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Note to Readers
This is a copy of the information panels and labels written for the Ashmolean Museums Sackler Gallery of Egyptian Antiquities. It is a searchable PDF file which can be used with the appropriate software. Readers can search any terms of interest to them such as object types, materials, names, and historical periods. The display cases are numbered in order according to their position in the current arrangement of the Sackler Gallery. Cases 34 to 66 are arranged chronologically, beginning with the Early Dynastic Period; cases 67 to 74 house thematic displays on writing, drawing, and daily life in the New Kingdom and the Roman Period. The following abbreviations are used in the provenance information: BSAE the British School of Archaeology in Egypt; EEF the Egypt Exploration Fund (later, Society); ERA the Egyptian Research Account. Museum numbers for the objects are prefixed with AN. Department of Antiquities March 2009
Gallery 4 Petrie Room Gallery 5 Chester Room Gallery 6 Sackler Gallery of Egyptian Antiquities Gallery 7 Griffith Gallery
Jar decorated with grouped commas, and small jar with wavy lines
From grave 1710, Naqada; Naqada IIIa-b
AN1895.615, 621: Flinders Petrie excavations
Burnished bowl; cylinder jar decorated with a scalloped relief band and painted lattice resembling a carrying net; and a spoon of elephant ivory, the handle carved with marching elephants
From grave 460, Naqada; Naqada IIIb-c
AN1895.460, 548, 903: Flinders Petrie excavations
Multiple pot-stand, hand-made, with a rams head, and legs modelled in relief
From grave 115, Naqada; Protodynastic
AN1895.776: Flinders Petrie excavations
Spoon of hippopotamus ivory, the handle carved with a dog and a lion
From Ballas, found by a woman digging for salt; Protodynastic
AN1895.902: gift of Flinders Petrie and the ERA Figure1AN1895.902
Storage jar with an incised V potmark; potstand; and small travertine bowl
From grave 112, Naqada; Naqada IIIa-b
AN1895.667,665,201: Flinders Petrie excavations
Figure2AN1887.2428
10
Seated lion on a plinth, polished red ware This guardian lion, modelled with a mixture of realism and stylization, is a striking example of ceramic sculpture. It was found in a deposit which included a siltstone statue of King Khasekhem of the 2nd Dynasty (the pair to the limestone statue in this Museum), and the copper statues of King Pepi I of the 6th Dynasty (all now in the Cairo Museum)
From the temple enclosure, Hierakonpolis; Old Kingdom (6th Dynasty?)
AN1896-1908 E.189; ERA excavations, 1897-8
Figure3AN18961908E.189
Figure4AN1949.89GiftofNinaDavies
Funerary priest and offerings: tempera copy by Nina Davies of a painting in the mastaba-tomb of the 6th Dynasty official Kaemankh at Giza. Kaemankhs name is written in the top register, below which are offering tables bearing vessels and food including bread, cakes, meat, a goose, and figs. Carved or painted offerings would have been thought to remain perpetually fresh and available, to sustain the dead Take your bread which does not grow mouldy, and your beer which does not go sour (Pyramid Texts).
From grave A.13, Abadiya; Old Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.2898: BSAE excavations, 1899
Ewer of polished red ware; although made to hold water, it was found full of grain
From grave 1085, Qau; 4th Dynasty
AN1923.528: BSAE excavations
10
Figure5Cases34to38
Diorite bowl
AN1896-1908 E.510
Faience tiles from chambers beneath the Step Pyramid of King Djoser. A tenon with holes in the back of the tiles was used to fix them to the chamber walls in multiple rows, creating a shimmering blue frame around reliefs of the king
From the Step Pyramid complex, Saqqara; 3rd
Dynasty
AN1933.1031: A. H. Sayce Bequest; AN1954.670.a, b: Gift of A. H. Gardiner; AN1937.115: MacGregor Bequest; AN1942.480: Gift of Mrs. Woolner
Flint blades and copper tools: an axehead, chisels, engravers, and needles; and a band with holes for attachment
AN1896-1908 E.886-7, 891, 893-5, 897-8, 904, 902
All from tomb K3, for a man named Sa-nakht, Bet Khallaf; 3rd Dynasty. Dagger blade from grave 586, Matmar; 6th Dynasty
ERA excavations, 1901; dagger: Gift of Guy Brunton
Wooden headrest inscribed in black ink with the name and titles of a man named Shepses
From tomb 226, Tarkhan; Old Kingdom
AN1912.601: BSAE and ERA excavations
At el-Kab in southern Egypt, the British archaeologist James Quibell found an intact burial in a pit covered by a large pottery bowl known as a majur in Arabic. Next to the deceased was a decorated, lidded pot containing many small objects 6 Decorated clay pot with lid, two travertine bowls, two shells from the Red Sea, and two ivory bracelets, an ivory disk, a polished pebble, a necklace with carnelian, green steatite, and faience beads, a flint blade, and a green steatite cylinder seal incised with hieroglyphs
From grave 166 at el-Kab; Old Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.1836-9, 1804-6, 1042, 1044, 1046, 3763, EE 89: ERA excavations, 1897
Polished red pot, travertine cylinder vase, diorite bowl, and a polished pebble, steatite cylinder seal, two blue glaze and carnelian necklaces, and a mirror of arsenic-plated copper
From the burial of a woman, grave 3540, Mustagidda; 5th Dynasty
AN1930.514-21: Guy Brunton excavations
Travertine vases, an ivory spatula, and restrung blue glaze and carnelian beads, all found with a female burial in a reed coffin
From grave 5535, Badari; 6th Dynasty
AN1925.440-4, 446-50: BSAE and ERA excavations
Four necklaces with carnelian, gold and blue glaze beads and pendants; a carnelian hand-shaped amulet; an ivory button seal, and gold pendants
From grave 183, Haragah; 6th Dynasty
AN1914.657-9, 661-2, 664-7, AN1957.15: BSAE and ERA excavations Figure6AN1914.662
10
Bone spoon, gold pendant, baked clay bowl, and granite lamp containing the remains of a charred wick
From grave Q 172, Ballas; Old Kingdom
AN1895.895, 994, 996, and 995: Flinders Petrie and ERA excavations
11
12
Figure7AN18961908E.408
13
14
Limestone offering basin. The hieroglyphic inscription is a prayer for offerings for a man named Nebishet, whose title was overseer of the storehouse of the kings meals
From Saqqara; Old Kingdom
AN1969.477: EEF excavations
15
Copper model of an altar, with bowls and tools, including a knife, adze, and axe
AN1896-1908 E.1735-42: EEF excavations, 1898
Figure8AN18961908E.407
Travertine vase
From burial 420, El Mahasna; Old Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.1867: ERA excavations, 1900-1
Travertine vase
From burial 613, for a woman, Qaw; 6th Dynasty
AN1923.642: BSAE excavations
A travertine table, two bowls of diorite and travertine, a travertine cylinder vase sealed with mud, a travertine pot stand, and a travertine vase with handles. Broken before they were placed in the burial, these stone objects were found in fragments between the coffin and the wall of the grave. The finely polished pot stand, which has a raised ring around its middle, may be the only one of its kind
From burial 102, Matmar; 2nd or 3rd Dynasty
AN1931.398-405: Brunton excavations
Diorite bowl
From mastaba A, for a man named Kamenu, El Kab; 4th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.406: ERA excavations, 1897
10
11
Provenance unknown; Old Kingdom
AN1878.193.a: G.J. Chester Collection
12
A diorite-gneiss bowl, a travertine bowl with an interior ridge, and a shallow breccia bowl. All three were found in a burial shaft, along with a stone table and two shells from the Red Sea
From burial 63, El Reqaqna; 3rd Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.487; E.485; E.486: Garstang excavations, 1901-2
13
A breccia vase with tubular handles, a travertine bowl, and three travertine cylinder vessels, which have not been completely drilled inside
From tomb K2, for a man named Sa-nakht, Bet Khallaf; 3rd Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.502-4, E.4087, E.4104: ERA excavations, 1901
Cases 38/39
Old Kingdom 4th8th Dynasties about 25752125 BC Preservation of a dead persons physical image was fundamental to their continuing existence in the afterlife. The mummification and decorated covering of the body was one element in the strategy for bodily survival. Another was the provision of sculpted images which a dead persons spirit or ka could inhabit, and through which the dead could receive food offerings. According to this ideology, presenting incense or food and drink to a statue was futile, unless the image had been through a kind of birth process which enabled it to breathe and feed. The ritual of Opening the Mouth, attested from the Old Kingdom onwards, was the means by which this was accomplished. It included a symbolic parting of the lips which, in later representations, is shown being performed on the dead persons mummy by a funerary priest with a carpenters adze. Both cult statues and images of the dead were subject to this ritual, which seems to have been repeatedly performed, so that they could continue to receive sustenance. Model sets of the vessels and implements needed for the ritual were included in Old Kingdom tombs, perhaps with the same idea of perpetuation. Provision of the food which the dead needed was likewise ensured by means of sculpture. Models of servants who worked on for eternity, grinding corn and mixing dough, would magically ensure that sustenance was available, even if the supply of real offerings should fail.
Head of a life-size statue. The head, badly weathered but retaining traces of red paint, has been roughly cut from the body. The cemetery in which this head and the foot (no. 2) were found had been plundered for reusable wood and linen
From the cemetery at Dishasha; 5th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1950: EEF excavations, 1897
Foot of a statue, plastered and painted wood; made as a separate piece for attachment by means of a peg to the leg of a statue of a man
From Dishasha; 5th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1970: EEF excavations, 1897
Statue of a man wearing a kilt; the weathered wood retains traces of plaster and paint
From Dishasha; late 6th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1881: EEF excavations, 1897
Wooden statues from the grave of Nebemhenennesu Two plastered and painted statues of Nebemhenennesu, whose name and titles royal noble, overseer of craftsmen are painted on the base
AN1921.1418-19
Models of food preparation: a woman grinding corn on a saddle-quern; a man kneading dough on a board (the tool in his hand is lost); a woman preparing dough for beer-making in a bowl; and a man preparing a cake of dough
AN1921.1420-23
Figure9AN1921.141819
Statuettes and model funerary equipment Travertine statue of a seated woman; painted ivory statuette of a man; and a limestone tray holding models of the vessels and implements required for the Opening of the Mouth ritual vases and cups for oil and incense, a forked flint knife (missing), and a pair of flint blades
From grave E 21, Abydos; 6th Dynasty
AN1910.486-8: EEF excavations
Large storage jar, the mouth covered with cloth, tied with string, and sealed with a lump of clay bearing a seal impression. On the outside, the remains of a rope carrying-net; inside, the residue of a small amount of liquid
From tomb 67, Beni Hasan; 9th10th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2525: John Garstang excavations, 1902-4 Figure11AN18961908 E.2525,detail
Jar with quatrefoil rim, decorated with painted dots and zigzags
From grave 528, Qau; 9th Dynasty
AN1923.585: BSAE and ERA excavations
Bowl of white marl clay, and a small jar with the clay crudely cut around the lower half, pierced with two holes below the rim
From Ballas, North Town; 1st Intermediate Period
AN1895.674, 788A: ERA excavations
Miniature stela of painted limestone, showing the deceased man, Sisebek, seated before a table laden with food offerings. Under the table are sealed wine-jars in wooden stands
From el-Lahun, town site; 12th Dynasty
AN1889.1550: Flinders Petrie excavations, gift of H.M.Kennard
Bowl with a crinkled rim decorated with red slip and black paint, probably derived from a Minoan prototype
From grave 326, Haraga; Middle Kingdom
AN1914.684: BSAE and ERA excavations
Jars of marl clay, one with a broken rim, the other with incised potmarks
From graves 108 and 44, el-Kab; 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2082, 2088: ERA excavations, 1897
AN1913.502: BSAE and ERA excavatons
Jar with incised lines, coloured red over rim and neck; tall jar with a flat ring base and red and black decoration around the neck
From graves 326 and 327, Haraga; 12th Dynasty
AN1914.689-90: BSAE and ERA excavations
Small jar of marl clay with incised decoration and four holes pierced below the rim, and a jar with incised wavy lines and two holes
From graves 26 and 76, el-Kab; 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2025, E.2114: ERA excavations, 1897
Tall pottery stand (rim missing) to hold a dish, decorated with an applied figure of a man
From Beni Hasan; 9th11th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2527: Garstang excavations, 1902-4
Figure12AN1971.950
10
Pottery flasks with undulating necks, with red wash and red slip, and a flask decorated with incised lines
From grave 10, el-Kab; 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2096-7, 2019: ERA excavations, 1897
11
Juglet of Tell el-Yahudiyeh ware (restored) with white-filled impressed and incised decoration
From grave 354, Haraga; Middle Kingdom
AN1914.644: BSAE and ERA excavations
12
13
14
Faience kohl-pot
From grave 1648, Hammamiya; 9th10th Dynasty
AN1923.489: BSAE and ERA excavations
15
16
17
Kohl-pot with an integral stand, serpentine, and obsidian kohl-pot with a haematite stick, capped with gold
From graves E 231 and E 234, Abydos; 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2200-02: ERA excavations, 1900
18
Oval bread mould with incised decoration, red-coated ware with some white decoration
From grave E 325, Abydos; Middle Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.2279: ERA excavations, 1900
Wooden headrest, the headpiece carved in the shape of a pair of cupped hands
From grave 86, Haraga; 1st Intermediate Period
AN1914.673: ERA and BSAE excavations
Figure13AN1914.673
Necklace of black faience and shell beads, with carnelian and gold amulets
From grave 87, Mahasna; 7th9th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.E.458: Garstang excavations, 1901
Five gold amulets in the shape of the god Heh; two carnelian leg amulets, placed at the ankles; gold beads with amulets; glazed steatite stamp-seal in the form of a frog
From grave 1981, Hammamiya; 7th8th Dynasty
AN1924.381, 378, 382.a: BSAE and ERA excavations
Figure14AN1924.381
Figure15AN1924.378
Travertine vase; two gold bracelets; gold beads and Heh amulet; carnelian necklace
From grave 7762 (burial of a child), Qau; 7th8th Dynasty
AN1924.369-373: BASE and ERA excavations
Figure16AN1924.3701
Travertine vases; fragmentary flint blade; travertine kohl-pot; bronze blade; flint knife; carnelian and faience beads
From the tomb of Intefiker, Dendera; 11th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1955-6, 1959-60; 1964, 1957, AN1896-1908 E.E.15960, 199: EEF excavations, 1898
Travertine miniature vases; travertine kohlpot with contents; gold, carnelian and green faience beads; carnelian and black faience beads; copper model adze blade
From grave Y250, Hu; 10th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1773-5, 1777, AN1896-1908 E.E.462-3: EEF excavations, 1898-9
Faience beads in the form of fists, hippopotamus heads, tjet-knots, and flies. These formed part of two strings of amulets found around the head of a child. Blue and black faience beads; blue and black faience beads decorated with crumbs of blue faience
From graves 306 and 401, Matmar; from grave 2080, Qau; 7th8th Dynasty
AN1931.256-9, 261: Brunton excavations; 1924.385: BSAE and ERA Excavations
Travertine miniature vases; pink limestone vase; two scarab-seals; gold bracelet; strings of faience, carnelian and shell beads and amulets
From grave 5207, Badari; 9th10th Dynasty
AN1924.341-3, 344.a-b, 353, 355-7: BSAE and ERA excavations
Five necklaces; two bead bracelets or anklets, and an anklet with a carnelian leg pendant; two copper catches and faience inlays from a decayed wooden box; copper
mirror disc, found in the box; limestone headrest, repaired in antiquity; two travertine vases; gold beads and amulets; a quartzite grinder
From grave 1316 (burial of an old woman), Matmar; 7th 8th Dynasty
AN1932.935-6, 938-9, 937, 940-2, 934, 933, 932, 931, 928-9, 943, 930: Brunton excavations
10
11
12
13
Figure17Cases4146
Statuette of the steward SenwosretSenbebu, son of Ankhti-en-Mentu. On the back of this statuette, which is made of igneous rock, a hieroglyphic inscription identifies SenwosretSenbebu and his mother.
