Letβs 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 βHair Comb Decorated with Rows of Wild Animalsβ and it is dated to the Predynastic Period (c. 3200 – 3100 B.C.E.). This piece is made of ivory πππ ±π.Β
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 πΎ rows in raised relief and the incredible details show just how talented the Egyptian artists were even at the beginning of the civilization! Itβs also interesting to see each row of animals facing in opposite directions!
The top row shows elephants πππ ±π°πͺ standing on top of snakes ππππππͺ, which suggests some type of religious/cultural symbolism that we donβt know much about! The fact that this is the top row may also have some significance! While seeing snakes ππππππͺ is super common in Egyptian art and mythology, elephants πππ ±π°πͺ are not so itβs very cool to see a depiction of them!
The second row shows birds (they look like pelicans πͺπ΄πππ πͺ to me) and a giraffe π ππ ππ±! Giraffes π ππ ππ±πͺ 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 π ππ ππ±πͺ and the Egyptians did occupy the same areas, however, as the climate became drier, the giraffes π ππ ππ±πͺ migrated out of Egypt ππ ππ which is probably why they do not appear in the art/mythology as often!
The third row shows hyenas π π π‘π¦, the fourth row shows cattle ππ¦ and the fifth row shows boars πππππ¦!
This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.