Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amulets of Anubis

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! One of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 titles is, π“‡‹π“Άπ“…±π“π“Žπ“Š–, β€œHe who is in the mummy wrappings” – which reminds me of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ!

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were quite abundant during the Late – Ptolemaic Period (664–31 B.C.E.). These are made of faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, which was a popular material to make amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ out of because faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό is both easy to work with and very cheap. It was very easy to mass produce these types of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ!

Funerary amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ such as these were often made in the form of deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ who had various roles in protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱. Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ would be woven into the wrappings of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾, and placed in specific locations in the wrappings depending on its function. Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were magical π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ items whose main role was protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ!

While some amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were worn by the living, an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 would have been worn only by the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. As Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is the god π“ŠΉ of embalming/mummification and tombs/cemeteries, he was tasked with protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. Since the body of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 needed to be preserved in order for them to reach the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 had a significant role in the deceased’s journey – which is where amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ in his likeness came into play! Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ commonly took the form of the power that they represented!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Hatshepsut – Ointment Jar Translation

This is an ointment jar that was found amongst many other artifacts in the foundation deposits of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Deir el-Bahri. While foundation deposits can be traced all the way back to the 3rd Dynasty, putting ointment jars in them date back to the 12th Dynasty. There are fourteen foundation deposits associated with Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰! In Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ time, the temple was referred to as 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 or the β€œHoliest of Holies” (or djeser-djeseru). There are many different hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ variations of the word as well!

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

π“π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Great Goddess
π“ŽŸπ“π“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lady of the Two Lands
𓇳𓁦𓂓 – Maatkare
π“‹Ήπ“˜ – May She Live!
π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun
π“…“ – In
𓂦𓂦𓅱𓉐 – Holiest of Holies
π“ŒΊπ“π“‡Œ – Beloved

So all together, the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads: β€œThe Great Goddess, Lady of the Two Lands, Maatkare, May She Live! Beloved of Amun who is in the Holiest of Holies.”

Fun fact about the word β€œπ“…“!” This one symbol, usually associated with the modern letter β€œm,” can have many meanings such as: in, as, by, with, from, when, through, and what!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Senemut

This is a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£. 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. Sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ usually had Hathor’s 𓉑 head 𓁢𓏀 (complete with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears) on top of a long handle. It’s interesting to see a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding something other than Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, because he is usually depicted with her.

Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ closest advisor, the tutor for her daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and the architect responsible for building her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her.

There are many differing theories on Senemut’s π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό relationship with Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ Many believe (including myself) that they were having an affair. There’s even graffiti from the tomb builders in some unfinished tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“¦ that show that they too believed that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό were romantically involved.

Gossiping about relationships seems to have always been something that people have done!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Foundation Deposits at Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple

When the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ built 𓐍𓂀𓅱𓋴𓀧 any type of structure or building 𓉐, they would put objects in the foundation as a ceremonial practice. Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 had at least fourteen π“Ž†π“½ foundation deposits, and eight 𓏿 of them were found by the MET when the team from the museum was excavating the temple 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐.

Inside the foundation deposits, ointment jars (like from my post earlier this week), pottery containing food, linen 𓍱 cloth, reed mats, model tools, and meat offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 were found. The offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 were placed at significant points around the perimeter of the building. The picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you are looking at is a reconstruction of the foundation deposit as it was found when it was being excavated at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐.

It’s so cool to have a glance as to how some of these objects were found by archaeologists!

Foundation deposits are so interesting because they contain every-day type objects (usually with royal cartouches inscribed on them) that give Egyptologists a glance into the life of the “regular” ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Anubis – Name in Hieroglyphs

Can you tell that I love Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣?!?! πŸ–€ And yes, I did take a selfie with Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 that was on a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ when I was the MET!

Nicole (me) with Anubis!

There are so many misconceptions about Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 especially in pop culture (Anubis was the villain for like seven seasons of Stargate SG-1)! Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is always depicted as the β€œbad guy,” when in reality, he most certainly was not! Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 was an extremely respected Egyptian god π“ŠΉ due to his role in protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱, preserving the body (mummification) and aiding the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in reaching the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife) through the Weighing of the Heart.

In the Old Kingdom, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 was the most prominent god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱, however, he was replaced by Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ during the Middle Kingdom when Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ became the more prominent god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in hieroglyphs

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 played a big role in the myth of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ as well – after Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ recovered Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ body parts, she brought them to Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 who wrapped them in cloth and performed the Opening of the Mouth on Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The Opening of the Mouth was a ritual that would restore the senses to the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and allow them to work in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Red Bowl with Feet

This red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ bowl with feet 𓂋𓂧𓂾π“ͺ amuses me so much! I think it’s adorable!!

During the Predynastic Period (c. 3700–3450 B.C.E.) , ancient Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ potters made many different types of stone and clay vessels that had various purposes, however, this bowl with feet is definitely one of the more unique ones! One interesting thing about the bowl is that it is tipped forward almost like it’s ready to pour water π“ˆ— out of it! I wonder if this specific design has anything to do with its purpose?!