Probably from Thebes; early 13th Dynasty
AN1888.1457: Chambers Hall gift, 1855
Figure18AN1888.1457
Yellow sandstone statuette of three people. On the left is the attendant Neferpesed, son of Sit-Hathor, in the middle is a woman named Dedetnub, and on the right is her son, the attendant Kemau
From mastaba D 109-11, Abydos; late 12th or 13th Dynasty
AN1913.411: EEF excavations, 1913
Figure19AN1913.411
Two wooden statuettes, representing men with clean-shaven heads. One had moveable arms that were made separately and attached at the shoulder with a thin dowel
From a tomb at Deir el-Bahri, Thebes; early 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.4163-4: EEF excavations, 1907
Female figurines were placed in both male and female tombs. In contrast to representations of elite women, these figurines have loose or plaited hair instead of elaborate wigs, and their breasts and genitals are revealed. They symbolized fertility and rebirth 8 Statuettes of women, steatite and painted limestone
Naked women: possibly from Asyut (limestone), and provenance unknown (steatite); Middle Kingdom
AN1892.1013: G.J. Chester Collection; AN1891.91: G.J. Chester Collection
Two clay figurines, with holes for insertion of hair and jewellery
From Gebelein (left) and the tomb of Idu II, Dendera; Middle Kingdom
AN1890.330: G.J. Chester Collection; AN1896-1908 E.1920: EEF excavations, 1898
10
Two wooden statuettes of women, one with a peg for attaching hair separately
From Thebes (left) and Akhmim; Middle Kingdom
AN1892.850 and AN1888.533: G.J. Chester Collection
Women from the upper classes wore long, tight dresses and heavy wigs. Some were honoured with their own statues, but more often they appeared
with a male relative. 11 Serpentine statuette of Hety, daughter of Neferu, dedicated by her son Renefseneb
Provenance unknown; late 12th or 13th Dynasty
AN1985.152
Figure20AN1985.152
12
13
14
Images of non-Egyptians gave an exotic appearance to objects like this faience seal and an ivory spoon handle depicting a Nubian woman and child
From el-Kab (seal) and grave 521, Dendera (spoon handle); 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1807: ERA excavations, 1897; AN1896-1908 E.1803: EEF excavations, 1898
Small figures of animals, which had religious associations, could be buried with the dead 15 Limestone statuette of three monkeys
From burial 1, el-Kab; 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2135: ERA excavations, 1897
Egyptian children in elite families often wore a braid on the right side of the head, known as a Horus lock after the god Horus. On images of children who had died, the lock might have protected the deceased. 16 Limestone statuette of a boy in a short kilt
From burial Y 471, Hu; 17th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1968: EEF excavations, 1899
Figure21AN18961908 E.3788
17
Limestone statue of Mentuhotep and Nefermesut, found in their mastaba tomb. Inscriptions on the sides of the statue pray for Mentuhotep (the man) to be honoured before the god Osiris, and Nefermesut before the goddess Hathor
From Dendera; 11th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.1971: EEF excavations, 1898 Figure22AN18961908 E.1971
18
19
An intact tomb at Abydos Tomb E3, with several burials of children and adults, was one of the largest tombs excavated by the Egyptologist John Garstang at Abydos. Each undisturbed burial included beads, kohl-pots, and palettes for grinding eyepaint. Sometimes a mirror was placed in front of the face, wrapped in cloth to hide or protect the polished surface.
Faience staff head and kohl-pot, and three vases of travertine, serpentine, and faience
AN1896-1908 E.2172, 2160, 2171, 2189, 2176
3 4
Ivory box decorated with a snake and protective gods, and two faience necklaces
AN1896-1908 E.2169, AN1896-1908 E.E.478, AN1896-1908 E.E.480
Eight kohl-pots of travertine, serpentine, steatite, and pale blue anhydrite, and two travertine vases
AN1896-1908 E.2170-71, 2173-4, 2187, 2190, 2159, 2175, 2188, 2142, 2185
Quartzite grinder and silver disk, on which grains of eyepaint were found, two lids of sandstone and limestone, serpentine palettes and pestles, for mixing eyepaint, and two spatulas made of bone and siltstone
AN1896-1908 E. 2163-4, 2167-8, 2177-81, 2184, 2165-6
Connections between Egypt and Crete Tomb 416 consisted of six burial shafts, which were damaged when the walls between them collapsed. Discovered in 1907, the tomb was an important source for the chronology of the Minoan culture of ancient Crete, because the grave goods include a Minoan jar imported to Egypt and two cylinder seals inscribed with the names of the 12th Dynasty kings Senwosret II, Senwosret III, and Amenemhat III. 8 Bridge-spouted, decorated pottery jar from Crete, an example of Classical Kamares ware from the Middle Minoan period (restored)
AN1896-1908 E.3295
Figure23AN18961908E.3295
Bronze mirror with serpentine handle, clay pot and steatite vase with lid. The mirror surface has traces of cloth on one side and hair on the other, from being wrapped in cloth and placed near the head of the deceased
AN1896-1908 E.3283, 3301, 3296
10
Three travertine kohl pots, two bone hairpins, limestone palette for eyepaint, and faience necklace
AN1896-1908 E.3271-3, 3290-1, 3284, AN1896-1908 E.E.628
11
Faience figurines of a hedgehog, lion, and baboon; two faience vases; fragments of a vase and bowl
AN1896-1908 E.3274-5, 3299; 3276-8; 3280
Figure24AN18961908E.3274
Figure25AN18961908E.3299
12
Man playing a stringed instrument, and two men wrestling; limestone statuettes with painted details
AN1896-1908 E.3298, 3297
Figure26AN18961908E.3297
13
Steatite palette and pestle, and beads of carnelian, garnet, amethyst, and faience
AN1896-1908 E.3300, AN1896-1908 E.E.679
14
Two cylinder seals with the names of 12th Dynasty kings, and beads of carnelian, garnet, amethyst, and faience
AN1896-1908 E.4249-50, AN1896-1908 E.E.630-1
Stela of Khent-ekhtay-emhat Khent-ekhtay-emhat was a temple official who dedicated this stela at Abydos
in order to honour Osiris and be close to the gods cult. The limestone stela depicts Khent-ekhtay-emhat at the left, with his arm raised as if he were addressing an audience. The nineteen lines of hieroglyphs are a hymn to Osiris, which reads in part: Praising of Osiris, recited by the Attendant of the Chamber of henket offerings, Khent-ekhtay-emhat, justified. He says: Hail to you, Osiris, foremost of the Westerners, On this beautiful day when you have arisen. ...Revered in the hearts of men, gods, the blessed, and the dead, ...Greatly beloved upon the earth, ...Great of appearances in Abydos, Who has been justified before (his father) Geb and the Nine Gods ...Because of the magnitude of the reverence for you. Such is Osiris, the heir of Geb, sovereign of the gods, Power of heaven, prince of the living, And king of those who are in the beyond.
From Abydos; late 12th Dynasty or 13th Dynasty
Queens College Loan.1109
Headpiece for the mummy of a woman Found, together with a sandal, in a grave which contained no body or coffin, it seems that this headpiece was ever used. As a result, it has survived better than others from the same cemetery which has been placed over mummies buried with wooden coffins, all of which had been affected by damp. The headpiece is made of cartonnage formed of linen and plaster. A curious feature is the sand adhering to the painted surface, which suggests that it was dropped into the empty grave while the decoration was still wet
From grave 2114, Sidmant; late 1st Intermediate Period
AN1921.1435, from Petries excavations
Figure27AN1921.1435
Painted clay rattle with a baboon head. Seeds or clay pellets move inside if the rattle is shaken
AN1896-1908 E.2240
Two ivory wands incised with protective animals and knife-wielding deities
AN1896-1908 E.2223-4
All from tomb D 79, Abydos; late Middle Kingdom or 2nd Intermediate Period EEF excavations, 1901
5 6
Copper mirrors
AN1913.400, 409
Blue anhydrite bowl, travertine kohl pot with lid, shell-shaped electrum pendant, and silver ring with rotating faience scarab
AN1913.410, 401, 407, 406
Serpentine vase, faience vase, and faience statuette of the god Horus
From grave E 303, Abydos; late Middle Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.2153, 2198-9: ERA excavations, 1900
Five travertine vases, travertine kohlpot, and serpentine shabti inscribed for the superintendent of the Delta, Nakht. This is an early example of the mummiform statuettes placed in burials to perform manual labour for the deceased in the afterlife
AN1896-1908 E.2122-6, 2129, 2128
10
Faience cylinder, and faience necklace with a gold, turquoise, and carnelian pendant in the shape of a shen-ring, the hieroglyphic sign for eternity
AN1896-1908 E.E.472
Figure28AN18961908E.E.472
All from the burial of Nakht, grave E 105, Abydos; 12th Dynasty
ERA excavations, 1900
11
Two faience cylinders; bronze mirror with wooden handle; serpentine palette and grinder; travertine vase; blue anhydrite kohl-pot; and two kohl-sticks of wood and faience
AN1896-1908 E.2149-50, 2140, 2131, 2137-9, 1751
12
Amethyst necklace; gold pendants in the form of falcons, fish, and beak-to-beak birds; and two strings of garnet and carnelian beads, with pendants of jasper, feldspar, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and faience. The amethyst necklace was wrapped around the neck of the deceased, the gold pendants lay on the chest, and the garnet and carnelian beads encircled the wrists
AN1896-1908 E.4238, E.4240, E.4243-4, E.4241-2
The burial of Senebhenaf in tomb D 25 at Abydos dates to the end of the Middle Kingdom or the 2nd Intermediate Period. His wooden coffin was discovered in fragments, due to damage from ants and woodworm. The burial included one canopic jar to hold the internal organs removed from the mummy 13 Canopic jar with human-headed lid. Pottery decorated with paint; the yellow and wavy red stripes imitate a stone vessel, and the hieroglyphic inscription, written in blue, names Senebhenaf s father Sa-amun and his mother Ib-iaw
AN1896-1908 E.3541
14
coated in plaster and inscribed in red and blue on a yellow background. The hieroglyphic signs representing birds and animals have been drawn without any legs, to prevent them from magically coming to life and moving around
AN1896-1908 E.1952.a-c
15
Fragment of painted wood with faience inlay, perhaps from the beard of a coffin or mummy mask
AN1896-1908 E.3519
16
Mourning woman, on a fragment from a painted wooden coffin. Female mourners performed ritual laments at funerals, just as the goddesses Isis and Nephthys had mourned their brother Osiris
AN1896-1908 E.1953
All from tomb D 25, for a man named Senebhenaf, Abydos; late Middle Kingdom or 2nd Intermediate Period
EEF excavations, 1900
Figure30Cases44to46
Model granary, filled with emmer wheat, barley, and tiger nuts Inside the granary are two labourers and two scribes. Emmer wheat and barley were the chief grain crops, used to make both bread and beer. Tiger nuts are a sweet-tasting tuber from the sedge plant
From the tomb of Khety, Beni Hasan 575; 11th or 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2310: John Garstang excavations, 1903
Figure32AN18961908E.2310
Figure33AN1890.657
Model bakery, painted wood Two women grind grain and a third tends a small oven, while a man standing at a waist-high workspace makes flat loaves of bread dough
From tomb 420, Beni Hasan ; 11th or 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2305: Garstang excavations, 1903
Models of offering bearers: a dwarf balancing a package on his head, and a young woman carrying a basket; painted wood and linen
From the tomb of Khety, Beni Hasan 575; 11th or 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2308 and E.2306: Garstang excavations, 1903
Model showing baking, brewing, and butchering activities; painted wood In addition to the milling of grain and brewing of beer, this model shows a calf being held down with its legs tied together while a butcher slits its throat. Although meat was expensive, Egyptians ate beef as well as duck, goose, and fish from the Nile
From the tomb of Khety, Beni Hasan 575; 11th or 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2312: Garstang excavations, 1903 Figure34AN18961908E.2312
Painted details on the wooden coffin of Nefru, including granaries, a scribal palette, tools, basketry, and weapons
Tempera copy by Nina Davies of the coffin of Nefru, from her tomb at Deir el-Bahri (TT 318), 11th Dynasty
AN1939.587: gift of Nina Davies
Case 46/47
1st Intermediate Period to Middle Kingdom 9th13th Dynasties about 21251640 BC
Model boats
Boats were the principal means of travel in ancient Egypt. The river Nile served as a highway along which boatmen could row northwards with the current, or sail south with the prevailing wind. The representation of boats in the tomb was intended to ensure the mobility of the dead person in the next life, but boats also had specific funerary meanings. In an ideal funeral, the last voyage of an Egyptian was the transport of the mummy from the east bank of the Nile to the west, the territory of the dead. Within their lifetimes, Egyptians aspired to make the pilgrimage by boat to Abydos in Upper Egypt, to visit the sacred area belonging to the god Osiris, who ruled the Underworld. The journey of the sun itself was envisaged as a voyage from east to west during daylight, then a night-time crossing through the Underworld to emerge again at dawn in the east. Even the game of senet, being played aboard one of the models displayed here, could have a funerary meaning: the players progress via the hazardous moves of the gaming pieces was like the passage of the deceased through the dangerous points in the Underworld. The boats shown here are made of plastered and painted wood, with linen used for the sails and the crews clothing. Such models were included in large numbers in elite tombs of the 1st Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom. A full set would include boats being rowed (for travel north) and under sail (for travel south).
