies

I have mentioned in many previous posts that I have loved mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ ever since my Nonno introduced me to ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– when I was a little girl! Although animal mummies are the most common form of Egyptian artifact (seven million dog π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘ mummies have been found in Saqqara alone), they are among the least understood of all objects.

Animal Mummies
A dog (left) and a cat (right) mummy on display at the Brooklyn Museum

At the Brooklyn Museum, they have a couple of animal mummies which are in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 here! On the left is a dog π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘ mummy, and on the right is a cat 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠 mummy.Β The level of preservation of these mummies is exquisite!

It is well documented that the ancient Egyptians kept dogs π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘π“¦ and cats 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠π“ͺ as pets. In tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“₯, many times dogs π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘π“¦ and cats 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠π“ͺ have been found buried with their owners! Dogs π“ƒ€π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“ƒ‘π“¦ have also been mentioned on funerary stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ along with other family members! The thought is that the pet and the owner would be able to stay together π“ˆ–π“Š— in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 if they were buried together π“ˆ–π“Š—.

One of the possible explanations of the significance of animal mummies can be tied to the Egyptian cultural aspect surrounding animals. Believe it or not, there is no Middle Egyptian word for β€œanimal” – there was the word π“Œšπ“…“π“„› but it translates more accurately to β€œbeast” then all animals in general. The Egyptians didn’t think of animals as β€œless” than humans – Animals were living things that contained a ba 𓅑𓏺 (part of the soul π“‚“ that is active in this world and the spiritual world). They could become gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ through death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž just like humans. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Gold Roman Mummy Mask

This is a mummy mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ from the Roman Period of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Roman Period of Egypt is characterized as being after the death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇, the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, in 31 B.C.E. Even though Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek, she is considered to be the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Augustus, though he called himself β€œPharaoh π“‰π“‰»π“€€β€œ was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire.Β 

Gold Roman Mummy Mask
Me with the Gold Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum

My Nonno loved the Roman Period of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– because he loved Roman history too, so Roman Egypt was the combination of his favorite things! The merging of the civilizations also meant the merging of both Egyptian and Roman art styles, as is demonstrated by this mask. The mask is made of cartonnage and mostly overlaid with gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf. The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 are inlaid with glass π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, while the garland π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†° of flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 is painted.Β 

Gold Roman Mummy Mask
The Gold Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum. The snake bracelets and armlets can be seen in great detail!

My favorite detail on this mummy mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 are the snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦 that are carved in raised relief on the arms 𓂝𓏦. I love snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 themed jewelry and wear snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 rings π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“‹ͺπ“₯ and bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦 myself! I think it is such a beautiful π“„€ detail on  the mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾! The woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ who owned this mask was most likely extremely wealthy because most mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ were not completely overlaid with gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf such as this one. 

The eyebrows on the mask are blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ because it is supposed to be the same color as lapis lazuli 𓐍𓋴𓃀𓂧𓏧! Many of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ were thought to have blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ lapis lazuli 𓐍𓋴𓃀𓂧𓏧 hair! The blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ eyebrows could represent this woman joining the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Roman Mummy Mask

One of the features of Egyptian funerary practices that persisted throughout most of the civilization was the use of mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ. Mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ first appeared during the First Intermediate Period (c. 2181 B.C.E.), and were last used during the Roman Period (c. 395 AD). While the styles certainly changed, their purpose of protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 remained the same. While the function of the mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ remained the same throughout Egyptian history, there are many different styles! Let’s take a look at this particular Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum!

Roman Mummy Mask
Me with a Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum

The function of protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ is made explicit by Spell 151 from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. Spell 151 also restores the ability of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to see through the mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾. Spell 151 even appears on the back of the mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“!Β 

This mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is from the Roman Period, and it’s always so interesting to see the merging of the two 𓏻 different styles. The mask is made of cartonnage (kind of like paper mache) and is covered in gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf, which is typical of Ptolemaic/Roman masks. The mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 is wearing a nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ style headdress, and Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 (the winged scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣) can be seen on the head 𓁢𓏺. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓀭, god π“ŠΉ of the rising sun 𓇳𓏺, is a symbol of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±.

