Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of the Aten

Usually, a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· enclosed the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. The oval surrounding the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was meant to be protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ from evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨ both in life π“‹Ή and in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. During the 18th Dynasty, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the King’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“ would also sometimes appear in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·. 

Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was not a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 that followed tradition! Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, which archaeologists sometimes refer to as the β€œAmarna Revolution” is a period of less than 20 π“Ž†π“Ž† years which showed big changes not only to the traditional Egyptian religion, but also changes to the traditional Egyptian art. 

This fragment does not contain the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. Instead, the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are very long way to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³, the sole sun 𓇳𓏺 deity π“ŠΉ in Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– new religion.Β 

Cartouches of the Aten
The Cartouches of the Aten

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These are two 𓏻 of the β€œearly” cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³, as there were variations during the later part of the Amarna period. The two 𓏻 cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are incomplete, but since we know what the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ are supposed to say, I will translate both! 

Here is the first two cartouches at the top of the fragment:  π“‹Ήπ“…Šπ“ˆŒπ“ˆŒπ“Ž›π“‚π“»π“›π“π“ˆŒπ“ 

π“‹Ή – Living 

π“…Šπ“ˆŒπ“ˆŒ – Ra-Horakhty

π“Ž›π“‚π“»π“› – Rejoicing 

𓐝 – in

π“ˆŒπ“ – Horizon

This translates to β€œThe Living Ra-Horakhty, Rejoicing in the Horizon.” 

This second cartouche got cut off (you can only see the first two symbols), but here it is: π“π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“†‘π“π“†„π“…±π“‡³π“ˆ–π“π“»π“π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³

𓐝 – In 

π“ˆ–π“‚‹ – Name

𓆑 – His 

𓐝 – As 

π“†„π“…±π“‡³π“ˆ–π“π“» – Light

𓐝 – In 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten

This translates to β€œIn His Name As the Light Which is In the Aten.” 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ivory Amulet of Thoth

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of my favorite ancient Egyptian artifacts because I really love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things! It’s incredible how much artistry and detail can be seen even in the smallest π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© of objects! To the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were significant because they were seen as being powerful magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ in miniature form!Β 

Ivory Amulet of Thoth
Ivory Amulet of Thoth at the Brooklyn Museum.

During the 18th Dynasty, the use of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ both by the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ and the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 was becoming more and more popular. The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ used by the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 were wrapped within the linen 𓍱 bandages that wrapped mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ, and these amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ helped the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 reach the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ like this ivory π“‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“ŒŸ amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† of the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 that is pictured 𓏏𓅱𓏏, was worn by a living person 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ. Sometimes people wore amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ like this one to proclaim their devotion to a specific god π“ŠΉ. Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 is represented here as a man with the head of an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀, which was a very popular way to see him depicted in Egyptian art. 

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 were also popular to be wrapped within mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 bandages, most likely due to Thoth’s 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 role in the Weighing of the Heart. 

My Nonno loved amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ too, and he would always tell me to look out for the intact cord loop. I love how the loop is still intact on this amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† – it makes me think of my Nonno!Β Whenever I see amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, I always make sure to look for it!

Ivory Amulet of Thoth
The Ivory Amulet of Thoth at the Brooklyn Museum. If you look closely behind his head, you can see the intact cord loop!

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

Categories
Video

Cartouche of Amenhotep III – Video

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

Today we are going to be looking at the cartouche of the throne name of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† ruled during the 18th Dynasty and his rule π“‹Ύ was a time of prosperity for Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, especially in regards to the arts and international influence! 

This piece in the video is a reconstruction of the original by the MET – the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό pieces are original, but the gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ and plaster are not. This beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 decoration is a reconstruction using the tiles that were found during the excavation of Amenhotep III’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† palace at Malqata.

Here is his cartouche: π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – NebmaatraΒ 

Cartouche of Amenhotep III
Cartouche of Amenhotep III at the MET. This is the artifact featured in my video!