Model of a funeral boat Four mourners sit beside the mummy, which is sheltered by a canopy. Behind the lookout man, four crew members hoist the sail; a set of oars is lashed to the gunwales. The piece of wood attached to the prow like a bow-strip may have served to take the mooring-rope. This is one of two funeral boats from the tomb of the Overseer of Land, Ma; the other was a rowing boat.
From tomb no.500, Beni Hasan; 12th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2296, from Garstangs excavations, 1902-4
Figure35AN18961908E.2296
Model of a military transport boat One of four boats from the tomb of a man named Tjau. In addition to the crew, the figures on board include a bowman standing beside the lookout man. Fixed to the canopy over the deck are animal-hide shields, and a bowcase lies under the canopy. In front, two officers sit playing senet (passing: a board-game similar to modern draughts). The helsman sits at the stern beside the large steering-oar
From tomb no.186, Beni Hasan; 9th11th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2301, from Garstangs excavations, 1902-4
Figure36AN18961908E.2301
Large bowl of incised black ware, filled with fat and sherds; small bowl with punctuate decoration; and kohl-pots of breccia and blue
anhydrite
From grave X 36, Hu; 2nd Intermediate Period
AN1896-1908 E.2016, 2029-30, 2037, 2214: EEF excavations, 1899
Horn of an oryx (Oryx beisa), pierced with holes as though to make a flute
From Hu; 2nd Intermediate Period
AN1896-1908 E.1922: EEF excavations, 1899
Copper snake; similar examples in extended form have been identified as magic wands, but the bent shape of this one suggests it may have been worn as a neck ornament
From grave Y.458, Hu; 2nd Intermediate Period
AN1896-1908 E.1907: EEF excavations, 1899
Jewellery and other goods from the burial of an adolescent boy Found beside the head: pottery jar containing pieces of bone and other residue, remnants of rope network outside; copper axehead, and Spatha shell containing eyepaint (1930.492-4) Found on the body: silver torc and beads on the neck, beads on the elbows, shell bracelets, glazed blue beads around the waist, and bead anklets
AN1930.492-4, 1930.495, 504, 506-9, 511, 501, 499, 502, and 498 All from grave M 3170, Mostagedda; 2nd Intermediate Period Guy Brunton excavations
Faience pot stand and pottery bowl From grave 1303, Qau; 2nd Intermediate Period
AN1923.560-61: BSAE and ERA excavations
10
11
12
13
14
Flasks, one with incised decoration and applied knobs, one with an undulating neck
From graves E159 and 21E, Esna; 2nd Intermediate Period
AN1896-1908 E.754, 782: ERA excavations
15
Juglet of Tell el-Yahudiyeh ware, decorated jug, pot stand of red ware
From grave 37, Tell el-Yahudiyeh; 2nd Intermediate Period
AN1896-1908 E.3499, 3491, 3536: BSAE and ERA excavations
16
17
18
Vessels of Tell el-Yahudiyeh ware Juglet in the shape of a double duck body with a single head
Provenance unknown; 2nd Intermediate Period.
AN1971.946: ex Bomford Collection
Jug with white-filled incised decoration including spirals, made of Nile clay
Provenance unknown; 2nd Intermediate Period.
AN1896-1908 C.96: G.J. Chester Collection
19
20
21
typical designs an ibex, illegible hieroglyphs, a bird with solar symbols, and coiled rope pattern; scarab-seals of glazed steatite with the names of Hyksos rulers Sheshi, Sekhaenre Yakbim, and Yakbim
From graves 1 and 6, Tell el-Yahudiyeh; 2nd Intermediate Period
AN1896-1908 E.E.634-5 and 637-8: BSAE and ERA excavations
Figure37Cases48to50
Two pottery juglets, one imported from Greece (Mycenaean IIIA), the other from Cyprus or the Levant
From graves 53 (left) and 1289, Sidmant; 2nd Intermediate Period or 18th Dynasty
AN1921.1436.a, 1392: BSAE and ERA excavations
Vase imported from Crete (Late Minoan IB), and a handle decorated in similar style
From grave 137, Sidmant (vase) and probably from Sidmant (handle); early 18th Dynasty.
AN1921.1342-42.a: BSAE and ERA excavations; EEF excavations
Figure38AN1921.1342
AN1927.1390: BSAE and ERA excavations
Two pottery jars, a travertine kohl-pot, two travertine ear studs, and pottery model boat with miniature pots
From grave 1806, Abydos; late 17th or early 18th Dynasty
AN1926.159, 161-2, 172, 173.a-b, 169, 164-5, 167: BSAE and ERA excavations
8 9
Wooden throwstick
AN1890.831
Faience bead incised with a god; two scarabs and a gold ring with a scarab; faience seal with the names of King Thutmose II; gold earrings; faience leopard heads used as necklace terminals; and a necklace of beads and scarabs
AN1890.771, 777-8, 764, 784-5, 787.a, AN1912.155
Figure39AN1890.764;detailofseal
10
Two travertine vases and an ivypatterned juglet imported from Greece (Late Mycenaean II)
AN1890.812, 867, 822 Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
11
12
Figure41AN1890.823
13
Bronze mirror; wooden comb; a pumice stone; faience beads; stone bowl; a shell from the Red Sea; three kohl-pots of wood, travertine, and serpentine; bronze and wood kohl-sticks; two wooden kohl-tubes; and a bronze knife and two whetstones
AN1890.792-3, 790-91, 798-99, 806, 808, 814, 820, 824, 8267, 885, AN1896-1908 E.E. 531
All from the tomb of Maket at el-Lahun; early 18th Dynasty Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
14
Five pottery vases and a lid; two spindle bottles inspired by Syrian pottery forms; and four bowls, all of local manufacture
AN1890.882, 875, 863, 848, 849, 846, 860, 852, 840-3, and 878
15
Three wooden headrests. The headrest in the middle has ivory inlays, and the headrest in front could be folded in half for storage or travelling
AN1890.828-30
16
17
18
Four pottery juglets, one with a double body; imported from Cyprus (Late Cypriote I)
AN1890.855, 857, 887, 861
From the tomb of Maket at el-Lahun; early 18th Dynasty
Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Bronze axehead, inscribed with the name of Ahmose, successor of Kamose and founder of the 18th Dynasty
Possibly from a tomb at Dra abu el-Naga, Western Thebes; 18th Dynasty
AN1927.4623: John Evans Collection
Figure43AN1927.4623
Two wooden cramps, inscribed with the names of Seti I. These were used to strengthen the joints between blocks of stone; the powerful name of the king gave further protection
From the cenotaph of Seti I, Abydos; 19th Dynasty
AN1933.1447, 1448: Sayce Bequest
Part of the royal titulary of Thutmose II, from the back pillar of a peridotite statue
Probably from Medinet Habu, Western Thebes; 18th Dynasty
AN1965.881: G. J. Chester Collection
Hatshepsut and Deir el-Bahri After the death of Thutmose II, his wife Hatshepsut first acted as regent for her stepson, Thutmose III, then declared herself ruler. In the eighth year of her reign she began construction of her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri, situated next to that of King Nebhepetre Mentuhotep, the most significant monument on the west bank at Thebes. She also moved the local cult of Hathor from the older shrine to her own. By appropriating and surpassing the past, she hoped to legitimize her usurpation of the throne 5 Limestone block. The carved and painted decoration forms a rebus of one.of Hatshepsuts names, Maatkare: the horned sun-disk can be read Re, the uraeus-serpent Maat, the upraised arms ka. After Hatshepsuts death, an attempt was made to remove all memory of her rule from history. By chiselling out the ka sign, her name was made illegible and she would be denied sustenance in the afterlife
AN1896-1908 E.4303: EEF excavations, 19067
Figure44AN1961.399
Objects from a foundation deposit The objects displayed here come from one of the 16 deposits placed in the foundations of Hatshepsuts temple at Deir el-Bahri, Western Thebes. The construction of a new temple was accompanied by many rituals, beginning with the marking-out of the site. Foundation deposits were placed at the corners of the structure, and also at significant points within it. These typically consisted of food, pottery and stone vessels, jewellery, amulets, and model building tools. Many objects were inscribed with the name of the temples royal founder 8 Travertine vase and lid; model adze of wood, copper and rawhide; wooden model adze, representing the hieroglyphic sign setep; wooden model of a rocker for moving stone blocks; wooden model hoe; basketwork pot stand; reed mat, one of several used to cover the pottery in the deposit. Some of these objects are inscribed with the name of Hatshepsut beloved of Amun of Djeserdjeseru (the name of her temple at Deir el-Bahri)
From Deir el-Bahri; 18th Dynasty
AN1895.146-49, 150-52: EEF excavations
Pottery bowl with white dots, and a travertine vase with one handle
From grave E 187, Abydos; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2446, 2345: ERA excavations, 1900
Vase in the form of a pouncing lion, moulded pottery with painted details
From tomb D 9, Abydos; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2440: EEF excavations, 1900 o
Decorated pottery juglet of Mycenaean IIIA type, and a double vase, made of two pieces of pottery joined before firing
From grave 20, Rifa; 18th Dynasty
AN1909.130, 126: BSAE and ERA excavations, 1907
Pottery vase in the form of a resting ibex, serpentine vase, and green jasper kohl-pot
From grave 1910, Hammamiya; 18th Dynasty
AN1924.416, 414-5: BSAE and ERA excavations
Flask with hinged lid, made of a tin and lead alloy similar to pewter
From grave G 70, Abydos; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2442: EEF excavations, 1902
Figure45AN18961908E.2442
Pottery vases in the form of a female offering bearer, who carries a lidded basket, and a kneeling woman; two painted pottery vases; and a complex vase made as a ring with several small vases opening into the top
AN1896-1908 E.2431-5
Figure46AN18961908E.2432
Vase in the form of a calf, and upper part of a vase in the shape of a woman; moulded and fired pottery
From grave D 29D, Abydos; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2670, 2669: EEF excavations, 1900
Figure47AN18961908E.2670
10
Vase in the form of a hedgehog, red polished pottery with painted details; fragment of stone bowl incised with lotuses
AN1896-1908 E.2775-6
Figure48AN18961908E.2775
Travertine vase, juglet, and kohl-pot; limestone kohl-pot; steatite kohl-pot with monkey
AN1896-1908 E.2770-4
11
Pottery vase with a coating of plaster and Pistacia resin, inscribed in hieratic, words spoken by Nekhunefer.
Probably from the tomb of Iuya and Tuya, Thebes; 18th Dynasty
AN1955.462: Gift of M. Cassirer
12
Spindle vase and two flasks with handles. The square shape of one flask imitates a leather pouch.
AN1896-1908 E.2410, 2404-5
13
Vase in the form of a naked woman, and a frog-shaped vase; moulded pottery
AN1896-1908 E.2426-8
14
Three decorated pottery vases, pottery vase with two handles, serpentine vase with wooden stopper, and the double neck of a decorated vase
AN1896-1908 E.2407, 2416, 2418, 2415, 2424, 2428
15
Faience bowl decorated with lotus blossoms, wooden bowl, and part of a limestone bowl with residue from a scented resin inside
AN1896-1908 E.2412, 2421, 2411
16
Pottery drinking cup with a handle; lid from a small basket; limestone kohl-pot and wooden kohl-stick; and wooden lid in the shape of a trussed duck, from a cosmetic dish; limestone kohl-pot with a fish incised on its lid; and a reed basket
AN1921.1284, 1271, 1292, 1288, 1270, 1266, 1269
17
Duck head and wing from the lid of a cosmetic dish, wood with ivory inlay; and fragment of a fish-shaped vase, moulded pottery with painted details. The fishs open mouth becomes a lotus blossom, which was the spout of the vase
AN1921.1269, 1291
All from the burial of the scribe Men-kheper, Sidmant 263; 18th Dynasty
BSAE and ERA excavations
18
Two Egyptian copies of Cypriot basering juglets, in red polished ware, and a travertine juglet in the same form
From Medinet Ghurab (pottery) and Saqqara (travertine); 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2455-6: ERA excavations, 1904; AN1886.113: G. J. Chester Collection
Faience beads: menit-necklace, with fishshaped beads; string of melon beads; six strings of beads
AN1896-1908 E.E.641-42, 238
4 5
Model grinders in travertine and sandstone, inscribed with the name of Thutmose III beloved of Min of Koptos
AN1896-1908 E.4296, 4295
Travertine vase and bowl, inscribed with the name of Thutmose III; faience model fig
AN1896-1908 E.4293-94, 4532
Complex clay vase made of five joined vessels, painted and decorated with cows, scorpions, and breasts
AN1896-1908 E.4291
Metal objects: copper adze, knife, and axehead, inscribed with the name of Thutmose III; bronze arrowheads; bronze chisels.