Egyptologists do not know the context of this bowl as there is no specific writings π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that mention its purpose. However, Egyptologists speculate that it could have been used as an offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ placed above a tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰, or placed at a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ of a deity π“ŠΉ.

What I like about this bowl is that it looks like this hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ: π“Ž. This specific hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ of a bowl with feet π“Ž means β€œto bring” and is a phonogram for the sound β€œjnj.”

It also reminds me of 𓃂, which is the ideogram for β€œclean” or β€œpure.” Based on the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, and the fact that the bowl is tipped forward as if it’s pouring water π“ˆ—, could this little bowl have been part of some religious purification ritual?! The word for purification is is even β€œ π“‹΄π“ƒ‚π“ˆ—.”

There are other hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that are everyday objects with feet 𓂋𓂧𓂾π“ͺ attached, such as this knife with feet π“Œ¬, the door bolt with feet π“Š„ (ideogram for β€œgo away”), beaded collar with feet π“‹Ÿ, and the depression with feet π“ˆ (frequently used as β€œgo”). The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ seemed to have liked this design/symbolism!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montuhotep II – Birth Name Cartouche

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Montuhotep II

Same relief from yesterday, but different hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name/given name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and that is the cartouche we will be looking at today!

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Montuhotep II

Let’s look even closer at the individual words!

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± – Montu (𓏠 – mn) (π“ˆ– – n) (𓍿- t) (π“…± – u/w)
π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Hotep (π“Š΅ – htp) (𓏏 – t) (π“Šͺ – p)

Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± refers to one of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon. Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± was a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed god π“ŠΉ of war who was mainly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. He is mentioned as early as the Pyramid texts, but he didn’t rise to importance until the 11th Dynasty. However, Montu’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± importance waned beginning in the 12th Dynasty as Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ rose to power in the Theban region. However, Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± wasn’t forgotten because Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄠𓋴(who was quite the general/military leader) frequently compared himself to Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±!

The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” translates to the word β€œsatisfied” or β€œcontent.” The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” can also mean β€œoffering” or β€œpeace!”

So the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ means β€œMontu is satisfied” or β€œMontu is content.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montuhotep II – Throne Name Cartouche

π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ – Nebhapetra

This raised relief is originally from Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. This relief was part of one of the main areas of the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ that was added at the end of Montuhotep’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ reign π“‹Ύ. This dates the relief to c. 2010–2000 B.C.E. (Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11).

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

While Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, the cartouche we are looking at is his throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ–!

π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ – Nebhapetra

Let’s look even closer at the individual glyphs!
𓇳 – Ra
π“ŽŸ – β€œNeb” (nb)
π“Š€ – β€œHapet” (αΈ«rw or αΈ₯jpt)

Most of the time when you have a three 𓏼 symbol throne name, the glyphs are read middle, right/bottom, and then top/left. The symbol for Ra 𓇳 is written first but said last, due to honorific transposition! Basically, out of respect for the god π“ŠΉ, their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written first!

In English (and other languages like Italian) we have something similar to this – we say β€œten dollars” but write it as β€œdollars ten” – $10!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Scarab Amulets

The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is the personification is the god π“ŠΉ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛. The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were said to be the most powerful of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ because the the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that the dung beetle (which the scarab was fashioned after) was capable of eternal regeneration. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 was considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of the morning sun 𓇳𓏺, and was usually depicted as a scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣, or as a human body with a scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 for a head 𓁢𓏺! Due to his ties with the sun 𓇳𓏺, Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 was considered to be an aspect of the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛!

The god π“ŠΉ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 symbolizes a β€œlife cycle” – birth, death, and then rebirth in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. This cycle was essential to Egyptian religious beliefs, as Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ spent their lives preparing for death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and entering the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife).

One of the best things about the MET are these little galleries that are offshoots of the main galleries – there are some real treasures (such as this scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 display) hidden away here! Honestly I love these little galleries more than the main areas – it’s almost like having a private museum!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Funerary Cones

While not as artistically decorated as most of the artifacts in the Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ collections of museums, these funerary cones were always something my Nonno pointed out to me! He thought they were so interesting and now every time I go to museums, I actively seek these out as a way to remember my Nonno!

Nicole (me) with funerary cones at The Met!

Funerary cones are made of clay and usually found at the openings of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ at Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. They were used primarily during the 18th Dynasty (though there are examples that date to the 11th Dynasty or as late as the 19th-20th Dynasties).

The end of the funerary cone is usually circular in shape and usually contains an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ with the name of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ occupant as well as a god π“ŠΉ. These objects can also be referred to as β€œfunerary stamps.”

An example inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that is common on a funerary cone would be something like:

β€œVenerated before Osiris, Son of X, Name of Deceased.”

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated
𓐍𓂋 – Before
π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris