Tag: scarab

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Name of Thutmosis I or Thutmosis II?

Have you ever asked yourself “Are these hieroglyphs the name of Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 or Thutmosis II π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ–?” The names are so similar, that if you’re reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, you probably have!

The discovery of the tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰ of Thutmosis II π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ– is so exciting and I cannot wait to learn more about this discovery!! The 18th Dynasty is my favorite time period, and Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 so I am really excited about all of the new information that can be learned from this discovery!

In celebration of this wonderful discovery, Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Thutmosis I or Thutmosis II
A display of scarabs which show the names of the 18th Dynasty pharaohs Thutmosis I and Thutmosis II. This display is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Can you find the name of Thutmosis II amongst the Thutmosis I scarabs?

In this beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 display of scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ at the MET, there is a collection with the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 and Thutmosis II π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ–. Except there is a mistake in the display – one of the scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ in the Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 section actually belonged to Thutmosis II π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ–!

Can you find it? Scroll below to see the answer once you’ve looked!Β 

Thutmosis I or Thutmosis II

It’s the scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 in the bottom row, second from the left! The throne names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of Thutmosis I 𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 and Thutmosis II π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ– are very similar to each other – there is only a one hieroglyph difference between the two! 

Let’s take a closer look at the names: 

𓇳𓉻𓆣𓂓 – β€œGreat 𓉻 is the Manifestation 𓆣 of the soul π“‚“ of Ra 𓇳” (Thutmosis I)

π“‡³π“‰»π“†£π“ˆ– – β€œGreat 𓉻 is the Manifestation 𓆣 of π“ˆ– Ra 𓇳” (Thutmosis II) 

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 most importantly, my Nonno!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Heart and Heart Scarab

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about the Heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the Heart Scarab! This particular Heart Scarab at the Brooklyn Museum is so cool because it is actually in the shape of a heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 instead of a Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣. The term β€œHeart Scarab” is a modern one used by archaeologists! 

In ancient Egyptian culture, the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not only the center of a person’s life π“‹Ή, but also thinking, memory, and moral values. The heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not removed during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process, because the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person would need it on their journey through the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

The person’s heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 would be weighed against Maat’s π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ feather 𓆄𓏺 by Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, and that would determine if the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and then enter the Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–, or eternal 𓆖 life π“‹Ή. This was called the β€œWeighing of the Heart,”  or the β€œJudgement of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.” 

Heart Scarab
Two Heart Scarabs in the shape of a heart, with Chapter 30B of the Book of the Dead inscribed on it.

So how does the Heart Scarab play into this? In modern terms, the Heart Scarab could be seen as a β€œcheat code” for getting past the β€œWeighing of the Heart” – most are inscribed with the spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› from Chapter 30B from the Book of the Dead. In this spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“›, the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 asks their own heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 to not betray them during the β€œWeighing of the Heart.” 

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 30B from the Papyrus of Ani: β€œO my heart of different ages! Do not stand up as a witness against me, do not be opposed to me in the tribunal, do not be hostile to me in the presence of the keeper of the balance, for you are my ka which was in my body, the protector who made my members hale.” 

Basically, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ feared the outcome of their final judgement so they developed this amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† as a way to ensure a positive outcome to the scales!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Scarabs of Thutmosis III

Look at all π“ŽŸ of these scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ!Β 

Scarabs of Thutmosis III

I love these displays at the MET because they have all π“ŽŸ of the scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ grouped by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh that is inscribed on them! These scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ contain the throne name of the 18th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄠𓋴! I also love tiny things, so these displays are some of my favorites! 

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 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 was fashioned after) was capable of eternal regeneration. 

The god π“ŠΉ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 symbolizes a β€œlife cycle” – birth π“„Ÿ, death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, and then rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± 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).Β 

Scarabs of Thutmosis III
Can you see the throne name (𓇳𓏠𓆣) and variant of Thutmosis III’s throne name (𓇳𓏠𓆣𓂓) in the picture?