AN1896-1908 E.4297, 4299, 4298, 4533-4534, 4535-4538, 4639
10
The minerals of the Sinai peninsula were exploited from the Early Dynastic Period onwards, first at Wadi Maghara. Once this site was exhausted during the Middle Kingdom, mines were opened at Serabit el-Khadim, and a temple erected there to Hathor. This was not built to the typically rigid plan of most Egyptian shrines, but took the form of a long series of small chambers, added to by each mining expedition 11 Column capital in the shape of a Hathor head, made of local sandstone
Probably early Middle Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.3942
12
Faience votive offerings; fragments of plaques depicting spotted cats; plaque with a Hathor head; bowl fragments with running ibexes and the forepart of a griffin; fragments of model throwsticks, inscribed
13
14 15
Pottery crucible fragment with a residue left from copper smelting, and a lump of slag, a by-product of copper smelting
AN1896-1908 E.4484A, 4484
16
Faience sistrum handle, inscribed with the name of Thutmose III; faience head of a cat
New Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.4462A, AN1911.614
17
Faience bowl fragment, decorated in black with lotus flowers and deer
New Kingdom
AN1912.57
18
Travertine vessels: fragments with the names of Ahmose Nefertari and Thutmose I; vase in the form of the god Bes, with cartouches of Ramesses II; fragment of a vessel in the form of a hippopotamus or bull, with cartouches of Merenptah, vase in the form of a dwarf carrying a vessel
New Kingdom
AN1911.408, 409, 406, 411, 407
19
Fragments of votive statues, dedicated by members of mining expeditions. Some are carved from the local sandstone, but others are of higher quality and must have been made in Egypt before the expedition set out. Royal statues were also discovered in the temple
Middle Kingdom to New Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.4471-72
14 and 15 from Wadi Maghara; all other objects from the Temple of Hathor, Serabit el- Khadim
EES excavations, 1905
20
Travertine lotus chalice, restored, and a fragment of another. Both are inscribed with the names of pharaoh Amenhotep III,
and a dedication to Hathor, Mistress of Turquoise. The horizontal line of hieroglyphs at the bottom records that the chalices were offered by the treasury scribe Panehesy, who led a mining expedition to Sinai in year 36 of Amenhoteps reign
From the Temple of Hathor at Serabit el-Khadim; 18th Dynasty
AN1911.414, 413.a: Petrie excavations, 1904-5
Figure49Cases49to52
Small votive stelae of steatite and painted limestone, carved with ears to ensure that the donors prayer would be heard; and a miniature stela painted with a figure of the god Ptah
Provenance unknown; New Kingdom
AN1983.185: ex Wellcome Collection
Figure50AN1892.1093
Votive models in faience: ears, eyes, Hathor heads, a Hathor cows head, a fragmentary terracotta of a woman breastfeeding, and a fragmentary faience bowl showing a donor
From the temple of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep, Deir el-Bahri; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2731, 2735, 2737, 2739, 2741-2, 2762, 871: EEF excavations, 1904
Stela of painted limestone, showing an unidentified couple adoring The Cat of the god Re, and The Great Cat, the peaceful one, in his perfect name of Atum two aspects of the same solar divinity.
From Deir el-Medina; 19th Dynasty
AN1961.232: ex Armytage Collection
Figure51AN1961.232
Pottery jar, probably for milk, with applied modelled decoration: a Hathor face, and arms holding breasts
From Qurna; 18th Dynasty
AN1892.1066: G.J. Chester Collection
Figure52AN1892.1066
The royal family worshipping the Aten: fragment of limestone column showing Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Princess Meretaten offering to the sun-disk
From the Great Palace, el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1893.1-41 (75): Flinders Petrie excavations
Figure53AN1893.141(75)
Bronze situla for liquid offerings, inscribed with the names of the god ReHarakhte, and Akhenaten
From the Great Temple, el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1927.4104: EES excavations
Bronze tongs in the shape of hands, and a fragmentary pottery bowl containing lumps of incense (Pistacia resin) mixed with charcoal
From el-Amarna, Main City (tongs) and vicinity of the Great Temple (bowl); 18th Dynasty
AN1924.84, AN1893.1-41 (397), EES and Flinders Petrie excavations Figure54AN1924.84
Oracular petitions inscribed in hieratic on limestone ostraca; the smaller ostracon asks As for the dreams one shall see, will they be good? and the reverse side has a drawing of an eye. The text of the larger ostracon invokes the help of the deified pharaoh Amenhotep I in a matter concerning the theft of clothes
From Thebes: 19th20th Dynasty
ANAshmolean H.O. 1010, ANAshmolean H.O. 4: gift of Sir Alan Gardiner
10
11
Fragment of pottery jug inscribed in hieratic, Nofretari to her husband Ahmose the deified Queen Ahmose Nofretari, wife of Ahmose and mother of Amenhotep I, was revered as the patron, together with her son, of the Theban necropolis
Provenance unknown; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2654
12
Fragments of limestone vase dedicated to the deified Amenhotep I by a man named Ipwy
From Thebes; 19th Dynasty
AN1960.1285.a,b: gift of Nina Davies
Double shabti of Pakharu (The Syrian) and his wife, Henwetshenu, limestone
Provenance unknown; 18th20th Dynasty
Queens College Loan.65
Figure55Queen'sCollegeLoan.65
The Syrian goddess Astarte, miniature stele of painted limestone dedicated by a woman shown kneeling in front of two offering stands; and a sketch of a woman riding sideways on horseback, probably Astarte, on a limestone ostracon
Stela: from the Ramesseum, Western Thebes; 19th22nd Dynasty Ostracon: from Thebes; 18th20th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.3897: ERA excavations; AN1942.59, gift of Nina Davies
Bearded face (leg of a pottery tripod), pottery bottle (Mycenaean IIIA2) containing oily residue, and a limestone mould for casting metal jewellery, from a large suburban house at el-Amarna. The excavators called this the Mycenaean house, believing that its architecture and contents might indicate the presence of a Greek trader. The layout is not untypical of other houses in the city, however, and the ample storage area and finds related to small-scale manufacture suggest a combination of workshop and commercial activity. Although the bearded face is that of a foreigner, the clay of which it is made is Egyptian (Nile silt)
From house T.36.36, North Suburb, el-Amarna; about 1340 BC
AN1931.485, 490, 483: EES excavations
Figure56AN1931.490
Fragment of a chariot wheel: the six composite spokes are made of elm wood and glued back-to-back. In order to prevent the wheel wobbling on its wooden axle, the nave formed by the spokes has dovetailed extensions of tamarisk wood on either side. Over the wood are the remains of rawhide binding and plaster
From the tomb of Amenhotep III (West Valley no.22), Valley of the Kings, Thebes; about 1353 BC
AN1923.663: gift of Almina, Countess of Carnarvon Figure57AN1923.663
Limestone block showing part of a chariot wheel, carved in relief and painted. The linch pin holding the wheel on the axle is decorated with the figure of a captive foreigner. The bound covering shown on the spokes was probably birch bark, and the wheel has a rawhide tyre. Behind the spokes is part of the chariot body of decorated wood, with the lower end of a bow-case shown at the left. The block would have formed part of a scene showing the royal family and officials visiting the temple of the Aten. Although the block is finished work, there are traces of the gridlines made with a string dipped in red paint which were used to draft the scene before carving
From the sanctuary of the Great Temple, elAmarna; about 13531335 BC
AN1927.4087: EES excavations
Figure58AN1933.1209
Figure59AN1924.74
10
All objects from tomb 605, in a cemetery south of the town. It was a small chamber at the bottom of a shaft. It contained three burials: a wooden coffin with two bodies, and a third body wrapped in matting.
Fragments of plaited hair; tall pot with painted decoration; Mycenaean stirrup jar
AN1921.1332, 1322, 1321: BSAE and ERA excavations
Strings of beads and amulets; red faience, cornelian, and red jasper earrings; faience scarab; cornelian Besamulet, on its original piece of string
AN1921.1333, 1335, 1331, 1330, 1324-1329, 1334, 1336: BSAE and ERA excavations
Objects from tomb 217, in a cemetery north of the town. It was probably a childs burial, disturbed by robbers. The contents were found in a basket. Travertine miniature vases; wooden kohl stick; faience imitation of a Mycenaean stirrup jar
From tomb 217, Medinet Ghurab; 18th or 19th Dynasty
AN1921.1312-13, 1311, 1310: BSAE and ERA excavations
Objects from burnt group 4 5 Bronze bowl; travertine lid; wooden bowls
AN1890.980, 977, 974-75
Wooden combs; wooden pins; bone earstuds; ivory and faience spacing beads from necklaces; red jasper earrings; strings of beads and amulets; cornelian pendant in the form of a crouching royal child
AN1890.1103, 1102, 1112, 1136A, 1109, 1134, 1133, 11141116, 1108, 1107, 1131
8 9
10
11
Figure60AN1890.953,957,with othersfromtheburntgroups
12
Bronze mirror disk; copper and bronze tweezers; two tattooing needles or awls; bronze razor; bronze knife; copper kohl stick; bronze needles; stone whetstone
AN1890.979, 1122, 1121, 1119, 1120, 1129, 1123, 1127, 1124, 1125, 978
13
Pottery bottle with three handles, possibly an Egyptian imitation of a Mycenaean vessel form
AN1890.948
Figure61AN1890.948withothers fromtheburntgroups
14
15
16
Two wooden figures of naked women. The curled and plaited wig of one may associate her with Hathor, goddess of dance and fertility. If their now missing bases were inscribed, statues such as these could represent the tombowner. Uninscribed, they had a more general symbolism, expressing their owners hopes for fertility in the afterlife
AN1889.1064-65
17
Bone bobbins; bronze mirror disk; travertine lid; ivory ear-studs; two pieces of wooden inlay
AN1890.1006, 1003, 999, 1007, 1009
18 19 20
Faience, stone, and glass beads and amulets; beads in the shape of poppy heads, characteristic of jewellery of the 19th Dynasty; red jasper wedjat-eye amulet
AN1890.1019-1025, 1013
21
Mycenaean stirrup jar, and an Egyptian imitation made of travertine; travertine and pottery vessels
AN1890.990, 997, 995, 1045
Figure62AN1890.990,997with othersfromtheburntgroups
22
Figure63AN1890.9867withothers fromtheburntgroups
23
Steatite dish inscribed with the name of Seti II. The other sides are decorated with a figure of the god Ptah, a scarab, and a king smiting a prisoner
AN1890.1017
24
Faience rings, with bezels in the form of a wedjat-eye and an ibex; faience or clay ear-studs; a shell
AN1890.1014-15, 1010, 1016
All from burnt group 1, Medinet Ghurab; second half of the 19th Dynasty
Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Wine-jar, inscribed in hieratic Year 7/Very good wine of the house of the Aten/The inspector Tu. The carrot shape and the fabric are typical of the jars in which wine was transported from the oases in the western desert of Egypt celebrated for their vineyards and fine wines throughout antiquity
From el-Amarna; c.13531335 BC
AN1893.1-41 (268): Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Storage jar (restored), decorated with a hippopotamus standing on a plinth in front of a papyrus clump - probably a sacred animal. The drawing may indicate that the jar was destined for temple use, or was a votive dedication
From el-Amarna; c. 13531335 BC
AN1893.1-41 (286): Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Figure64AN1893.141(286)
Bes-face, relief decoration from the neck of a blue-painted vessel; the god Bes, lion-masked and feather-crowned, was associated with music and dancing, as well as the protection of mother and child at the time of birth
From el-Amarna; c. 13531335 BC
AN1893.1-41 (292.a,b): Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Pilgrim flask with a slipped and polished surface. Egyptian craftsmen copied the shape of these lentoid vessels from Mycenaean Greece or Syria-Palestine, mostly for small cosmetic containers in pottery, faience, or glass. This large example could have held a substantial quantity of liquid, and the hard clay fabric and surface treatment would have prevented evaporation. The name pilgrim flask was borrowed from the early Christian use of small flasks of this shape as souvenirs containing holy water
From el-Amarna; c. 13531335 BC
AN1893.1-41 (309): Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Amphora inscribed in hieratic with the validation of an Amarna official. The text is incomplete, but of the type associated with nhh-oil (possibly to be identified as sesame oil), usually transported in this kind of vessel. The shape and fabric of the vessel denote a place of origin on the Syrian coastline, probably Ras Shamra
From el-Amarna; c. 13531335 BC
AN1893.1-41 (271): Flinders Petrie excavations; gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Two Mycenaean stirrup jars for oil, and an Egyptian imitation of a Mycenaean jar: late 18thmid19th Dynasty
Tall jar (Mycenaean IIIB): from a disturbed grave in cemetery E, Riqqa
AN1913.493: BSAE and ERA excavations
Figure65Cases53to58
Core-formed and moulded glass Core-forming and moulding were the main techniques used to produce glass objects until glass blowing was discovered in the 1st century BC. 1 Chalice of turquoise-blue glass
From grave O58, Medinet Ghurab; late 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2451: ERA excavations
Bunch of glass grapes on a hooked stem of bronze and wood (restored). Probably made for suspending as an ornament
From el-Amarna; about 13531335 BC
AN1924.69: EES excavations
Figure66AN1924.69
Cosmetic scoop in the shape of a tilapiafish, symbol of rebirth; the apple-green colour is an innovation of the late 18th Dynasty
Provenance unknown; 18th Dynasty
AN1989.85 Figure67AN1989.85
Triple kohl-tube: the horizontal bands holding the tubes bear textile impressions derived from the placing of wet faience on drying cloths before firing
From Tell el-Yahudiyeh; 20th Dynasty
AN1872.301: G.J. Chester Collection
Marbled kohl-pot, miniature pilgrim flask decorated with mandrake fruits, and a copy of a Mycenaean stirrup jar
Kohl-pot from Thebes, flask of unknown provenance, jar from Tuna; New Kingdom
AN1886.283.e, AN1879.365: G.J. Chester Collection; AN1922.77: gift of Sir Arthur Evans, ex MacGregor Collection
Figure68AN1922.77
10
Lotus chalices, one with petals moulded in relief, the other decorated in black
From Medinet Ghurab and Maidum; late New Kingdom 22nd Dynasty
1890.896: Flinders Petrie excavations, gift of H. Martyn Kennard AN1910.576: BSAE and ERA excavations
Figure69AN1910.576
11
Faience bowls decorated in black with marsh and water scenes Gazelle with her fawn: from Medinet Ghurab
AN1890.1137: Flinders Petrie excavations, gift of H. Hughes
Faience vessels, sculpture and inlays 12 Polychrome faience shabti of a man; and blue-glazed shabti of Seti I, restored from fragments of two different figures
From grave 317, Qau el-Kebir; 19th Dynasty
AN1923.605: BSAE excavations
13
14
Pectoral in the shape of a shrine with Isis, Osiris and a jackal-headed figure
Provenance unknown; 18th20th Dynasty
AN1936.195; gift of Miss E.M. Cochrane
15
Faience inlays, jewellery, and tiles: mandrake flower inlay, lotus necklace terminal, head and wing fragments of duck inlays, and fragments of tiles with bucolic scenes
From el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1924.115A,128,115C: EES excavations; AN1892.680: G.J. Chester Collection; AN1929.407A-C: EES excavations
16
exploration)
17
Glass and faience manufacture Material from the glass-making area at elAmarna, mostly excavated in 1893 by Petrie, one of the first archaeologists interested in the crafts and industries of ancient cities; this was one of the earliest excavations to record such material Pieces of glass with pincer marks
AN1893.1-41 (404), (407)
Glass rods
AN1893.1-41 (406)
18
19
20
21
Pottery moulds for making faience beads and rings, one with the faience still impacted; and moulded faience objects: ring, inscribed ring bezel, rosette bead
From el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1893.1-41 (626), (663), (748) and (876); AN1924.154,110A,148: Flinders Petrie and EES excavations
Figure70AN1893.141(626)
22
Fragments of polychrome inlaid faience: tile with royal name; lozenge patterned bowl; and vessel with the names of Akhenaten and Nefertiti
From el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1942.80: gift of Nina Davies AN1924.114: EES excavations (Main City, M.50.33)
AN1893.1-41 (470): Flinders Petrie excavations
23
Fragment of pottery vessel with glassy overspill, and bowl containing blue frit
AN1893.1-41 (396A),(398)
24
Inlaid faience bowl with the names of Akhenaten and the Aten
AN1893.1-41 (472)
Figure71AN1893.141(471)
Blue glass vessel with white-filled incised inscription including the name of Akhenaten
AN1893.1-41 (484)
Figure72AN1893.141(485)and othersfromAmarna
Base of a blue frit bowl with the names of Amenhotep III and his daughter Sitamun
AN1893.1-41 (485)
25
Faience bowl decorated with lotuses in black; the glaze has not coated the surface evenly, perhaps because it was fired at too high a temperature
From Thebes; New Kingdom
ANFortnum C.1: Fortnum Collection
26
Blue and black spherical beads: the marks inside the broken bead show how it was formed on a ball of plant fibres
Provenance unknown; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.E.227: John Henderson Collection; AN1892.670: G.J. Chester Collection
27
Raw materials for making glass and faience All glass of this period was made of three raw components: a source of silica, a flux to lower the melting point of the silica, and a colorant.
Basic ingredients Silica, in two forms: sand (from the Wadi Natrun) quartz pebbles (from the Nile
valley)
Flux, in two forms: evaporite natrun (mineral name burkeite: from the Wadi Natrun) plant ash (from the annual shrub
Salicornia)
Colorants Deep blue: cobalt-bearing alum (pink veins of pickeringite in a siltstone matrix):
(from the Dakhleh Oasis)
Blue and blue-green: malachite (copper ore: from area 14001500, Armant; Predynastic)
Queens College Loan.1227: Mond excavations
Yellow and green: lead (with antimony) galena (lead ore), from grave G18,
Abydos (Predynastic)
AN1896-1908 E.923: EEF excvations
Faience ring with a projecting bezel, decorated with a seated child god
Provenance unknown; 22nd25th Dynasty
ANFortnum R.25: Fortnum Collection
Intense glossy blue faience is characteristic of the Third Intermediate Period. Large numbers of shabtis ideally, for each person, one for each of the 360 days of the year, and an overseer for every 10-day week were
found in the mass burials of the royal and priestly families of the 21st Dynasty 3 Faience shabti of Masaharta (a Libyan name), High Priest of Amun; faience shabti of Pinedjem, High Priest of Amun
From the royal mummy cache, Thebes; 21st Dynasty
AN1884.38, 60: Gift of Gaston Maspero, through J. L. Strachan-Davidson
Faience shabti of Amenemopet, a priest of Amun, and chief draughtsman of the House of Amun; nemset-vase used for pouring libations, naming the same man
Probably from Thebes; 21st Dynasty
AN1964.705, ANFortnum C.2; Fortnum Collection
Figure731964.705(left)and ANFortnumC.2(right)
Faience shabti of the divine adoratrice Henuttawy. This post sometimes translated as gods wife of Amun was held by a celibate woman of the ruling house. In the 3rd Intermediate Period it became second in importance only to the king; Henuttawys name here is enclosed in a royal cartouche
From the royal mummy cache, Thebes; 21st Dynasty
AN1933.502: Mrs G. H. Pope Bequest
Bronze shabti of the general Wendjeba-en-Djedet. An important member of the royal court, he merited burial in one of the chambers of the tomb of King Psusennes I at Tanis
From Tanis; 21st Dynasty
AN1956.313
Iron spearhead
From Lahun, tomb 602; 3rd Intermediate Period
AN1914.702: ERA and BSAE excavations
Fragmentary limestone stela. It contains an almost identical text to a complete stela now in the Cairo Museum. This was found during excavations at Medinet Habu in Western Thebes, the site believed to be the location of Djeme, the primordial mound and burial place of the Ennead (the nine deities of creation). The text records the Pharaoh Taharqas restoration
of the wall encircling the shrine of the Ennead. A number of orthographic peculiarities, such as the writing of plurals with three singulars, are very oldfashioned. The Nubian rulers used archaisms like these to ally themselves with the rulers of the past. The text: Regnal year 3 under the majesty of the Dual King Khu-Nefertum-Re, the Son of Re Taharqa, given life like Re for eternity. He made as his monument for his fathers the six [maybe a mis-writing of nine] gods of Djeme, renewing the wall which the ancestors had made for the six gods of Djeme, surrounding their temple with a brick wall, a splendid work for eternity. For His Majesty had found it fallen into ruin, so that one could enter and leave the holy place over its northern side. He made the holy place holy (again) for its lord, who gives him life, strength and dominion like Re eternally.
Probably from Medinet Habu; 25th Dynasty
AN1941.1132: gift of Sir Alan Gardiner
10
Leopards head pendant of blue frit, with a cartouche on the back containing the name Menkheperre one of the names associated with the Nubian ruler Piye (about 750715 BC), who asserted Kushite control as far north as Memphis
Provenance unknown; 25th Dynasty
AN1983.168: ex Wellcome Collection
11
Glazed steatite disk inscribed with the name and titles of Montuemhat. Mayor of Thebes, 4th Prophet of Amun, and chief steward of the divine adoratrice, Montuemhat held office in Upper Egypt during the 25th and 26th Dynasties. He kept his position during the Assyrian sack of Thebes and the advent of the Egyptian 26th Dynasty
Probably from Thebes, Tomb 34; 25th26th Dynasty
AN1879.349: Henderson Collection
Stamped clay funerary cone of Montuemhat. During the New Kingdom, tomb entrances were surrounded with clay cones inscribed with their owners names and titles. The custom was revived as part of the archaizing trends of the 25th Dynasty. The inscribed disk has been sawn off in modern times
From Thebes, Tomb 34; 25th26th Dynasty
AN1972.685: Norman de Garis Davies Collection
12
Clay funerary cone of Ramosi, great scribe of the king and overseer of the granaries of Taharqa
From Thebes, Tomb 132; 25th Dynasty
AN1972.196:Norman de Garis Davies Collection
13
14
15
Glazed steatite dyad of Ptah and his consort Sekhmet, gods of Memphis; bronze figure of Horus as a seated royal child; limestone statue of Seth, god of darkness and confusion; and faience vessel in the form of Taweret, hippopotamus goddess of childbirth
From Cemetery B, Riqqa; probably 25th Dynasty
AN1913.503-5, 789: BSAE and ERA excavations
Figure74AN1913.789
Head of a man, from a life-size granodiorite statue. Only part of the owners name, Hor... is preserved on the back pillar. His titles, Hereditary Prince and Count, are not unusual enough to allow him to be identified
Provenance unknown; 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III
AN1958.344: A. G. B. Russell Bequest Figure75AN1958.344
2-3
Stone inlays. Wooden objects and the walls of important buildings were often decorated with scenes made of stone,
faience, or glass inlays. The red jasper inlay of a face has the distinctive snub nose and slanted eye of Amenhotep III. The grey steatite inlay is of the Blue Crown, a domed helmet-like crown frequently worn by the king in battle scenes
Provenance unknown; 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III
AN1896-1908 E.3734: Gift of J. L. Strachan-Davidson, 1903
Steatite head and torso of a man. When complete, the statuette was likely to have shown the owner as a scribe, sitting cross-legged with a roll of papyrus in his lap
Provenance unknown; first half of the 18th Dynasty
AN1962.802: Gift of Mrs M. C. Radford
5-6
Two wooden statuettes of women, from burials. A slot in the cylindrical headdress of one may have held a mirror disc. This figure is shown naked apart from necklaces and a bead belt. The head of the other is shaven, apart from a sidelock of hair indicating her youth; her elongated skull is characteristic of representations from the Amarna Period and afterwards
From Group 4, Medinet Ghurab; second half of 18th Dynasty or 19th Dynasty
AN1890.936: Petrie excavations
Quartzite head of a prince. The round wig with a sidelock identifies the owner as a Priest of Ptah, a traditionally royal post
Provenance unknown; 18th Dynasty, reign of Thutmose IV
Queens College Loan.1203
Figure76Queen'sCollegeLoan.1203
Fragment of a wig. Light and dark woods, partly plastered and gilded, inlaid with faience and cornelian. On the interior, rawhide thongs would have attached it to another piece. The elaborate diadem depicted on this complex piece of woodwork identifies its wearer as a king. It came from a coffin or life-size statue
Provenance unknown; said to come from the royal mummy cache, Thebes; New Kingdom
AN1933.618: Sayce Bequest Figure77AN1933.618
Mask. Plaster, with traces of paint. The function of this piece is uncertain, but it is unlikely to have formed part of a statue, since it is a finished object with no means of attachment to a body. It may have served as a sculptors model for a work in stone or metal
Provenance unknown; early 19th Dynasty
AN1933.895: Sayce Bequest
10
Head and torso of a woman from a pairstatue. Her husband, called a great craftsman on the stela-shaped reverse, would originally have been carved on her right-hand side. Their names are now lost, but his title, and the use of bright white limestone, may link it to the Theban tombworkers community of Deir elMedina
Provenance unknown; 19th or 20th Dynasty
AN1958.359: Gift of Mrs J. W. Cole
11
12
Limestone head of a woman. In the eyes are remains of a blue frit inlay. Late Period female statuary on as large a scale as this is rare, suggesting that the owner must have been someone of considerable importance
Provenance unknown; 26th Dynasty or earlier
AN1967.849
13
Limestone head of a man with a diadem. Although the theatrically upwardgazing eyes are reminiscent of Hellenistic sculpture, the presence of a back pillar emphasises the Egyptian origins of this
piece
Provenance unknown; late Ptolemaic or later
AN1872.365: G. J. Chester Collection
14
Plaster-cast head, of a king or deity, with black guidelines visible by the ear. It was found with similar pieces and votive bronzes, possibly deposited during a clear out of a shrine. The crown is not completely carved
Baboon catacombs, Saqqara; early Ptolemaic
AN1971.99: EES Excavations Figure78AN1971.99
15
Trial piece goddess or queen. Limestone with remains of a grid, used to determine the proportions of the figure
Superstructures of the Bucheum, Armant; Ptolemaic
AN1929.416: Mond excavations
16
Trial piece, two swallows, limestone. The swallow represented the Egyptian word wr, great
Probably from Dendera; Ptolemaic
AN1892.1166: G. J. Chester Collection
17
Trial piece, goddess or queen. Limestone with details drawn in red and partly carved. The reverse shows part of the head of a king
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaic
AN1919.50: Gift of Sir John Beazley
Figure79AN1919.50
18
Personal Religion
From the Late Period onwards, Egyptian religion showed a new personal emphasis on the relationship between deity and worshipper. A statue or object dedicated to the god in his temple was seen as a way of procuring a direct benefit for the donor. Sculptures of private individuals showed them piously kneeling to offer divine images, and thousands of cast bronze figures and models were made to be inscribed and dedicated in temples. Many of them have been found in large groups buried within the temple precinct; presumably the shrine itself had to be periodically cleared out to make room for more. Increasingly, the deities to whom these offerings were made were local gods, and there was also a new emphasis on the worship of sacred animals.
