Month: March 2024

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The Tower of Terror

The Tower of Terror was one of my Nonno’s absolute favorite rides at Disney World and he was always the oldest person on the ride! The queue for the ride is incredible as are the pre-show rooms because there’s so many cool things to look at, including ancient Egyptian themed things!Β 

Tower of Terror

Do you spot some familiar statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦? William and I found our friend Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲! I was honestly so surprised to see a replica of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 from the MET in the pre-show room (this was the room on the left) because not only is Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 an obscure deity, but this isn’t a popular or well-known statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was thought to be the god π“ŠΉ of human fate and fortune and the slayer of demons.

Next to Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 is a replica statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the goddess Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ (you can also find one like this at the MET). When Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was depicted with the body of a woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 (like in this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾), she was usually holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ in one hand!

We also found replica statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦 of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣!Β 

Tower of Terror

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was thought to be the mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and was often associated with motherhood, the protection of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, and a user of magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ.  As Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ became a more popular religious figure, she was associated with cosmological order and was considered to be the embodiment of fate by the Romans.

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 (my favorite) was the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž, cemeteries/tombs, and was charged with protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

I hope you enjoyed this post about Ancient Egypt in Disney! Be sure to check out my other posts!

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Tutu

While this looks like a small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 this isn’t just any sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€: his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲! The word β€œTutu” in Egyptian can be translated as β€œImage 𓏏𓏲𓏏” or β€œOne 𓏏𓏲.” The reason I am using the β€œπ“²β€ instead of the β€œπ“…±β€ to write the β€œw/u” sound is because β€œπ“…±β€ was used more for Middle/New Egyptian while β€œπ“²β€ was used in Late Egyptian!

Tutu
A front view of the limestone statue of Tutu. His inlaid eyes are missing, probably lost in antiquity.

Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was a late addition to the Egyptian pantheon as his first appearance is around 600 B.C.E., and he became a very popular deity in the late centuries B.C.E. to the Roman period. He is considered to be an obscure god π“ŠΉ and not much is known about him – most people think they are seeing a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ when they see him!

Tutu
The limestone statue of Tutu – can you see his snake tail?

Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was the son π“…­ of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­ and he was usually represented as a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ (human head, lion body) with a snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 as a tail! You can see the snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 tail on the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 if you look closely!

One of the reasons that Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 became so popular is because he was worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by ordinary people and Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was accessible to everyone! Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was thought to be the god π“ŠΉ of human fate and fortune and the slayer of demons. Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was commonly known as β€œWho Comes to the One Calling Him” but was also referred to as β€œGreat of Strength” and β€œThe Lion.” 

On reliefs, Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was also portrayed as a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ except his head was usually facing forward instead of the usual profile depiction that is in most Egyptian art. This was so Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 could be see as approachable by all!

On this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, the inlaid glass eyes are missing! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is also made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and is dated to the Ptolemaic Period. 

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

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Flowers in Ancient Egypt and Disney!

William and I were lucky enough to attend the Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT where we got to see all of the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 and topiaries! The pictures I am posting are some of my favorites that we saw!Β We are also going to use this as an opportunity to examine the significance of flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 in ancient Egypt!

Flowers
William with the Winnie the Pooh topiary at EPCOT!

When we envision Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, we usually think of an arid and desert π“ˆŠπ“π“Ί environment. However, flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 were very popular in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and it did have its own beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 that were definitely appreciated by the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ!

Flowers
William with the Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore topiaries at EPCOT!

If you look at lists of hieroglyphic symbols, there are 44 individual hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that represent plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰! For example, the phonogram/ideogram for the Nile Valley/Upper Egypt is 𓇗 – which represents a flowering plant.

Plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 were used for food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ and medicine π“‡‹π“…±π“ˆŽπ“π“†°π“¦, so they were vital in that respect. Plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 were considered to be so important that Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ actually sent out an expedition of people to go and look for new plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 that could be used for food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ or medicine π“‡‹π“…±π“ˆŽπ“π“†°π“¦! The word for β€œmedicine π“‡‹π“…±π“ˆŽπ“π“†°π“¦β€ in Middle Egyptian even has one of the plant hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in it!Β 

Flowers
William with the Elsa and Anna topiaries at EPCOT!

We still appreciate plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 for their beauty 𓄀𓆑𓂋 and usefulness to us even today!

Here is some flower-related vocabulary! 

𓇐𓅓𓆰 – plant (noun)

𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰 – plants

𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 – flowers

𓁷𓂋𓂋𓏏𓆰 – flower

𓍯𓇅 / 𓇅𓆰 – papyrus

𓇆𓆰π“₯ – vegetation

Flowers
William with the Princess Tiana topiary at EPCOT!

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

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Jars of Yuya and Thuya

These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό are very unique and I really like them! The only jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό similar to this that have been found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– were in the tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ of Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 in the Valley of the Kings (KV46). These jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό at the MET are tentatively dated to the 18th Dynasty reign of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† because of this!Β 

Jars of Yuya and Thuya
Limestone Jars of Yuya and Thuya at the MET

Fun Fact: Yuya π“‡Œπ“…±π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“€Ό and Thuya 𓍿𓅱𓇋𓅱 were Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– grandparents and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ great-parents!

These four 𓏽 jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό are made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and have lids on them that show different animals! More specifically the lids show the deity Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ, a frog π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‚‹π“†, an ox 𓃾 head and a resting calf π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“‡Œπ“ƒ”. No one knows what these jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό were specifically for!Β 

Jars of Yuya and Thuya
Jars of Yuya and Thuya showcasing the interesting lids!

Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ also represented everything good, and was the enemy of anything evil. Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ is also thought to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ people against sickness. Cups were fashioned in Bes’ π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ likeness and people thought if they drank from the cup, Bes π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“„œ would heal them! So maybe these jars π“Ž›π“†°π“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Šπ“Ό were protecting something?! 

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

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Will of Mery

This papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is one of the oldest legal documents found in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! The papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛, which is the Will of Mery, is dated to about 1818 B.C.E., which was during the Middle Kingdom. It is currently on display at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at UCL in London!Β 

Will of Mery

You may notice that this papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is not written in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ or even cursive hieroglyphs! Like most papyri 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛𓏦, it is written using a script called Hieratic. Hieratic is a script that was used on papyri 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛𓏦 and the symbols do not match their hieroglyphic counterparts! I cannot read Hieratic and I have found it quite difficult to learn! Plus the Hieratic symbols have evolved over time so they have changed a lot which only makes it more difficult! 

Luckily, the UCL website has a wonderful translation of this papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 so I was able to read what was being said! This is a will in which a man named Mery (a very popular name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in ancient Egypt) asks for his son π“…­ Intef to be appointed to his job in the temple of Senwosret II. It also reveals some presumed family drama – Mery cancels the previous will that left things to Intef’s mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 and then leaves it instead to his children π“π“‡Œπ“€”π“ͺ that were born by another woman.Β 

The UCL website poses some questions such as β€œDid Intef’s mother die or did Mery divorce her?” – there are some things we will never know! It’s amazing how documents such as these can give us such insight into ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– but still leave us with so many questions!Β 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep (Part 2)

Here is the second small papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 which belonged to a man named Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (not the pharaoh). You should also check out Part 1 which goes into more depth on a different papyrus of Amenhotep!

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
The Book of the Dead of Amenhotep on display at the MET.

This small section of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 has Chapter 78 written in Cursive Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. This chapter is about how the deceased can β€œtake the form of a divine Falcon.” The gods Osiris and Horus appear in this spell, and it even involves a mythological figure called β€œThe Double Lion.” 

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

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
A closeup of the Book of the Dead of Amenhotep which shows a mummy figure of Amenhotep (left) and a Falcon (right).

Next to the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ you can see the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ which I think are: π“†£π“‚‹π“…“π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ŠΉπ“‚‹π“» (sometimes the cursive hieroglyphs are difficult to read – I did my best).Β 

β€œπ“†£π“‚‹β€ means β€œto exist, to be, to change into” and β€œπ“ŠΉπ“‚‹β€ means β€œdivine.” While the other symbols are a little difficult to read, I can assume it’s one of the variants for the word β€œFalcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„β€ since I can see what I think is the beginning of the word β€œπ“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘.” So all together this text most likely reads: β€œTo Change Into the Divine Falcon.” 

π“†£π“‚‹π“…“π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ŠΉπ“‚‹π“» or “To Change Into the Divine Falcon” is the name of Chapter 78 which is what the rest of this papyrus shows! It’s amazing how the ancient Egyptians wrote titles for their “chapters” (using “chapters” or “numbers” to describe the Book of the Dead is a modern designation and was not used during ancient times).

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” means β€œAmun is Satisfied” and is a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– known by people who love ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– because there were many pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 who had the birth name of β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.” I didn’t notice it until I zoomed in on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛, but the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” appears in the top left corner next to the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 looking figure! I love how the ancient Egyptians captioned everything – if you can read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ it makes everything so much easier! 

Let’s break down the meaning of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun 

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – htp (Satisfied, Peace) 

If you want a lot of information about the Book of the Dead, I suggest looking at UCL’s website – it’s what I use to reference the chapter numbers!

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

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep (Part 1)

This is a small papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 which belonged to a man named Amenhotep (not the pharaoh). Amenhotep was the β€œOverseer of the Builders of Amun” and he lived during the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom). 

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
Book of the Dead of Amenhotep at the MET.

This particular papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 sheet shows portions of Chapters 42 and 74 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. The β€œChapters” are a modern numerical sequence put together as more copies of the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 were found. There is no particular order to the ancient Egyptian spells – each copy of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is different which is part of what makes it fascinating! 

Chapter 42 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 associates different parts of the body π“Ž›π“‚π“„Ό with that of a particular deity π“ŠΉ. For example, one line from this spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› is β€œThe lips of Anubis, the teeth of Serket…” and it continues in that fashion! 

Chapter 74 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is the spell for β€œhastening on foot and going out from the earth.” 

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the Book of the Dead was actually referred to as the β€œBook of Coming Forth by Day” which is what the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ β€œπ“‰π“‚‹π“π“‚»π“…“π“‰”π“‚‹π“²π“‡³π“Ίπ“Όπ“Ίβ€ translate to!

Let’s take a closer look: 

𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻 – Coming Forth

π“…“ – By

𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺 – Day

𓍼𓏺 – Determinative for papyrus scroll (which is where β€œbook” comes from) 

If you want a lot of information about the Book of the Dead, I suggest looking at UCL’s website – it’s what I use to reference the chapter numbers and anything in quotes in this description is from their website!Β 

If you were interested in this post, please check out Part 2 which looks at the second papyrus that belonged to Amenhotep!

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Nectanbo the Falcon

This piece is named β€œGod Horus Protecting King Nectanbo II.” Nectanbo II π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– was the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the short lived 30th Dynasty and he made himself the focus of a religious cult called β€œNectanbo the Falcon,” which was a merging of himself with the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was the god π“ŠΉ of kingship!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
Me with Nectanbo the Falcon!

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

There’s a small inscription at the base of the statue, and the inscription is a mirrored one – this means you start in the middle and read Middle to left or middle to right depending on the direction of the symbols! The β€œπ“‹Ήβ€ is the middle so that is where we are going to start!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
A closeup of the hieroglyphs at the base of the statue.

