Tag: tutankhamun

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Egyptian Artifacts

Miniature Mask for a Canopic Bundle

This beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 piece, called a β€œMiniature Mask for a Canopic Bundle” has a lot of contradictory information about it – the MET website and books both have different information about it! The MET website dates this piece to the reign of Amenhotep II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (18th Dynasty) and this piece is in Gallery 119, which is not where it should be based on the books!Β 

Miniature Mask for a Canopic Bundle
The “Miniature Mask for a Canopic Bundle” on display at the MET

The books I have talk about how this piece was found in the Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“. An embalming cache is a collection of the supplies and materials that were used during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process. The embalming cache was usually kept separate from the actual tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ itself, though sometimes these supplies were found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of the person. 

But what exactly is a β€œMiniature Mask for a Canopic Bundle” and what is its purpose? Sometimes, small mummy masks were placed on mummified internal organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 and then placed in larger jars. However, all of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 were placed in mini canopic coffins in his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰, so the purpose of this lone miniature mask is quite confusing – what was it doing in his Embalming Cache?

This mini mask (it’s just over 5 inches in height) is made of cartonnage (a material composed of linen and plaster – like an ancient Egyptian paper mache) and the paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 colors on it are still strikingly bright! I love the details of the red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ, blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, and blue-green 𓇅𓆓𓏛 broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ and the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth! The lotus flowers 𓆸𓆸𓆸 and the vulture, who represents the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nekhbet π“‡‘π“ƒ€π“π“…π“ŽŸ(protector of Upper Egypt and its rulers) are also beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 touches!

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Pharaoh Tutankhamun

At the MET, many walk past this fragment of a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 not knowing who it represents! I have always loved this particular piece because it is the head of Pharaoh Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ who is arguably the most famous pharaoh in the world today! As a kid, seeing King Tut in the MET was just SO COOL because all of the artifacts from his tomb are located in Egypt. I still think it’s cool – even though I’m an adult, I still can’t shake the child-like fascination I have with Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“.

Head of Tutankhamun
The Head of Pharaoh Tutankhamun on display at the MET

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was made during Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ reign (18th Dynasty), and it shows that Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ brought back the old religion and traditional styles of Egyptian art and sculpture. 

Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ is wearing the khepresh crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™, also known as the β€œblue crown” in this statue. The khepresh π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ crown was very popular amongst the New Kingdom pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and it was associated with coronation, the right to rule, and victory. Fun Fact: no example of the Blue Crown (Khepresh) π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ has been found by archaeologists! 

While it can’t be seen in this picture, there is a hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 that can be seen on the back of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ head. This is the hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 of the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­. Since Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ (king of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ) is touching Tutankhamun’s crown, it can be interpreted that Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ approved of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ reign. 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a really cool display at the MET, which shows the Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“!

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Me with some of the artifacts from the Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž was an extremely important aspect of their religion because the body of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed to stay intact in order for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to reach to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. The mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process was long (about 70 days) and it took the work of special priests and many different supplies in order to embalm the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Beautifully decorated vases from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cahce

An embalming cache is a collection of the supplies and materials that were used during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process. The embalming cache was usually kept separate from the actual tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ itself, though sometimes these supplies were found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of the person.Β 

The embalming cache that I am with is actually the supplies used to mummify the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“! Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ embalming ache was found in 1907, which was 15 years before the discovery of his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰! The embalming cache was actually only about 360 feet away from the entrance to his tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰! 

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Broad Collars and Linens from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cache
Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
Vases and Pottery from Tutankhamun’s Embalming Cache

Some of the items that were found in Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ embalming cache are linens 𓍱𓍱𓍱, natron 𓃀𓂧𓇨, animal bones, vases π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹π“¦, and most impressively, three 𓏼 floral broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦! The floral broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦ are thought to have been used during the funeral of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“.Β 

Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun
An exquisitely preserved broad collar made of flowers, which was used during Tutankhamun’s funeral. This was found in his embalming cache.

I’m just so amazed that the broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦ stayed preserved for thousands of years – it’s absolutely incredible! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Tutankhamun and Amun

This diorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 portrays Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ and the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–. Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ is credited with restoring the Cult of Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–, after it was eradicated by his father Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– in order to solely worship the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³.Β 

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is very interesting because it displays Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– very large, while Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ is very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©. Since the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was considered a god π“ŠΉ on Earth 𓇾𓇾, they were usually depicted as large, intimidating, and regal figures. However, the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“ͺ were second to the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ themselves – especially Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– who was the king 𓇓 of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. So in the presence of Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is very small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©. 

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 has sustained damage, most notable is the fact that Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ head is missing. This is because this era of the 18th Dynasty was supposed to be β€˜forgotten’ by history. The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“ͺ that came after Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ tried to erase all evidence of the Amarna era. Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ fell victim to this as well, even though he restored the traditional Egyptian pantheon. It was due to his familial relation to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– that he was also subjected to having his images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 destroyed.Β 

A lot of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 and statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦 were usurped by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, who was not only Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ general π“€Žπ“¦, but was the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 18th Dynasty. 

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Video

Head of Tutankhamun (Video)

To celebrate the 100 𓏲 year anniversary of the discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ (11/4/1922), here is a closer look at the head of a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“! 

While to most this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 head may seem anti-climatic after seeing the Temple of Dendur, I have always loved it because it is a portrait of Pharaoh Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“. As a kid, seeing King Tut in the MET was just SO COOL. I still think it’s cool – even though I’m an adult, I still can’t shake the child-like fascination I have with Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was made during Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ reign (18th Dynasty), and it shows that Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ brought back the old religion and traditional styles of Egyptian art and sculpture. 

The hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 that can be seen on the back of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ head is the hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 of the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­. Since Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ (king of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ) is touching Tutankhamun’s crown, it can be interpreted that Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ approved of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ reign. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Tutankhamun


Who doesn’t have a fascination with King Tut??!! My Nonno had so many books on Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ and as a little kid I was enthralled by all of the pictures of the artifacts that were found in his tomb. I always loved hearing about how Howard Carter found and excavated the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in the Valley of the Kings during the 1920s.

While to most this statue head may seem anti-climatic after seeing the Temple of Dendur, I have always loved it because it is a portrait of Pharaoh Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“. As a kid, seeing King Tut in the MET was just SO COOL. I still think it’s cool – even though I’m an adult, I still can’t shake the child-like fascination I have with Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“

This limestone statue was made during Tutankhamun’s reign (18th Dynasty), and it shows that Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ brought back the old religion and traditional styles of Egyptian art and sculpture. The hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 that can be seen on the back of Tutankhamun’s head is the hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺 of the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­. Since Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ (king of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ) is touching Tutankhamun’s crown, it can be interpreted that Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ approved of Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ reign.

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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“†°. 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Gold Ring of Tutankhamun

In order to commeorate 100 𓏲 year anniversary of the discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹𓋾𓉺𓇓 tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰, let’s take a look at some artifacts related to Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹𓋾𓉺𓇓!

This gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ ring π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“‹ͺ (the one in the back of the photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏), which was also used as a seal, has the throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹𓋾𓉺𓇓 on it! 

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

In the middle of the ring π“‚π“ˆ–𓏏π“‹ͺ, we see the throne name of Tutankhamun: π“‡³π“†£π“¦π“ŽŸ (Nebkheperure). Broken down, the name means:

𓇳 – Ra

𓆣𓏦 – Forms/Manifestations

π“ŽŸ – Lord 
So β€œ

Nebkheperure π“‡³π“†£π“¦π“ŽŸβ€ means β€œLord of the Manifestations of Ra.”

On either side of Nebkheperure π“‡³π“†£π“¦π“ŽŸ, there are other hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ too! 

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

π“ŽŸ Lord

π“Œ» – Beloved

So the full inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads: β€œ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›π“ŽŸπ“Œ» Beloved of Amun, Lord of Eternity.” 

Something really interesting about the inscriptionΒ π“Ÿπ“›π“₯Β is that the sun disc 𓇳 symbol in the word β€œeternityΒ π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ has the Ankh π“‹Ή or symbol for β€œLife” with it, which was a common way to write β€œeternityΒ π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ during the reign π“‹Ύ of AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! It’s meant to represent the Ankhs π“‹Ήπ“‹Ήπ“‹Ή that usually appeared in depictions of the AtenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³.Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Tutankhamun

As a child π“π“‡Œπ“€• (and even now) I love the story about the discovery of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“! The gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ funerary mask and all of the other artifacts found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ completely fascinated me and still fascinate me to this day!

Better known to the public as King Tut, Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ wasn’t that significant of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but the discovery is his pretty much intact tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ helped to popularize him in the modern day. He is the son π“…­ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, and is credited with restoring the traditional Egyptian pantheon after Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– changed the entire Egyptian religion to the monotheistic worship of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ during his rule.

One of the things I love about Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ is his cartouche!! Here is a breakdown of its meaning:
π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– Amun
𓏏𓅱𓏏 Tut (image)
π“‹Ή Ankh (life)
𓋾𓉺𓇓 Ruler of Heliopolis/Upper Egypt

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œTutankhamun” in Middle Egyptian translates to β€œLiving Image of Amun.” However, this wasn’t his original name π“‚‹π“ˆ–; Tutankhaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“‡³ or β€œLiving Image of the Aten” was his actual birth name! When Tutankhamun brought back the old religion, he changed his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to reflect the old religion!

Categories
Blog Reading Hieroglyphs

Tutankhamun’s Cartouche Box Replica

Here’s a bit of a different post for today! One of my absolute favorite pieces besides the Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ and the Anubis shrine 𓃣 is the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 cartouche box from Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰. I have always loved this piece because Tutankhatmun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ cartouche was one of the first hieroglyphic phrases that I learned how to read. I remember being so proud for being able to decipher its meaning when I first started learning! I remember showing my Nonno how I could read it! This box was just the beginning of my journey into the Egyptian language!

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

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun
𓏏𓅱𓏏 – Tut (image)
π“‹Ή – Ankh (life/living)
π“‹Ύ – Ruler
𓉺 – of/on
𓇓 – Upper Egypt

So all put together, the cartouche says β€œTutankhamun, Ruler of Upper Egypt.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Tutankamun means β€œLiving Image of Amun.” Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– is placed first in the cartouche because of honorific transposition – the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ is always placed (out of respect) first even though it is said last.

The wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 cartouche box was one of the pieces featured at the King Tut exhibit in the USA back in 2007, and I spent so much time just looking at this piece while I was there! I was struck by the beauty π“„€ of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ made of ebony and ivory. Seeing the box in person cemented it as one of my most favorite artifacts of all time! I have always wanted a replica (usually they are so expensive), and now I have one! This replica is very detailed and I got it on Amazon!

Fun Fact: The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ referred to the cartouche as shen 𓍢 (cartouche is actually a French word). The word shen 𓍢 is derived from the verb meaning “to encircle.” The purpose of the cartouche was to represent the pharaoh as ruler of all that the sun 𓇳𓏀 encircled! Shen 𓍢 was also representative of infinity, completeness, and protection.