Bronze stand for an incense bowl, the foot inscribed in demotic with a dedication by Tawennofre, maidservant of the Ibises, asking that the great god Thoth the Ibis may give life to her children. The hieroglyphs incised on the rim of the stand repeat the wish for eternal life
From area H5 (Gallery 16 of the Falcon Catacomb, North) Saqqara; Late Period
AN1971.137: EES excavations Figure80AN1971.137
Painted wooden incense holder, model of the implement used for offering incense to a god, usually made of bronze. Holding the far end of the arm, the worshipper took pellets of incense from the central box and dropped them onto hot charcoal in the cup
Provenance unknown: Ptolemaic
AN1968.559
Figure81AN1968.559
Votive instruments and vessels Mirror, sistrum, and menit-necklace were associated with the cow-eared goddess Hathor, whose worship was accompanied by music and dancing. The sistrum was fitted with bars carrying disks which jingled when it was shaken; the menit necklace consisted of strings of beads and a counterpoise which served as a handle by which they too were shaken
Figure82AN1971.445
Copper menit-counterpoise
From Saqqara; Late Period
AN1971.143: EES excavations
Two bronze situlae (vessels for liquid offerings); one is decorated in relief with scenes of offering to Min and other divinities, and sun boats
From the sacred animal cemetery, Dendera; Late Period
AN1896-1908 E.2402 A,B: BSAE excavations, 1908-9
Demotic papyrus recording judgements against two men, delivered in an oracle given at the temple of Khnum at Elephantine. The papyrus was found rolled, with a clay sealing bearing the symbol of an arm and hand offering a cup of incense. One man, Petra, has offended against the god Osiris during his great festival: he became drunk on the wine intended for libations, neglecting the ritual and breaking the holy silence on the Abaton (the island where Osiris was buried). The other, the priest Petosiri, has built houses encroaching on the property of others. Petra must pray to Khnum for forgiveness, and Petosiri must demolish the offending buildings and perform expiatory cult-service
From Elephantine; Ptolemaic
AN1932.1159, Papyrus Dodgson: gift of the Dodgson family and Mrs Grosvenor-Talbot Figure83AN1932.1159
Figure84AN1988.11
Kneeling figure pouring a libation from a vase, and a standing offering bearer
From Naukratis; Late Period
AN1888.168, 170: EEF excavations, 1885-6
10
Model offering table of bronze, with a kneeling worshipper, a frog (symbol of the New Year), and jackals
From area H5, Saqqara; Late Period
AN1971.125: EES excavations
11
Model staff-terminals: left and right, with the head of Khnum; centre, a Horus spear, showing the god as a falcon carrying the weapon with which he slew Seth
Late PeriodPtolemaic
AN1888.171 (from Naukratis): EEF excavations, 1885-6 AN1986.14 AN1931.587 (provenance unknown): gift of C. Knox-Shaw
Figure85AN1986.14
12
Aegis of Khnum, crown missing, the eyes inlaid with blue frit
From area H5, Saqqara; Late Period
AN1969.467: EES excavations, 1968-9
14
Apis bull, standing on a base inscribed in hieroglyphs with a dedication by a priest, the Singer of Osiris-Apis, HarmaKhoros
Probably from the Serapeum at Saqqara; 26th Dynasty
AN1879.332: gift of John Henderson
Figure86AN1879.332
15
Figure of the goddess Bastet, lionheaded, with two cats; the base is inscribed with a dedication by Paiuenhor, son of Pasherenbastet
Late Period
AN1971.1004: ex Bomford Collection
16
Animal reliquaries: model coffins for an ichneumon (empty) and a falcon (containing linen and mummified fragments)
From area H5, Saqqara; Late Period
AN1971.130,136: EES excavations
17
Figure87AN1947.293
Trade and manufacture The faience factory at Naukratis suggests a trade in jewellery, and there was probably traffic in precious metals and luxury goods between Greece and Egypt. Oil and wine were principal imports 2 Bronze plate with floral device, once inlaid with enamel
From the palace of Apries, Memphis; 26th Dynasty
AN1910.540: BSAE excavations
Glazed faience hawk amulet, and pottery moulds from the scarab factory, for making faience beads; Nubian heads and an Egyptian amulet
From Naukratis; Late Period
AN1888.222, 216.a,b: EEF excavations, 1885-6; and AN18961908 E.4572
Greek religion at Naukratis The Hellenion, a sanctuary dedicated to the various Greek deities, was established jointly by several Greek cities, and there were separate temples of Aphrodite, the Dioskouroi, Hera, and Apollo. Offerings of statuettes were made following Greek custom. 7 Fragment of a Chian cup dedicated to Aphrodite; woman holding a bird, limestone; and part of an Egyptian-style figure of a woman holding a flower
From the temple of Aphrodite, Naukratis; Late Period
AN1888.218, 220, AN1886.463: EEF excavations
Votive terracotta figures: a kouros head and two women, one holding a feline
From the Hellenion precinct, Naukratis; Late PeriodPtolemaic
AN1896-1908 G.77, 75, 92: BSAE excavations, 1899
Rhodian cup
Found at Naukratis, perhaps from Camirus in Rhodes; 6th century BC
AN1987.61: gift of P.M. Fraser
10
11
Sherds of Athenian (black figure and red figure), Corinthian and Rhodian pottery
From Naukratis; 6th5th century
AN1896-1908 G137.44, 138.31, 11.43, 119.14: D.G. Hogarth excavations, 1903
12
Wooden tablet inscribed in Greek, dedicated to the Dioscuri by M. Decrius Decrianus, an epic and lyric poet, celebrating his victory in a literary contest
Provenance unknown; 2nd century AD
AN1930.26: gift of Mrs Hunt, ex Grenfell Collection
13
14
Silenus head of glazed faience, from a vase; and mosaic glass inlays showing theatre masks
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaicearly Roman
AN1960.725: gift of Miss P. Walker, ex Howard Carter Collection; AN1965.322.b, 322.a, 323.a: ex Spencer-Churchill Collection
Figure88AN1960.725
Figure89AN1965.323.a
Other foreigners in Egypt 15 Bronze statuette of the Assyrian divinity Pazuzu, with incised inscription in Aramaic or Phoenician
From San el-Hagar (Tanis); Late Period
AN1892.43: G.J. Chester Collection
Figure90AN1892.43
16
Faience plaque inlaid with a cuneiform inscription in Old Persian including the formula King of Kings
From Saqqara; Late Period
AN1933.720: Sayce Bequest
17
From Thebes; Late Period
AN1872.83: G.J. Chester Collection
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Figure91AN1966.1102
26
Memphis Greeks were renowned as mercenary soldiers as well as traders. Distinctive scale-armour and weapons show their presence at these sites Iron scale armour
From the palace of Apries, Memphis; 27th Dynasty
AN1933.1435: Petrie excavations, 1908-14, bequest of Mrs G.H. Pope
27
Limestone false-door stelae with Carian inscriptions. Carians from Asia Minor served as mercenaries in Egypt from the late 7th century on, and these stelae in Egyptian style belonged to Carians who were apparently buried in a special cemetery at Saqqara
From area H5, Saqqara; Late Period
AN1971.106, 107: EES excavations, via the Griffith Institute
28
Inscribed limestone slab with a Hadrianic copy of a decree of Ptolemy I Soter (304284 BC) honouring the arrival of new Greek colonists; the Greeks continued to establish settlements in Egypt in the Ptolemaic Period
From el-Mansha (Ptolemais); reign of the Emperor Hadrian AD 117138
AN1987.56; gift of P.M. Fraser
29
Greek figures in terracotta and stone Woman (head missing) holding a bird, painted terracotta
From Damanhur (Hermopolis Parva); Ptolemaic Roman
AN1872.1051: G.J. Chester Collection
couch
From Naukratis; Late Period
AN1896-1908 G.69, G.1011: BSA excavations, 1899
Figure92Cases60to64;above,copyofapaintinginthetombofRamose(about1390 1350BC),showinghisfuneralprocession;temperacopybyNinaDavies,AN1991.1
Horus stelae, for protection and healing. When the child Horus was bitten by a scorpion, Thoth conjured the poison out. The stelae show Horus standing on crocodiles and holding other harmful animals, under the apotropaic mask of Bes. 1 Fragmentary limestone statuette of a priest holding a Horus-stela: the figure was probably set in a basin, so that water poured over the stela could be collected and used to cure snake or scorpion bites
Probably from Sais; 26th Dynasty
AN1990.60
Figure93AN1990.60
Fragmentary Horus-stela of limestone, incised on the base with a scene of Horus as a charioteer hunting lions, ibexes, and
scorpions
Provenance unknown; 3rd Intermediate Period or later
AN1967.1157
Figure94AN1983.184
Faience figure of the dwarf god PtahPataikos as Horus-on-the-crocodiles, protected by winged figures of Isis and Nephthys
Provenance unknown; Late PeriodPtolemaic
AN1965.183: ex Spencer-Churchill Collection
The hippopotamus Taweret, red jasper, standing on a base of limestone inscribed with a dedication by a man named Paweher(?)
Provenance unknown; 26th Dynasty
AN1923.662: gift of Almina, Countess of Carnarvon
Figure95AN1923.662
Magical statuette of black serpentine: the upper part of a man who may have been holding a stela or divine image. His shoulders are inscribed with spells, and he wears a pendant disk with the image of
a solar god
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaic
AN1896-1908 E.3465
Heart amulet of haematite, inscribed with a djed-pillar of Osiris on the front, and Greek letters on the back
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaic
AN1892.1197: G.J. Chester Collection
Faience pendant in the shape of a composite divinity with attributes of the gods Bes, Min and Anubis, bird and scarab wings and a crocodile tail
Provenance unknown; Late PeriodPtolemaic
AN1964.702: ex Brummer Collection
Figure96AN1964.702
Bronze statuette of a dwarf baboonheaded divinity wearing the atef-crown of Osiris and bird wings
Provenance unknown; Late PeriodPtolemaic
AN1865.172: ex Spencer-Churchill Collection
Isis nursing the young Horus, bronze figure on a wooden throne and base inscribed in hieratic
From bronze cache 2, area H5, Saqqara; Late Period
AN1971.101: EES excavations
10
Figure99AN1973.569
11
Harpocrates in the doorway of a shrine with festive garlands, terracotta with traces of paint
Provenance unknown; Roman
AN1889.934: G.J. Chester Collection
12
Isis with the attributes of Thermuthis, cobra goddess of the harvest; terracotta
Provenance unknown; 2nd3rd century AD
AN1956.959: ex Ingram Collection
Figure100AN1956.959
Isis and Serapis as snake-divinities, guardians of the prosperity of Egypt; sunk relief in limestone
From Naukratis; Roman
AN1888.257: EEF excavations
13
14
Limestone bust of Serapis, and terracotta heads of the god wearing the modius (corn-measure) headdress PtolemaicRoman
AN1964.301 (provenance unknown): Gardiner Bequest; AN1872.413 (from Alexandria): G.J. Chester Collection; AN1982.899 (provenance unknown): ex Wellcome Collection
15
16
Pottery lamps with busts of Isis and Serapis above an altar; and a bust of Serapis on the handle Roman
AN1967.280 (provenance unknown); AN1888.770 (from Hawara): Flinders Petrie excavations
Glazed faience vessels, statuettes and amulets 1 Canopic jar, djed-pillar amulets and wing-appliqus, with traces of gilding on the larger wings
From cemetery E, tomb 460, Abydos; Ptolemaic
AN1912.528-533: EEF excavations
Provenance unknown; Late Period and Ptolemaic
AN1964.288: Gardiner Bequest; AN1950.167
Amuletic figures: Taweret holding a sasign; seated Osiris; Ptah; and the dwarf Ptah-Pataikos
Provenance unknown; Late Period
AN1965.177, AN1965.181; AN1965.179: ex Spencer Churchill Collection; AN1933.1441, Pope Bequest
Figure101AN1965.177
Figure102AN1933.1441
Plaque of blue frit with cartouches containing the names of Apries (ruled 589570 BC)
Provenance unknown; 26th Dynasty
AN1991.293: ex Ernest Brummer Collection
Figure103AN1888.239
Fortnum Collection
10
Head of an oriental
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaic
AN1966.1100: gift of Sir John Beazley
11
Figure104AN1978.739
12
13
14
Mosaic glass inlays with Egyptian motifs, including the arm of a figure wearing patterned textile, and a pleated kilt; and classical motifs
Provenance unknown (except for E.3739); Late PeriodRoman
AN1965.321, 324, 318, 320.a: ex Spencer-Churchill Collection; AN1983.166: ex Wellcome Collection; Oldfield coll. 24; AN1896-1908 E.3739 (from Behnesa): EEF excavations, 1903; Oldfield Collection 26; AN1965.323.b, ex Spencer-Churchill Collection
Figure105AN1965.321
Figure106AN1965.324
15
16
17
18
Figure107AN1910.481
19
20
Glass lens
From Akhmim; Roman
AN1890.493: G.J. Chester Collection
21
Pharaoh making an offering: glass inlays, probably for the decoration of a wooden shrine
From a tomb at el-Lahun; Late Ptolemaic early Roman
AN1896-1908 E.3745: EEF excavations, 1902
Material from the Memphis faience kilns 22 Pottery stand for a saggar, luting strips for sealing a saggar
AN1910.568 (Kom Hellul kilns); AN1910.528 (unidentified kiln)
Bowl with stilt marks, and clay stilts for supporting vessels
AN1922.79 (provenance unknown): gift of Arthur Evans, ex MacGregor Collection AN1910.534 (unidentified kiln): BSAE and ERA excavations
Fragment of a jar lined with blue frit, and pills of blue frit
AN1910.567 (2), 564 A (Kom el-Qalama kilns)
23
Fragments of a marbled plate with stilt marks, a dish with vine border, and vase decorated in relief with a donkey laden with amphorae
From Memphis; 1st2nd century AD
AN1913.808, 802; AN1910.544 (Kom Hellul kilns): BSAE and ERA excavations
Case 64 Alexandria
Ptolemaic and Roman Periods 332 BCAD 395 Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC on the site of the Egyptian settlement of Raqote (Rhakotis). A natural harbour, located on the Nile Delta, it was developed as Egypts major port. Its lighthouse, Pharos, was one of the wonders of the ancient world. From 305 BC, Egypt was ruled by the Ptolemaic kings and queens descended from Ptolemy, one of Alexanders generals. After the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and Cleopatras death in 30 BC, it became part of the Roman Empire, and a key source for its grain. Alexandrias harbours were perfectly located for Roman trade between the Mediterranean and the Nile Valley, overland to the Red Sea, and on to India. The city became the second largest of the Roman Empire. During the fourth century AD, Christianity became increasingly wellestablished in Alexandria. The last major pagan temple, the temple of Serapis, was closed in 391. Alexandria had a grid plan typical of a Greek city, and a colonnaded main street. Although it had buildings indicative of a Greek cultural life, such as its famous Museum and Library, the Egyptians influenced other aspects of the citys culture, such as religion and architecture. Many of the material remains are an amalgam of Egyptian and Greek or Roman features; others are distinctly one or the other. 1 Coins of the Citys Greek Rulers Alexander the Great (332323 BC) Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285246 BC) and Arsinoe II (d.270 BC) Ptolemy III Euergetes I (246221 BC) Ptolemy IV Philopator (221205 BC) Ptolemy V Ephiphanes (205180 BC) Ptolemy I Soter I (305285 BC) Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II (d.270 BC) Berenice II, wife of Ptolemy III (246221 BC) Arsinoe III, wife of Ptolemy IV (221205 BC) Cleopatra VII (5130 BC) Bronze coin of Ptolemy III Euergetes I (246221 BC) showing eagle on back
All British Museum electrotypes, except for Ptolemy I (HCR 1956.04.27.01 (14.09 g.): gift of Miss Jean Kirk) and Ptolemy III (HRC Douce 1001 (74.42 g.):Douce Collection)
Ptolemaic Queens Under Ptolemy II Philadelphus a royal cult was established for the worship of the Ptolemaic kings and queens, beginning with his wife Arsinoe. Faience libation vessels (royal oinochoai) with relief decoration representing a queen beside an altar were used for cultic purposes. The figures, made separately for applying to the vessels, often survive as fragments. 2 A complete figure and upper and lower fragments from three different vessels
AN1909.347 (from Alexandria): gift of A.J. Evans AN1892.1025 (provenance unknown): G.J. Chester Collection AN1896-1908 E.3720 (from Naukratis): Hogarth excavations, 1899
Figure108AN1909.347
Stamped jar handles from amphorae used to ship wine from the Greek islands
Found in Alexandria; Ptolemaic
AN1872.503, 513: G. J. Chester Collection
Terracotta camels, saddled, laden with amphorae, and with a rider (head missing)
From Qift, Nag Hammadi, and the Faiyum; 2nd 3rd century AD
AN1921.1075: gift of F.Ll. Griffith; AN1892.1176 and AN1872.409: G.J. Chester Collection
Figure109AN1921.1075
Monumental City of Greeks and Egyptians Both traditional Egyptian architecture and the classical architectural orders were used in the monumental buildings of Alexandria 6 Model column capitals of faience: Egyptian papyrus and palm capitals (fragmentary necks from faience pilgrim flasks), and a model Corinthian capital
Papyrus and palm capitals: Late Period
AN1998.109 (provenance unknown); AN1933.143 (from Tell Basta): Sayce Bequest AN1887.2603 (from Karnak): G.J. Chester Collection
Coloured building stone from Egypt and the Mediterranean Onyx alabaster, and red porphyry from Mons Porphyrites, both Egyptian; green porphyry from Sparta; Carystian green from Euboea (Cipollino); grey granite from Mons Claudianus, Egypt; and Breccia di Settebasi from Skyros.