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

The most common throne name spelling for Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄠𓋴 is β€œMenkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 translates to β€œLasting is the Manifestation of Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra

𓏠 – Lasting

𓆣 – Manifestation

One of Thutmosis III’s throne name variants appears on one of the scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ- it is rare to see this variant! This throne name variant is β€œMenkhepperkara 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓂓” which translates to β€œLasting is the Manifestation of the Soul of Ra.” I love seeing the variants!Β 

Scarabs of Thutmosis III
Can you spot any of the words in the text below in the picture above?

There are some other common phrases that accompany the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓂓 on these little scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ! See if you can spot them in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏: 

π“ŽŸ – Lord of/Everything/All

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – The Perfect God 

𓏙𓋹 – Given Life

𓆖 – Eternity

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Large Scarab at the British Museum

This is definitely the largest scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 that I have ever seen!Β  I was shocked when I saw just how big it was in the British Museum! I have honestly never seen anything like it in any of the other museums I have visited!

This scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 represented Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓀭. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓀭 the god π“ŠΉ that was associated with the β€œrising of the sun π“…ƒπ“ˆŒπ“π“­π“€­β€ (these hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ translate to β€œsun at dawn”) and thus he is associated with life π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ and rebirth. Scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ were extremely popular as amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, and were considered to have the strongest 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ powers. 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbol is a determinative, ideogram and phonogram symbol! It is associated with the sound αΈ«pr (like β€œKheper”) is also used to write the words “evolve,” β€œmanifestation,” and “become.”

From a geologic perspective, this scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is made of the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ diorite.  Diorite is an intrusive igneous rock (meaning it forms underground from the solidification of magma). Diorite is an extremely durable rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ (one of the strongest found on Earth 𓇾𓇾), and is comparable to granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ in terms of strength and method of formation.  

However, diorite usually doesn’t contain a lot quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™, a very strong 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 mineral which is abundant in granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ, hence the difference between the two 𓏻 rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦. One of the reasons why this scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is so well preserved, is probably due to the strength of the diorite!  Diorite, like granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ, was usually mined by the Egyptians in Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Œ•π“Š–

As you all know, ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– is one of my biggest passions, however I actually have degrees in Earth and Environmental science! I love combining my passions for Egyptian history and geology together π“ˆ–π“Š—! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Heart Scarab

This special amuletΒ π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†Β is known as a Heart Scarab! This particular Heart Scarab belonged to Hatnefer 𓄂𓄀𓁐, who was the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of SenemutΒ π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό! SenemutΒ π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€ΌΒ was Hatshepsut’sΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺΒ most trusted advisor (amongst other things πŸ˜‰)!Β 

Heart Scarab of Hatnefer at the MET

In ancient Egyptian culture, the heart π“‡‹π“ƒ€π“„£ was not only the center of a person’s life π“‹Ή, but also thinking, memory, and moral values. The heart π“‡‹π“ƒ€π“„£ was not removed during the mummification process, because the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 person would need it on their journey through the afterlife π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰. The person’s heart π“‡‹π“ƒ€π“„£ would be weighed against Maat’s π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ feather 𓆄𓏺 by Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, and that would determine if the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and then enter the Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–, or eternal 𓆖 life π“‹Ή. This was called the β€œWeighing of the Heart,” and it is something I have written extensively about!

So how does the Heart Scarab play into this? In modern terms, the Heart Scarab could be seen as a β€œcheat code” for getting past the β€œWeighing of the Heart” – this special scarab π“π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is inscribed π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– with Chapter 30A from the Book of the Dead (most are inscribed with Chapter 30B). In this spell, the deceased π“…“𓏏𓏱 asks their own heart π“‡‹π“ƒ€π“„£ to not betray them during the β€œWeighing of the Heart.” 

Basically, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ feared the outcome of their final judgement so they developed this amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† as a way to ensure a positive outcome to the scales!

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 30A: β€œ Do not stand against me as witness beside the lords of the ritual, Do not say against me, he did do it, about my actions, Do not make a case against me beside the great god, Hail my heart, Hail my heart…”

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Egyptian Artifacts

More Scarabs of Hatshepsut

The MET was an integral part of the excavations of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Deir el-Bahri. During the 1926-1927 dig season, 299 scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ and stamp seals were discovered near the eastern wall of the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰. Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were symbols of regeneration and rebirth.

