On this finely carved slab, five elegant women attend to a fragrant art: the pressing of lotus blossoms. Three clasp the long-stemmed flowers in hand, while two twist bulging sacks filled with petals, coaxing forth the nectar which drips into the vessel below. At first glance it is an image of industry, yet beneath lies...
This clay head found in one of the most recent levels of the settlement at Merimde Beni Salama, a village in the Western Delta is enigmatic. This is one of the earliest known representations of a human head in Egypt. The perfectly oval face has features in the form of depressions of various shapes and...
The mummy mask of Tjuyu or Thuya is made of cartonnage covered with a thin layer of gold foil. When found it was completely covered with the remains of its linen shroud removed by the restorer. A few fragments of the shroud, now blackened with age, still adhere to the wig and part of the...
When king Tutankhamun grasped this walking stick, the enemies were turned upside down so that they could not harm the king. At the other end of the stick, a papyrus bears the king’s cartouche. Most of the ancient Egyptian kings and nobles were depicted holding a cane or a staff as it was a sign...
These golden twin bracelets belong to King Shoshenq II were found, with another identical five bracelets, around the wrists of the king. The two ornaments here are decorated with the wadjet eye, above the hieroglyphic “Neb” sign symbolizing eternal protection for the king. The decorations of the bracelets are identical except for the eyes. The...
Painted limestone statue of Meryre, and his wife Iniuia. He is wearing two rows of gold beads presented by the King. Meryneith started his career under king Akhenaten as ‘Steward of the Temple of Aten’ and ‘Scribe of the Temple of Aten’ in Akhetaten and in Memphis. The latter title might imply that he worked...
This fishing model was found in the serdab of Meketre’s tomb which contained 25 wooden models of men and women performing various daily tasks typical of life along the Nile. One vivid and animated scene shows fishermen on board two green-hulled boats used on the river in ancient times; the boats are made from strips...
Hieroglyphs and artwork have survived the ages depicting Egyptian authorities using baboon on leashes to catch criminals, in much the way modern police would use a dog. The most surprising use for trained baboons was as police animals. This artifact offers a fascinating glimpse into the innovative methods employed by ancient Egyptians in maintaining law...
These statues of Amun and Mut have undergone extensive restoration work composed of 79 pieces; the head of the goddess was originally excavated by Auguste Mariette at Karnak in 1873, with further parts being found over the course of many years in subsequent excavations in the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak and sent to the...
In this sculpture from a statue, the head of king Senusret III was no more considered to be a divinity, but a human being. This is reflected in the king’s face, which has wrinkles, a pouting mouth and a protruding chin. All these show old age, a serious nature and weariness. On his head he...