From Alexandria; Roman
AN1871.43: G.J. Chester Collection
City of the Living and the Dead As the modern city of Alexandria expanded at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, construction and roadworks revealed its ancient cemeteries. The tombs contained objects of daily life, like those displayed here. Early burials in the Ptolemaic city included cremations, following the Greek custom, as well as inhumation 9 Hadra vase for burial of the cremated bones of Nikostratos, a Chian envoy
From Alexandria; probably 209 BC
AN1920.250: gift of J.G. Milne
10
Faience Vessels Vessels of faience, a traditional Egyptian material, were made in shapes reflecting Greek influence, but their decoration combined Egyptian motifs, such as the god Bes, with classical ones, such as griffins 11 Fragments of faience vessels with moulded and bichrome decoration Bes-mask on a jar
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaic
AN1924.45: gift of F.Ll. Griffith
Bowl with horseman; neck of vase with a griffin; and lotus bowl with griffins flanking a palmette
From Memphis; Ptolemaic
AN1913.552, AN1913.809(1), and AN1910.549(2): BSAE
excavations, 1909-10 and 1912-13
12
Faience vase
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaic
AN1888.1455: ex Chambers Hall Collection
Figure110AN1888.1455
13
Figure111AN1911.356and AN1913.793withsimilarbowl
14
Terracotta figures Alexandrian craftsmen depicted subjects from everyday life and the theatre, as well as mythology. Similar figures were also made in marble and bronze. Dwarf with a jar, riding a goose
Provenance unknown; PtolemaicRoman
AN1944.61: gift of J.D. Beazley, ex Gayer-Anderson Collection
15
Pottery lamps, mould-made; the decorative motifs include a torch, and a lamp on a stand ranging in date from the 2nd to the 1st century BC:
From the Faiyum, attributed to an Alexandrian workshop;
AN1872.447: G.J. Chester Collection
provenance unknown;
AN1889.1272: gift of H. Martyn Kennard
from Athribis;
ANLamp.245
from Alexandria;
AN1872.448: G. J. Chester Collection
City of Pagans, Jews and Christians 16 Ivory and bone panels and strips of beading, used to decorate wooden objects, such as boxes; the figure of Dionysus is carved on the panels panels and beading
from Shurafa, attributed to an Alexandrian workshop
AN1912.608, 610, 613, 611.a-e; 612: BSAE excavations, 1912
bone figure panels, one in reverse, showing the structure of the bone
AN1963.1395 (provenance unknown): gift of Helen Landon; AN1949.8 (provenance unknown): ex Cookson Collection AN1912.609 (from Shurafa: BSAE excavations)
Figure112AN1912.608,610,613
17
Flasks of St Menas, from the pilgrimage church of Abu Mina, west of Alexandria, site of a holy water source. According to legend, the body of the soldier-martyr Menas was carried there by camels, which sometimes appear with him on the flasks. Other motifs shown in the moulded decoration include a Nubian head, equalarmed cross, and the Greek inscription Of St Menas. These flasks, found in large quantities in Alexandria, were also taken home by pilgrims from as far away as Britain
All 5th 7th century AD
AN1896-1908 E.3805 (provenance unknown); AN1891.117
18
Roman and Late Roman pottery lamps: the moulded decoration shows motifs which reflect the variety of religions practised in Alexandria and the surrounding area, as well as purely secular features
1st2nd century AD:
debased scarab motif; lamp handle with sacred cobra; lamp handle with bust of Serapis; a foot
AN1878.149 (from the Faiyum); AN1872.491 (from Tell el-Yahudiyeh); AN1872.487 and AN1872.1122 (from Alexandria): all G.J. Chester Collection
Amphora from Chios, originally holding imported wine, with an incised mark
From area H5, Saqqara; late 6th century BC
AN1971.118: EES excavations
Lamps
Probably from Naukratis; Late Period
AN1896-1908 G.1050-1: EEF or Hogarth excavations
Brazier supports with moulded decoration in the form of satyr heads: broken from the rims of pottery braziers, where they served to hold the cooking-pot above the fire
From Naukratis; Ptolemaic
AN1896-1908 G.1139 and AN1888.182: EEF excavations
10
Moulded black-glazed pottery: flasks in the form of Bes-heads, double female heads, and the neck of a flask with male and female heads
From Qift (Koptos), and provenance unknown; Ptolemaic
AN1892.1090-91: G.J. Chester Collection; AN1954.91: gift of Mrs Bowden-Smith; AN1966.1063: gift of Sir John Beazley
11
12
Cup with ring handles, decorated with a festive dancer; one of a small group of such bowls, made of fragile ware, possibly for funerary use
From the Osireion, Abydos; 1st2nd century AD
AN1926.212: EES excavations
13
14
Base of a red slip bowl stamped with a Chi-Rho monogram surrounded by cord circles
Provenance unknown; 5th century AD
AN1892.1054: G.J. Chester Collection
15
Painted pottery flask in the shape of a mans head, associated with the pilgrimage shrine of St Menas
From Alexandria; 6th7th century AD
AN1872.1078: G.J. Chester Collection
16
17
18
Figure113AN1971.1745
Figure114Cases63to66
Parts of a wooden cross inscribed in Greek, In peace was laid the soul of Peter
Probably from the cemetery at Hawara; 4th5th century
AN1888.762: gift of Flinders Petrie
Small pendant crosses of lead, bronze, rock crystal, mother of pearl, wood and bone (in the shape of an ankh-sign); a bronze cross in the shape of the Chi-Rho monogram and two rings with pendant bronze crosses; the smaller also has a bronze coin (a follis of Constantine, AD 325330)
4th7th century
AN1891.522 (provenance unknown): G.J. Chester Collection; AN1982.67 (from Thebes): Crowfoot Bequest; AN1933.690 (provenance unknown): Sayce Bequest; AN1891.178 (from Akhmim); AN1933.689: Sayce Bequest; and AN1887.2716 (from Medinet Habu): G.J. Chester Collection; AN1935.38 (from Medinet Habu): Sayce Bequest; AN1982.75-76 (from Thebes): Crowfoot Bequest
Figure115AN1884.367
Carved bone pendant in the shape of a stela, showing a saint on horseback spearing a crocodile
From Akhmim; 5th7th century
AN1891.182: G.J. Chester Collection
Figure116AN1933.717
Front of a woollen tunic, tapestry-woven with a pendant cross, praying figures, and busts of saints in medallions
Provenance unknown; 7th8th century
AN1968.563
Figure117AN1968.563
Pottery ostracon inscribed in Coptic with a hymn to Jesus: Alleluia! Praise the Lord, Call upon his holy name! Alleluia! Praise the Lord! For he is a saviour, And his goodness endures for ever... The hymn is reminiscent of the Psalms
Possibly from Thebes; 6th8th century
AN1923.664 (CO 25): gift of W.H. Buckler
Bronze hanging lamp and a lamp or censer, both with dedicatory inscriptions in Arabic
From Old Cairo (Fustat); 19th century?
AN1885.771-72: gift of A.J. Butler
Figure118AN1885.771,detail
Processional cross with the monogram of Jesus Christ in Coptic, and an Arabic dedicatory inscription, Reward, O Lord, those who labour in the Kingdom of Heaven; fan with a wooden handle, decorated in repouss with a pair of seraphim; and benedictory cross and spoon for administering the sacrament. All of base silver
From Old Cairo (Fustat); 19th century or earlier
AN1885.774, 773, 775-6: gift of A.J. Butler
10
11
Eucharistic bread, stamped with crosses and inscribed Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal
19th century
AN1872.599.d (from Cairo): G.J. Chester Collection; AN1893.245 (from Aswan): gift of A.J. Butler
Pottery inkwell, reed pen and miniature wooden writing board on a card
Provenance unknown; Ptolemaic-Roman
AN1950.139: gift of Mr and Mrs A.J. Forster AN1935.98.a: gift of Mrs A.S. Hunt AN1896-1908 E.3671 Figure119AN1935.98.a,and AN1950.139andasimilarpen
Earrings: hoop with hooks for fastening to the ear, threaded with pearls and beads of beryl, gold; and a hoop with hooked fastening, threaded with pearls, beryl, gold beads with granulated decoration, and coiled wire
From Giza and Saqqara; 2nd century AD
AN1873.122.g, .h and .i: G.J. Chester Collection
At the Races 6 Charioteer, fragmentary terracotta figure showing the upper half of a figure, wearing a leather corslet and helmet
From Hawara; 2nd-3rd century AD
AN1888.736: Flinders Petrie
Pottery ostracon inscribed in Greek with an order to deliver wine rations to five grooms, a started and a chaser 11 jars exactly, for six days; from a group of documents relating to Oxyrhynchus
From Oxyrhynchus; early 4th century AD
ANAshmolean G.O. 324
Nile landscape 9 Bronze crocodile, bronze figure of a dwarf gathering lotus in a papyrus boat, and a piece of mosais glass depicting lotuses
Crocodile: provenance unknown;
AN1986.13
Figure120AN1982.1120
Boatman (probably the terminal of a spoon): from el-Simbillawein, in the Nile Delta;
AN1982.1120, ex Fouquet Collection
Depictions of Nile landscape were a popular decorative feature all over the Roman world, but like Chinoiserie in European art they bore only a passing resemblance to the real landscape and inhabitants of Egypt 10 Objects from the burial of a child in the Roman cemetery at Hawara The grave is dated to the second half of the 4th century AD by the bronze coin (Constantius II, Constantius Gallus Caesar, or Julius Caesar) found in the wooden box. The burial was apparently that of a girl; in addition to the selection of items shown here, it included a leather workbag full of dyed but unspun wool, bodkins, and lengths of reed hich may have been spools for taking spun thread; and a quantity of fragmentary clothing. Displayed here: wooden box containing dried lotus seeds and the coin; dolls teaset consisting of a copper bowl and base fragment of a
Figure122AN1888.813
Figure123AN1888.814,816,817
red slipware bowl (Eastern Sigillata A); a frog lamp with remains of burnt wick inside; painted terracotta fertility figure of a woman with hands in the praying position; rag doll made from scraps of tapestrywoven clothing, with real hair; a selection of leather and plant fibre (rush and palm-leaf) sandals from a total of eight pairs or single shows and sandals in the burial; and a bone amulet in the shape of an ankh-sign
From the cemetery at Hawara; 4th century AD
AN1888.813-14, 816-17, 812, 818; selected footwear from the group 804-810; 815:gift of H.M. Kennard, from Flinders Petries excavations
Figure124AN1888.818
Figure125AN1888.815
Figure126AN1885.809
11
Toy bird, carved of wood, with a pair of solid wheels attached by pegs; a cord or thong with which to pull it along could have been threaded through the holes in its head
From the cemetery at Hawara; late Roman
AN1888.763: Flinders Petrie excavations
Statuette of Thoth, faience. Thoth was usually depicted with a human body and the head of an ibis, one of his sacred animals
Provenance unknown; Late Period
AN1964.286: Gardiner Bequest, ex Grenfell Collection
Bronze statue of Imhotep reading from a papyrus roll. Imhotep, who was responsible for planning the Step Pyramid of King Djoser in the 3rd Dynasty, was worshipped in later times as a god of healing and wisdom
Provenance unknown; Late Period
ANFortnum B.5: Fortnum Collection
Ptolemaic and Roman terracottas The terracotta figures produced in Egypt during the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods (305 BC AD 395) reflect aspects of daily life, including pets, furniture, the types of statuary that would have been seen in public spaces, and figures associated with popular entertainment, particularly comedy and sport
Figure128AN2004.635
Painted goose
AN1933.430: Sayce Bequest
Figure129AN1987.189
Three satirical figures from Alexandria: a sheep (?) posing as a beautiful woman; an ass-headed teacher; and a victorious monkeyjockey
AN2004.63-5
Case 69 Be a scribe...