Middle to Left:

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt 

π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– – Nectanbo II β€œPleasing to the Heart of Ra, Chosen of Amun” (throne name)

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹- Osiris Mnevis

π“Œ» – Beloved

Middle to Right:Β 

π“‹Ή – Life

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“₯Xπ“†‡π“ˆ˜π“‚‘π“…ƒπ“Ž³π“π“Š– – Nectanbo II β€œNakht Hor Hebit” (birth name) [the X is a symbol I don’t have]

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» – Osiris Mnevis

Interesting Interpretation of the Hieroglyphs:

What’s interesting about this inscription is that I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be β€œπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» Osiris Mnevis” or β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis” with β€œπ“Œ»β€ being β€œbeloved.” To me it makes more sense if it is  β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis,” but I translated it both ways! 

Osiris Mnevis π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» is a combination of the gods Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ and Mnevis π“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ». Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋.  Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋 was one of the Bull gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in ancient Egypt. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ushabti of Akhenaten

This piece is listed as a β€œFunerary Figure” by the MET, but I think they mean to call it a ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ! This particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ belonged to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–, and he had many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ made in various styles from many different materials (you can see another ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ of his in the background of this photo). The ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures that belonged to him are made in the typical Amarna-art style.Β 

Ushabti of Akhenaten
The only fully preserved Ushabti of Akhenaten on display at the MET.

While are over 200 𓏲𓏲 ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures that belonged to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, this red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is the only known one that is complete! Red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ is a very durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ because it is composed of over 60% quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™, which is a very hard mineral π“‡‹π“Œ»π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ™ so it makes sense that this particular ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ would be the one to remain complete! 

It seems strange that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– would be buried with ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ because he completely changed the Egyptian religion from the traditional polytheistic worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 to the monotheistic worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. This shows that while he did completely change Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– religion, some aspects of the old religion, such as belief in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, did remain and persist throughout his rule π“‹Ύ. Personally, I’m glad the ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were able to stick around because they’re my favorite!!

Most ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain standard inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ known as the β€œshabti spell” or β€œshabti text” from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, which is the spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› that allows the ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figure to perform work for the deceased in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. Due to the change in religion, none of Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ contain the β€œShabti Spell;” they only contain inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and titles. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Seshat

This is an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 on a Roman-era (60-70 A.D.) mummy mask. Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of writing, wisdom and knowledge. This is actually the only object at the MET that contains an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐! Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 does not appear much in ancient Egyptian art, and there are no temples or cult centers dedicated to her worship.Β 

Seshat

Seshat’s 𓋇𓏏𓁐 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– literally translates to β€œfemale scribe,” and she is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ! I have always really liked Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 because she was a female figure associated with hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and I related to that aspect of her! I always wished there were more depictions of her in ancient Egyptian art!

In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, she is holding writing with a stylus, which is very typical of artistic depictions of her! You can easily pick Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 out in Egyptian art because of the seven pointed emblem 𓋇 that she wears on her head (I call it a star – but no one really knows what it is). This symbol is also part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, which makes it easy to spot in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of architecture, accounting, mathematics, and surveying. This is what made her an essential part of a building ceremony called the β€œStretching of the Cord.” The β€œStretching of the Cord” was part of the foundation ritual that occurred when a building was constructed in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. It involved nailing four 𓏽 stakes into the ground at the four 𓏼 corners of the building and then linking them with a cord. 

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is definitely related to and shares some of the same functions as the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭, who was also considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, knowledge π“‚‹π“π“π“œ and wisdom. Usually Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 is credited with inventing writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯/hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (hence his title β€œLord of the Divine Words/Writing π“ŽŸπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“‚‚π“‚‚π“‚‚π“Ÿβ€), however, some mythology credits Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 with inventing writing/hieroglyphs, while Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 was the one who taught writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ to man! 

Here are some ways to write Seshat’s name in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

Seshat 𓋇

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐

Seshat π“‹΄π“ˆ™π“„Ώπ“π“…†

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

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