Roman Mummy Mask
Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum

What makes this mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 so beautiful π“„€ are all of the small details in the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf. The most prominent is the deceased (as a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾) standing before 𓐍𓂋 Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The protective cobras π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜π“ͺ also adorn the mask. Daisies/Rosettes are seen as decoration along with the Wedjat-eyes π“‚€ on each side. Both of these are also symbols of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±! Symbols of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± were important to place on funerary equipment because the deceased wanted to be reborn in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, just like Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was. 

During Roman times, masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ were mass produced in workshops so it is unlikely that this mask represents a specific person. 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

I Love Mummies!

Here at the MET, I am sitting with a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 that is still wrapped in its linen 𓍱. Mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž was an extremely important part of Egyptian religious practices because the body of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed to stay intact in order for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to reach the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.Β 

Mummy
Me sitting with a linen wrapped mummy at the MET

Mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž was practiced throughout most of Egyptian history, and the earliest mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ were most likely accidental just due to the dry climate of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! The mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž of people persisted for over 2,000 years and continued well into the Roman Period. The best preserved mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ are from the 18th-20th Dynasties.  

Mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž was a long process that took about seventy days to complete. First 𓏃, the internal organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 such as the liver π“…“π“Šƒπ“π“„Ήπ“Έπ“Έπ“Έ, stomach 𓂋𓄣𓏻, intestines, lungs π“Šƒπ“Œ΄π“„₯π“…±π“„Ί, and the brain 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓄹 were removed. The heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 remained in the body because it would be needed for the β€œWeighing of the Heart” before the deceased entered the Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–. After that, the body was then dried in natron 𓃀𓂧𓇨, which is a type of salt. Once the drying was complete, the body was wrapped in hundreds of yards of linen 𓍱. Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ could placed in the linen 𓍱 to help the deceased enter the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

Here is some mummy-related vocabulary:

𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 – Mummy

π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ – Tomb

𓉐𓆖 – Mastaba (House of Eternity)

π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“‰ – Burial Chamber 

π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž – Mummification/Embalm

I have had a fascination with mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ since I was a little girl! Mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ never scared me – I just remember being so interested and intrigued by the idea of them! One of the first books my Nonno ever gave me was called “Faces of the Pharaohs,” and it contained pictures of the 18th Dynasty royal mummies! It is still one of my favorite books!

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Sarcophagus of Harkhebit

This is the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ of a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Harkhebit who lived during Dynasty 26 (c. 595-526 B.C.E.).

Sarcophagus of Harkhebit
The Sarcophagus of Harkhebit

Harkhebit was the β€œRoyal Seal Bearer, Sole Companion, Chief Priest of the Shrines of Upper and Lower Egypt, and Overseer of the Cabinet.” The sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ was found in his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰, which was a shaft tomb near Djoser’s 𓂦 pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴 complex at Saqqara (ancient Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–). 

This sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ is striking not just from an artistic point of view, but its massive size is also breathtaking! Other large and plump sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦ have been found in the Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– area that are similar in style to this one! 

Sarcophagus of Harkhebit
Me taking a selfie with Anubis and other deities!
Sarcophagus of Harkhebit
A close-up of the sunken relief of the goddess Isis

Let’s take a closer look! The sunken relief hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ are inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ from The Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. Many different deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ such as Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇, and the Four Sons of Horus (Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑, Imseti π“‡‹π“…“π“Šƒπ“Ώ, Hapi π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ and Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘) all appear. 

Here is a picture of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– as it appears on the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­! This is one of the variants of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣 name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, as it is missing the “π“…±” hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ!

Anubis' name in hieroglyphs on the Sarcophagus of Harkhebit
Anubis’ name in hieroglyphs

This sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ is considered to be mummiform, meaning it looks like a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾! The β€œmummy” is wearing a wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 and a false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ. I also love the large broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ that is on the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­! If you look closely, you can see two 𓏻 falcons π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„π“ͺ on either end of it! Between the wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸, false beard π“π“ƒ€π“Šƒπ“…±π“π“Έ, and broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹, Harkhebit is dressed for the best in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! 

Sarcophagus of Harkhebit
A closeup image of the face of the sarcophagus showing details such as the broad collar, wig, and false beard.

The Sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ of Harkhebit is definitely one of the better examples of Late Period ancient Egyptian stonework!

Categories
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!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Funerary Mask of Wah at the MET

TodayΒ π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³Β we are going to be looking at the Funerary Mask of Wah! Wah was an estate manager for a wealthy nobleman and he lived during theΒ reign π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenemhat IΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“(12th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom).Β 

Funerary Masks (also called Burial Masks or Mummy Masks) were an important part of a person’s burial equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ because the mask could either serve as protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱, or take the place of the body if the head was destroyed or lost. In the Egyptian religion, the body of the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 needed to stay intact in order for the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 to be transported to the afterlife π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰/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! 

Wah’s Mummy Mask is made of cartonnage (ancient Egyptian paper mache), gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ foil and wood π“†±π“π“Ί. The gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ face and the blue hair π“‡‹π“Ήπ“π“„Ώπ“Έπ“₯ is significant because the ancient Egyptians believed that the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ had skin/hair of gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ or lapis lazuli π“π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“‚§π“§. While the facial features on the mask appear neither masculine or feminine, the beard that is on Wah’s chin indicates that this mask belonged to a male. 

My favorite feature on the mask is the very detailed broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ that is painted π“‡¨π“‚‹π“…±π“­π“Έπ“¦ on! The broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ was the necklace of choice by both the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦, and the wealthy! Many Mummy Masks show the deceased wearing a broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Coffin of Wah at the MET

Let’s take a look at the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of a man named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Wah, who lived during the early reign π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Amenemhat I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓅓𓄂𓏏(12th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom). 

In the first picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can see a dedication to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, which is better known as the β€œOffering Formula.” If you want to learn one 𓏺 phrase in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, learn this one!!! It is everywhere!!Β 

Here is the full inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯: π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š–. Let’s break down the offering formula because we haven’t done so in a while. Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ – An Offering the King Gives

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris (his name is missing the determinative this time – usually it’s written as π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­)

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“Š½π“‚§π“Š– – Djedu (usually written as π“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š–)

So all together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads: β€œAn Offering the King gives Osiris, Lord of Djedu.” Djedu π“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š– refers to the birthplace of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 on this side of the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± would allow the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to see outside of it! Inside the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±, the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 would usually be laid on his side so his eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 matched up with the eyes on the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±! This was very typical of Middle Kingdom burial practices π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­, and it was something my Nonno would always point out to me when we were in a museum! 

As a kidΒ π“π“‡Œπ“€•Β (and even now as an adult) I found this practice absolutely fascinating! Now every time I am in a museum, I tell the story to someone about the eyes 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾, just like my Nonno told me!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Canopic Chest and Mummy of Ukhotep

This is the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 and canopic chest of a manΒ π“Šƒπ“€€π“€Β named Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ who lived during Dynasty 12 of the Middle Kingdom. Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was the chief treasurer, which is why he probably received such gorgeous π“„€ funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­, such as this canopic chest that contains dedications to the Four Sons of Horus. The purpose of the canopic chest was to hold the four 𓏽 canopic jars which contained the organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the directional symbols are pointing towards the right, we will start reading from the right!

𓇋π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated/Revered/Honored

𓐍𓂋 – Before

𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 – Duamutef

π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Ukhotep

π“ŽŸπ“„ͺ – Possessor of Honor

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

β€œHonor 𓇋π“„ͺ𓐍” is the full word while the phrase β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” only uses the β€œspine and spinal chord π“„ͺ” symbol to write β€œHonor.” Also, β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” can be written as β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ𓏺,” it just depends on the spacing on the object it is being inscribed on. 

As a beginner, the shortening of words can get confusing, but this is where practice comes in!Β 

These pieces are at the MET in NYC!