Scribal schools were the main form of institutional education in pharaonic Egypt, and they produced the small elite (perhaps 1% of the population) who were literate. This education was exclusively for boys, and there is little evidence that any women were literate. Scribal training brought the prospect of a comfortable professional life, perhaps even high-ranking office. Amongst the classic texts that school pupils had to copy, several described the advantages and power that the scribe enjoyed. In the 12th Dynasty, the town of el-Lahun was home to the workmen, officials, and scribes involved in building and maintaining the pyramid complex of King Senwosret II. Excavations yielded many objects inscribed with official titles or stamped with the seal of the royal household, since the town was funded by the state.
Fragment of wood inscribed in hieroglyphs with the titles of an official named Ankhy
From el-Lahun; 12th Dynasty
AN1914.677: BSAE and ERA excavations
Stone palette with practice carvings of hieroglyphs, including a bee and four birds
Provenance unknown; New Kingdom
AN1933.325: Sayce Bequest
Model of a seated scribe, with a writing tablet on his knee; painted wood
From grave 268, Beni Hasan; Middle Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.4139: Garstang excavations, 1903
Figure130AN18961908E.4139
Mud was used to seal the mouths of vessels and rolls of papyrus. Stamped impressions identify the source of the contents, or the owner of the document 4 Mud cover from a jar, with three seal impressions
AN1889.1156: gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Two glazed steatite scarabs with stamp bases; an unfinished scarab seal, carved from limestone; and a
limestone stamp
AN1892.269; AN1914.63: G. J. Chester Collection; gift of Mrs. Twining AN1921.1402: BSAE and ERA excavations AN1889.1170: gift of H. Martyn Kennard
All from el-Lahun; 12th Dynasty except steatite scarabs, provenance unknown; Middle Kingdom and 15th Dynasty
Fragmentary writing tablet made of wood covered with linen and plaster, and inscribed in hieratic
From el-Lahun; 12th Dynasty
AN1890.760: gift of H. Martyn Kennard
Pen case, known as a scribal palette, with reed pens in a compartment covered by a sliding door. Two circular wells hold black and red pigment. Red ink was used for drafts or to highlight parts of a document
From the burial of Neteruhotep, grave 75, Beni Hasan; Middle Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.1989: Garstang excavations, 1903
Figure131AN18961908E.1989
Limestone ostracon inscribed in hieratic with part of a text known as The Satire of the Trades. A father taking his son to scribal school praises the scribes profession by comparison with other, menial types of work
Probably from Deir el-Medina; 19th or 20th Dynasty
ANAshmolean H.O. 356: Gift of Sir Alan Gardiner
Demotic papyrus with a request for an oracle. A father asks the crocodile god Soknopaius: If it is my good fortune to give Tetiosiris, my daughter, as wife to Sebekmen son of Kriton, may this letter be brought to me
From Dimai (Soknopaiou Nesos), in the Faiyum; 2nd century BC
AN1968.31
Demotic script, corresponding to the linguistic age of that name, came into use in the 7th century BC. It continued to be used until the 5th century AD, in parallel with Greek, which had been the other standard language and script in Egypt since the Ptolemaic Period 2 School writing board, wood coated with lime wash. On one side dated March AD 544, the first and fourth columns have exercises in the syllabification of Greek words beginning with the letters delta and epsilon. In the narrower columns are multiplication tables for 4 and 5, beginning with 4 x 1 = 4. The exercises continue to the other side (dated a year later). The board was probably one of a set tied together
Provenance unknown; 6th century AD
AN1982.1119
School writing board, wood coated with plaster. Both sides are inscribed in hieratic with eight lines from the Hymn to the Nile Flood. One side also has three unrelated columns of vocabulary and some drawings: the head of a divine falcon, and a bee, plus details of a bees head
From Qurna, Western Thebes; 19th Dynasty
Figure132AN1948.91
AN1948.91: the gist of Sir Alan Gardiner
Part of a letter, probably from a Hittite king to the king of Egypt. Only the second half of some lines are preserved; they contain references to slander and someones murder. The cuneiform script was used to write various languages of the Ancient Near East, and the diplomatic archives at elAmarna contained tablets made and inscribed within Egypt, as well as sent from abroad
From building 19 (Record Office)
AN1893.1-41(408) (EA 43): Flinders Petrie excavations, gift of H.M. Kennard
Part of an Egyptian-Akkadian vocabulary, possibly written by a foreign scribe as an aid to learning Egyptian. The left-hand side contains Egyptian words, the right Akkadian, and the tablet is apparently made of Egyptian clay. The listed words include Egyptian equivalents to shekel weights, and household items: house, door, bolt chair, bed, table
From house O.49.23 in the main city
AN1921.1154 (EA 368): EES excavations
Wooden labels written with ink inscriptions (apparently personal names) in Demotic on one side and Aramaic (the administrative language of the Persian Empire) on the other
From the palace of Apries, Memphis; 27th Dynasty
All from the group AN1910.725-36: BSAE excavations
Jar labels Although potsherd and flakes of limestone (ostraca) were regularly used as cheaper alternatives to papyrus, some potsherds are simply inscribed with a record of the pots content or destination 7 Wine label on fragment of bluepainted jar; the hieratice inscription runs according to the usual Amarna formula, with a year date (missing) and identification, Wine of the House of the
Aten
From el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1893.1-41 (270): Flinders Petrie excavations
Label for a wedding present;top of a jar (contents unknown), inscribed in Greek Good luck to the bride and groom. Theodorus
Provenance unknown; 5th to 6th century AD
ANAshmolean G.O. 148
Written magic 9 Silver foil inscribed with a magical text for John, son of Benenata. The first six lines are written in Greek, and the text thereafter is a mixture of Hebrew and Greek, consisting of personal names and magical formulae. The foil would have been rolled up and placed in a phylactery, a leather pouch or metal cylinder which John kept on his person as a protective amulet
Provenance unknown; Roman
AN1921.1121: gift of J.G. Milne, ex Amherst Collection
Limestone trial piece showing a beginners attempts at cutting the hieroglyph t (a semi-circular loaf and lips)
From the Great Palace, el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1937.867: EES excavations Figure133AN1937.867
Red ink drawing of a man with a shaven head or close-fitting cap. The surface is too smooth for an ostracon, and it is probably a preliminary sketch from a wall that was never carved
From Qurna, Western Thebes; Middle Kingdom
AN1945.63: gift of Nina Davies
Pottery ostracon with a sketch of a house. The plan shows, a series of rooms around a courtyard, is still used in Egypt today
From el-Amarna; 18th Dynasty
AN1936.644: EES excavations
Head of a man. His pursed mouth, shaggy hair and wispy beard may indicate that a specific individual is being depicted or caricatured
From Western Thebes; 19th20th Dynasty
AN1945.20: gift of Nina Davies
Figure134AN1933.804
Design for a ceiling, painted in black, red and yellow. Parts of the red preliminary drawing are visible
From Deir el-Bahri, Western Thebes; New Kingdom
AN1896-1908 E.2724: EEF excavations, 1904
tombs of the 18th Dynasty; the depiction of animals in movement allowed the draughtsman more scope to depict poses based on observation
From Qurna, Western Thebes; 18th Dynasty
AN1945.14: gift of Nina Davies
Figure135AN1912.527
Gaming pieces of faience and wood: one human-headed, one lion-headed gaming piece; a set of conical and domed faience gaming pieces; a throwstick with a canine head; and a painted pottery die. As well as being favoured pastimes throughout Egyptian history, boardgames had religious connotations: the successful passage of ones pieces across the board recalled the souls hoped-for entry into the underworld
AN1921.1267 (from grave 263, Sidmant): BSAE and ERA excavations AN1885.64 (from Thebes): G. J. Chester Collection AN1896-1908 E.2704-5 (from tomb D29, Abydos): EEF excavations AN1886.822.a (from Thebes): G.J. Chester Collection
Living in the New Kingdom Well-to-do Egyptians took with them to their tombs all the things associated with a comfortable lifestyle, which they expected to continue in the afterlife Personal grooming and dress 3 Curler, knife, and razor; bronze
AN1927.1296 (provenance unknown): Evans Collection AN1896-1908 E.2341-42 (from tomb E10, Abydos): ERA excavations, 1900
Ivory kohl-tube decorated with a naked woman; an ivory cosmetic tray in the shape of a bound ibex
From a deposit of bones and ivories in tomb 562, Qau
AN1923.621-22: BSAE and ERA excavations
Figure136AN1923.621
Figure137AN1923.622
Childbirth and nursing 7 Part of a polished red ware vessel, modelled as a nursing woman; possibly a container for milk
From Sidmant, grave 243; 18th Dynasty
AN1921.1290: BSAE and ERA excavations
Figure138AN1921.1290
Model of a woman lying on a bed; at the foot, another woman nurses a child. Such fertility figures of nude women have been found in houses,
and the tombs of men, women, and children. They ensured the pleasurable and successful production of offspring
From tomb 408, Medinet Ghurab; late 18th Dynasty
AN1921.1315: BSAE and ERA excavations
Glazed steatite kohl-pot, carved as an inner tube and outer openwork shell
From grave E265, Riqqa; 18th Dynasty
AN1913.480: ERA excavations
Leather kohl-tube, and a wooden kohl-stick; wood kohl-pot and lid, inlaid with ebony and ivory and wrapped up in linen
From tomb 287, Beni Hasan; Provenance unknown; both New Kingdom
AN1950.210; AN1896-1908 E.2688: Garstang excavations
Kohl-pots of blue anhydrite, a hard stone used especially for containers like these
From tomb E 143, Abydos; 18th Dynasty
AN1896-1908 E.2384, 2386: ERA excavations
Bronze kohl-stick
Provenance unknown; New Kingdom
AN1933.937: Sayce Bequest
AN1921.1268: BSAE and ERA excavations
10
Steatite pair statue of the royal scribe and officer Huy, and his wife, Nay, a chantress of Amun. Nay holds a mandrake fruit and wears a lotus hair-band; these, and her revealingly-cut and pleated linen dress, emphasize her sexual allure
Provenance unknown; end of the 18th Dynasty
AN1964.296: Gardiner Bequest Figure139AN1964.296
11
Pierced ears became fashionable during the early 18th Dynasty, and a variety of earrings and ear-studs were worn. Larger rings with no visible means of attachment are also known; these may be ear-rings or hair-rings, twined into tresses. Blue glass and travertine ear-studs; two gold earrings; red jasper hairrings
AN1931.617 (provenance unknown): Knox Shaw AN1886.883 (provenance unknown): G. J. Chester Collection AN1962.792.a-b (provenance unknown): gift of Mrs M. C. Radford AN1933.39.c (provenance unknown): Sayce Bequest AN1890.1113 (from Gurob, burnt group 4): Petrie excavations
12
13
Faience necklace with beads in the form of lilies and the goddess Taweret
From grave 265, Riqqa; New Kingdom
AN1913.478: BSAE and ERA excavations
14
Figure140AN1929.411
15
AN1964.313: Gardiner Bequest
Case 74
The workmens village at Deir el- Medina
The craftsmen who worked on the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings throughout the New Kingdom lived in a compact village of about 70 houses, tucked away in a valley in Western Thebes. Thanks to the quantity of documents that have survived from the village, more is known about this small community than any other group of people in ancient Egypt.
Limestone ostracon inscribed in hieratic by the scribe Amennakht with two poems composed by him. The side exhibited contains a poem praising the city of Thebes: ...the bread there is finer than a goose-fat doughnut, her water is sweeter than honey.... The red dots above the lines are verse points, which were used to indicate rhythmic units in literary texts, possibly similar to linebreaks in a poem
From Deir el-Medina, Western Thebes; 20th Dynasty
ANAshmolean H.O. 25: gift of Sir Alan Gardiner
Limestone ostracon with a drawing of a man offering a loaf to a snake headed goddess suckling a child, a characteristic depiction of Renenutet, personification of the harvest and nursemaid to the divine king. She became associated with Meretseger and was also worshipped at Deir el-Medina
From Deir el-Medina, Western Thebes; New Kingdom
ANAshmolean H.O. 49: gift of Sir Alan Gardiner
Figure141HO49
Hieratic papyrus: part of a will made by a woman named Naunakhte, distributing her property amongst five of her eight children. She disinherits the three children who did not treat her well. The papyrus is dated to year 3 of Ramesses V (c. 1145 BC) and was written by the scribe Amennakht. His name appears in the eighth line on the right-hand side of this sheet,
Figure142AN1945.97(4)
where Naunakhtes heirs swear before the local tribunal to follow her wishes
From Deir el-Medina, Western Thebes; 20th Dynasty
AN1945.97 (4): gift of Sir Alan Gardiner
Limestone ostracon inscribed with hieratic signs, numbers, and unusual marks. These marks probably represent personal names, and the numbers record the amount of items (probably pots) made by or delivered to them. Full literacy was rare, but more people would have been able to make their mark, as shown here
From Deir el-Medina, Western Thebes; 20th Dynasty
ANAshmolean H.O. 1093: gift of Sir Alan Gardiner
Fragmentary limestone ostracon with a hieratic inscription recording the resolution of a dispute over a hut inherited by the workman Wennofer. The inscription is unusual in being incised and filled with blue frit, a technique used for formal hieroglyphic inscriptions. Perhaps Wennofer set this ostracon into a wall of the disputed hut like a stela
From Deir el-Medina, Western Thebes; 20th Dynasty
ANAshmolean H.O. 655: gift of Sir Alan Gardiner Figure143AshmoleanHO655
Model sandal of wood inscribed the Servant in the Place of Truth on the west of Thebes, the standard title for a tombworker from Deir el-Medina. The Place of Truth was the Valley of the Kings
From Deir el-Medina, Western Thebes; New Kingdom
AN1952.206
Limestone stela dedicated by the Servant in the Place of Truth Amenpahapy. The six serpents represent the cobra-goddess Meretseger (Mistress of Silence), who was associated with the Valley of the Kings. The stela may have been placed in a rockcut shrine along the path from Deir el-Medina