On the scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, are various inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ with every title/name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Hatshepsut has ever held. These three 𓏼 scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ have her birth name π“‚‹π“ˆ– inscribed π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. Her birth name π“‚‹π“ˆ– cartouche translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.”

If we were to only write the part that translates only to β€œHatshepsut,” her cartouche would look like this: (𓄂𓏏𓀼π“ͺ). Why is Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ mentioned in her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–? By adding Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– to her name, she directly linked herself to the god π“ŠΉ Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–. She claimed that Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ was her father 𓇋𓏏𓀀, thus justifying her right to rule.

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Scarab Amulets of Hatshepsut

Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of the most abundant items excavated in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and I love them! I think they’re cute, but they also hold a lot of meaning for the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ. Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were symbols of regeneration and rebirth, which was one of the main aspects of the religion.

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on these two 𓏻 scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ, while at first glance may look very similar but actually mean different things!

Scarab Amulets of Hatshepsut at the MET

The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 on the left says β€œπ“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ 𓇳𓁦𓂓” which translates to β€œLord of the two lands, Maatkare.” The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 on the right says β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ 𓇳𓁦𓂓” which translates to β€œLady of the two lands, Maatkare.” When a β€œπ“β€ glyph is added to words, it makes the word feminine.

While a very tiny difference, it is interesting because one of the misconceptions about Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ I see a lot was that she was β€œtrying to be a man” – she wasn’t trying to be a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€, she was just traditionally representing herself as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, as all other pharaohs did. The pharaonic representations just tended to have male characteristics because most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were men. Most of her art contains the feminine form of titles in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, which is why I find these two 𓏻 scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ interesting. It’s not common to see her use the male form of words/titles.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Scarabs of Hatshepsut

Here are some more scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ from the MET! The MET has so many of these beautiful π“„€ scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ and I honestly love looking at them! I really like tiny things, so scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ and other amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of my favorite pieces to see in museums!

These two 𓏻 scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ both show Hatshepsut’s throne name Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓 in between the Red Crown of Lower Egypt π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹”. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓 translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Ra.”

The Red Crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹” is also known as the Deshret, which can also translate to β€œred land π“… π“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ.” The word Deshret π“… π“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ referred to both the crown (π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹”) and the desert (π“… π“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ) on either side of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. While the words are written differently in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, they are pronounced the same.

The fertile soil along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί was referred to as Kemet π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, or β€œblack land.”

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Marriage Scarab and Senet

I love this display at the Brooklyn Museum because it’s so blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ – blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ is my favorite color (and it was a favorite of the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ too – for various religious reasons)! Both of these pieces are dated to the reign of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (Dynasty 18).

The first piece is a scarab 𓆣 that is known as a β€œMarriage Scarab,” even though it doesn’t mention marriage! During his reign π“‹Ύ, Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  commissioned the production of her 200 𓏲𓏲 scarabs 𓆣𓆣𓆣 that recorded important events. Fifty-six π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ώ of the scarabs 𓆣𓆣𓆣, like this one pictured, contained information such as Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  complete list of names/titles, the boundaries of the empire and Queen Tiye’s official names and titles/the names of her parents. The mention of Queen Tiye and her relation to Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  is what led Egyptologists to call these the β€œmarriage scarabs.”

Senet π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“  is the world’s oldest board game – there’s evidence of its existence all the way back to the First Dynasty (though this particular board is dated c. 1390-1353 B.C.E.). During the New Kingdom, the game represented the journey of the Ka π“‚“ (soul) to the afterlife/Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. The word β€œSenet” π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“  actually means passage or gateway! If you look really closely, you can see details of the Djed Pillar π“Š½ and the Tyet π“Ž¬ (Isis Knot) painted on the sides!

Senet π“Šƒπ“π“ˆ–π“  is still a game that can be played today, though some of the rules are debatable! I find it so interesting that board games have been around for so long in history! Some things a about humanity have not changed!

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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!