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols in the cartouche: 

𓇳 – Ra

𓁧 – Maat (Truth)

π“Ž  – Neb (Possessor)

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to Possessor is/of the Truth of Ra or Possessor is/of the Maat of Ra

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Sedimentary Rocks in Ancient Egypt

Let’s have a combination geology and history lesson today! While I always refer to ancient Egyptian history and hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as my β€œFirst Love,” my second love is petrology! Most people think geology is solely the study of rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, however, geology is actually an umbrella term that covers any field that studies the surface and interior of the Earth 𓇾𓇾! Petrology is solely the study of rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, and within that field, sedimentary rocks are my absolute favorite type of rock to study!

Sedimentary Rocks
A stone vessel from the pre-dynastic period made from the sedimentary rock breccia (Brooklyn Museum)

Even in the pre-dynastic period, ancient Egyptian artisans mastered the art of taking very hard rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ and turning them into something beautiful π“„€ – as is the case with this Breccia jar dated to c. 3500-3100 B.C.E. Breccia was mainly used to make these stone jars, and rarely is it seen in other statuary. 

Breccia is classified as a clastic sedimentary rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™. Sedimentary rocks are rocks that formed from tiny pieces (sediments) of pre-existing rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ and are classified based off the size of the fragments in the rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦. Breccia is defined by the fact that is has fragments over two 𓏻 millimeters in diameter, those fragments are angular, and they are suspended in a matrix (natural cement formed by the precipitation of minerals). 

Breccia’s β€œsister rock” (as I like to call it) is called conglomerate, which is also found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! While the rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦ are similar (fragments over two 𓏻 millimeters in diameter, fragments in a matrix), their main difference is that conglomerate has rounded fragments! Why do we care about that difference? If the fragments are round, it means they traveled a far distance in water π“ˆ— before they formed into the conglomerate! The angular fragments signify that the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ formed quickly after the sediments were deposited!Β 

Sedimentary Rocks
A piece of the rock conglomerate, which was found by me on the North Shore of Long Island. This is from my personal rock collection.

I included a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of a conglomerate from my personal collection (I also found this rock myself) so you can see the difference in the shape of the fragments (scientifically referred to as β€œclasts”).  This conglomerate is one of my favorites because it has a β€œHidden Mickey” in it!

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

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“Nut” in Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­! Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 and the cosmos. In the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– pictured, the determinative symbol is missing and Nut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is spelled with just the phonograms – β€œπ“Œπ“π“‡―.”

Nut

Let’s break down the symbols in Nut’s name! 

The β€œpot π“Œβ€ symbol has a lot of varying and confusing functions! Most commonly, it is used as a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œnw.” It can also replace and act as a variant for the β€œgrain of sand π“ˆ’β€ symbol on special occasions.

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine when placed at the end of the word!

The β€œsky 𓇯” symbol is mostly used as a determinative and ideogram in the words for β€œsky/heaven,” β€œabove,” and β€œceiling.” When used in the word β€œsky,” it is associated with the sound β€œpt” since it is acting like an ideogram. This symbol can also be associated with the sounds β€œhrt,” β€œhry,” and β€œnwt” – depending on which symbols come before it and how it is used!

If you look closely, the words for β€œsky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯” and β€œNut π“Œπ“π“‡―β€ look extremely similar but they are pronounced differently! In these words, the β€œsky 𓇯” symbol is working as an ideogram and complementing the sounds of the previous symbols! This is what we call a β€œphonetic complement” – the sounds are written twice but pronounced once!

π“Œπ“π“‡― – Nut is pronounced like β€œnwt” and the β€œnw π“Œβ€ + β€œt 𓏏” is the complemented by the sky symbol which is also β€œnwt” in this case! This is how phonetic complements work! β€œπ“Œπ“ is technically β€œnwtnwt” but is only pronounced like β€œnwt (Nut).” 

Bonus Grammar:

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Sky is pronounced like β€œpt π“Šͺ𓏏” (β€œpπ“Šͺ” + β€œt 𓏏”) and the β€œsky 𓇯” symbol would also be associated with the sound β€œpt” in this case since it is complementing the two previous symbols! Sky is technically written as β€œptpt” but only pronounced as β€œpt.” 

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Relief of a Nobleman

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ β€œRelief of a Nobleman” on display at the Brooklyn Museum is a beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 and detailed example of a sunken relief! Sunken relief is defined as art that is carved directly into the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™, and it is below the rock face.

