Month: April 2023

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

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 without permission.

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. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Chariot in Ancient Egypt

This rectangle fragment of a relief depicting a horse drawn chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ was found at the Great Aten Temple in Amarna (Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–). This piece is estimated to have been carved between c. 1352–1336 B.C.E., which is during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–. This particular relief pictured was originally part of a much larger image 𓏏𓅱𓏏. Here, chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ attendants are keeping watch of the chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ for the royal family.Β 

Chariot
Image of a horse drawn chariot and a chariot attendant from Akhetaten on display at the MET.

Chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ (and horses 𓋴𓋴𓅓𓏏𓃗π“ͺ) were not always a part of Egyptian history. It is estimated by historians that the chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ first arrived in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– around 1600 B.C.E. and that they were introduced by the Hyksos. The first horse 𓋴𓋴𓅓𓏏𓃗 remains in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– are estimated to be from the Thirteenth Dynasty, so horses 𓋴𓋴𓅓𓏏𓃗π“ͺ must have been introduced to Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– before the Hyksos rule. 

After Ahmose I π“‡Ίπ“„Ÿ defeated the Hyksos and reunified Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– to start the 18th Dynasty/New Kingdom, the chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ became a common sight in both art and in the life of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. Chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ were the number one choice of transportation for royalty! Chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ were also used by pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 to take part in hunting, and were used by the army for battle. Many reliefs and other forms of art from this time period shows various pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 hunting or going into battle on their chariot. The chariot π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œ became a sign of bravery and strength π“Œ€. 

Fun Fact: the hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ for β€œchariot π“Œβ€ only appeared in Middle Egyptian around the same time that the chariots π“…¨π“‚‹π“‚‹π“π“Œπ“¦ were introduced to Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! That totally makes sense and it’s so cool to β€œwatch” the language evolve as technology evolved! The same thing happens today! 

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
Reading Hieroglyphs

Difference Between π“€€ and 𓀁 Hieroglyphs

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

What’s the difference between π“€€ and 𓀁? They are very similar symbols in terms of style, but today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to take a closer look at both of them because they do have different functions and meanings in Middle Egyptian! 

But first, let’s review the different types of hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbols! The determinative symbol is a symbol used to show the general meaning of the word! It is basically used as punctuation at the end of the word to show you that it is over, and is not pronounced. An ideogram is a single symbol that is used to write the word it represents and is usually followed by a single stroke 𓏺. A phonogram is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word. There are phonograms that can represent one (uniliteral), two (biliteral) or three (triliteral) consonants!Β 

hieroglyphs
An image of sunken relief hieroglyphs showing the man with hand to mouth 𓀁 hieroglyph on the left and the seated man π“€€ hieroglyph on the right (The MET)

The β€œseated man π“€€β€œ symbol can be a phonogram, ideogram, and most commonly a determinative. As a uniliteral phonogram it represents the sound β€œj.” It is also an ideogram for β€œman 𓀀𓏺” and can be used as a first person pronoun. As a determinative, π“€€ appears at the end of words (such as occupations and names) to show that the person is a man. 

Here are some examples on how to use π“€€: 

π“€€ – I, Me, My

π“…­π“€€ – Son (the determinative is rarely used later on, but this was the original word)

π“Ÿπ“€€ – Scribe 

π“ˆ–π“―π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“―π“€€ – Nonno

𓆑𓀀/𓇋𓏏𓀀 – Father

𓀀𓏺/π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ – Man

The β€œman with hand to mouth 𓀁” symbol functions solely as a determinative symbol and is usually used to represent words that are associated with speaking, thinking, eating, drinking, and for feelings/emotions.

Here are some examples on how to use 𓀁: 

𓇋𓀁 – To Say/Speak

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“…“π“€ – Eat

π“Šƒπ“ƒ€π“‡‹π“€ – Drink

π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“€ – Mourning

π“Ώπ“Ž›π“…±π“€ – Rejoice

As you can see, the 𓀁 symbol appears at the end of the word, meaning that it is the determinative!

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