Relief of a Nobleman
The “Relief of a Nobleman” piece is on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

This piece is dated to the 19-20th Dynasties (c. 1295-1070 B.C.E.). According to the information from the Brooklyn Museum, the original location of the relief (and the rest of it) is unknown, however, based off the intricacy of the artistry, Egyptologists believe it was possibly originally from a Ramesside-era tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– (modern-day Saqqara).Β 

While this was carved way after the reign of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (and his artistic revolution), some remnants of Amarna-era inspiration remain. For example, the fact that the face is more rounded than flat is Amarna-inspired, as well as the deep carving into the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ near the back of the head as compared to the face. This creates a really cool dimension, and was really first seen in the Amarna-era! 

The wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 that this man is wearing is intricately carved, and I feel like every little detail is seen! The wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 almost looks real! My favorite aspect is the headband with the lotus flowers 𓆸𓆸𓆸 on it!Β 

On the left side of the relief, a hand 𓂝𓏺 is holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ and a flower 𓆼𓅱𓆰. A sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ was a musical instrument (like a rattle/tambourine) that was associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑. Hathor’s 𓉑 face usually appears on the stem of the sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, right below the “rattles.” The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ had a big connection with music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ, and sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ appeared in art (and as actual artifacts) often.Β 

Music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ is something I love and cannot live without. I think it’s fascinating that a love of music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ is something that has not changed in thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years or across civilizations/cultures.Β I love that I share that connection with ancient Egyptian culture!

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Statue of Horemheb Before He Was Pharaoh

Before Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– became the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 18th Dynasty, he was a general π“€Žπ“¦ under the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ Tutankamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ and Ay 𓇳𓆣𓆣π“ͺ𓁹𓐙𓏏. This large statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ (and a second similar one) would have been placed in a temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ – either the temple of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± at Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– or the temple of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ at Karnak.Β 

Statue of Horemheb
Me with a Statue of Horemheb seated with a papyrus from before he was pharaoh.

It was standard for high officials to show themselves in a seated position with a papyrus scroll 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 on their lap. In the Old Kingdom, the statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ usually showed the official reading, but in the New Kingdom, the statues usually showed the official writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯. Horemheb π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŒΊπ“„Ώπ“‹”π“π“Ž± is writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ a hymn to the god π“ŠΉ Thoth π“…€π“€­(who is the god π“ŠΉ of writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯).Β 

Statue of Horemheb
Statue of Horemheb seated with a papyrus from before he was pharaoh.

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ around the base of the statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ mention Horemheb’s π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– many titles. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the β€œpapyrus” 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 that is on Horemheb’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŒΊπ“„Ώπ“‹”π“π“Ž± lap can actually be read, but it was so difficult to get a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏/actually read them because I could not get close enough to the statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ!

It is really interesting to see a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 depicted in statuary before he became the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ were born into their role, but Horemheb π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŒΊπ“„Ώπ“‹”π“π“Ž± ascended to the throne through his status as general π“€Žπ“¦. What a way to end the 18th Dynasty!

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

Categories
Video

Soul of Pe Statue – Video

@ancientegyptblog

This bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ kneeling statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ deity π“ŠΉ is referred to as the β€œSoul of Pe” and it is actually another way to depict the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Also known as β€œHorus of Pe,” these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ became popular during the Late Period, after 600 B.C.E. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and are referred to as the ancestors of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were thought of as very powerful deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that not only aided the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, but also the current living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. In this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­/Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is shown in a characteristic kneeling position with one arm raised, with the other resting on his chest. This is known as a β€œjubilation position,” which is meant to show the Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– celebrating the rising of the sun 𓆄𓅱𓇢. The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is usually represented as Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„, while the Soul of Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– is usually represented as a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯. This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #ancientegyptblog #anticoegitto #egyptology #brooklynmuseum

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

This bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ kneeling statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ deity π“ŠΉ is referred to as the β€œSoul of Pe” and it is actually another way to depict the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Also known as β€œHorus of Pe,” these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ became popular during the Late Period, after 600 B.C.E. 

The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and are referred to as the ancestors of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were thought of as very powerful deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that not only aided the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, but also the current living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

In this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­/Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is shown in a characteristic kneeling position with one arm raised, with the other resting on his chest. This is known as a β€œjubilation position,” which is meant to show the Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– celebrating the rising of the sun 𓆄𓅱𓇢. The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is usually represented as Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„, while the Soul of Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– is usually represented as a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯.Β 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and most importantly, my Nonno!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Tomb in Hieroglyphs!

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at one of the ways to write β€œtomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰β€ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 below is from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ at the MET, which has the word for “tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰” written on it!

Tomb in Hieroglyphs
The word for “tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰” in hieroglyphic symbols on a sarcophagus at the MET.

Let’s break down each of the symbols:Β 

The β€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν— (y),” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.”

The β€œbundle of reeds 𓇩” is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œjz.”

The β€œdoorbolt π“Šƒβ€ symbol is a uniliteral phonogram which represents the sound β€œz” or β€œs.” It’s also the 

ideogram for the word β€œdoorbolt.” 

The β€œschematic house plan π“‰β€œ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œpr,” but it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œhouse 𓉐𓏺.” This symbol is commonly used as a determinative for words that have to do with buildings (like our word of the day – tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰) or places (Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐). 

So how would β€œπ“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰β€ be pronounced? π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ would actually be said like β€œis.” In Middle Egyptian, a bunch of the written words repeat sounds, but the repeated sounds aren’t pronounced at all. It’s like how β€œπ“„€β€ and β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹β€ are both still pronounced β€œnfr” even though the sounds repeat in the word.Β There are many variants for ancient Egyptian words, and it makes reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ like a puzzle! When you first start learning it can be frustrating, but then it becomes fun!

Here are some other variants/ways to write β€œtomb” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

𓉐𓆖 – Mastaba (House of Eternity)

𓂝𓂝𓉴 – Tomb/Mastaba

𓄿𓂝𓂝𓉴 – Tomb/Mastaba

π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“ŒΈ – Tomb Shaft

π“…œπ“π“ˆŒπ“‰ – Tomb of a King, Horizon

𓀻𓋴𓉐 – Tomb Chapel

If you want to see the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­, check out my video on this post!

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

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Ancient Egyptian Earth Day!

Yesterday was Earth Day and I forgot about it but I have a good excuse I promise – I’m an Earth Science teacher and for me, everyday is Earth Day!!Β 

It’s incredible to me how much the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ knew about our beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 planet, and how that knowledge was reflected in their intricate mythology. The Earth 𓇾𓇾 itself is differentiated (interior is divided into layers), has an atmosphere, and that atmosphere fades and thins away until space is reached. We can see all of these different β€œlayers” in this art from a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ which is showing part of the creation myth! Let’s take a closer look!Β 

Earth Day
A close-up image of a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicts (from top): Nut, Shu, Khnum and Geb!

The goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the cosmos, Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­, is depicted as a woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 arched over the rest of the figures, because as the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the cosmos, she surrounds the Earth 𓇾𓇾 – just like space actually does! Directly underneath Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ is Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere. Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭 is seen holding up the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 (which is depicted as the sky 𓇯 hieroglyph). Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭 is responsible for raising the atmosphere from the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface! 

Underneath Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭 is Geb 𓅭𓃀𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, which the ancient Egyptians called the Upper Earth. Tantanen (not pictured) is the god π“ŠΉ of the Lower Earth (aka Earth’s interior). I still think it’s amazing that the ancient Egyptians knew there was an interior to the Earth 𓇾𓇾, and the mythology is how they conceptualized that. 

Khnum π“ŽΈπ“€­/π“ŽΈπ“π“€­, the ram headed creator god, is also pictured. Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ is one of the oldest deities; he is the god π“ŠΉ of the source of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί, fertility and was thought to have made humans out of clay from his potters wheel! 

Take a closer look at the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 and see if you can see the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of all of these gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

So in this beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, we have a representation of Space (Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­), the atmosphere (Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭), the Earth’s surface (Geb 𓅭𓃀𓀭) and the source of the Nile (Khnum π“ŽΈπ“€­). This is how the Egyptians saw Earth 𓇾𓇾 and I think it’s incredible!! 

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