egypt-museum

[egypt-museum]

"From a mummy on board the Titanic to the pyramids’ alignment with the stars, from psychoactive mushrooms to the lost realm of Atlantis: alternative interpretations of ancient Egypt, often summarized as ‘alternative Egyptology’, have always focused on subjects that others shunned. Ever since the birth of scholarly Egyptology with the decipherment of the hieroglyphic script two hundred years ago, alternative interpretations and imaginative theories have flourished alongside it. They intertwined with egalitarian and spiritual tendencies in society during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when ancient Egypt inspired countless mediums, artists, and movements from freemasonry to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. More recently alternative interpretations have inspired comic-book authors and nationalist Chinese bloggers.

It would be a mistake, however, for academics to simply view these alternative theories as fantasies that are best ignored. Their lasting popular impact needs to be assessed and (publicly) addressed by Egyptology, but they may in fact also open up fresh perspectives for research. The contributors to this volume critically explore various aspects of ‘alternative Egyptology’, assessing its impact on society and scholarship, and finding ways for Egyptology to relate to it."

— Alternative Egyptology: Critical essays on the relation between academic and alternative interpretations of ancient Egypt, by Ben van den Bercken

#ancient egypt #books

[egypt-museum]

Mummy of King Tutankhamun in his Tomb (KV62), Valley of the Kings, Thebes.

Tutankhamun's face, when finally revealed, had a "serene and placid countenance", recognisable from his monuments.

New Kingdom, late 18th Dynasty, ca. 1332-1323 BC.

Photo: Kenneth Garrett

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#ancient egypt #tutankhamun #18th dynasty #new kingdom #history #mummy

[egypt-museum]

Amulet of a Papyrus Column, Wadj

Third Intermediate Period, ca. 1070-656 BC. Height: 6 cm; diameter: 1.9 cm. Now in the Art Institute of Chicago. 1892.209

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#ancient egypt #papyrus #amulet #faience

[egypt-museum]

A detail of painting of one of three musicians from tomb of Nakht (TT52). New Kingdom, 18th dynasty ca. 1421-1372 BC. Sheikh Abd el-Qurna. Thebes.

#ancient egypt #nakht #18th dynasty #new kingdom #painting

[egypt-museum]

Seated Couple: Mentuemhat's Ancestors

Late Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664-525 BC. Tomb of Mentuemhat (TT34), El-Assasif, Thebes. Now in the Cleveland Museum of Art. 1949.493 A deceased vizier, whose name ended in Nufer, and his wife seated before a table of offerings. Presumably they were relatives of Mentuemhat. The work is in the style of early 18th Dynasty. Mentuemhet is one of the most recognizable nonroyal names from ancient Egypt. He was a rich and powerful mayor and priest of Thebes and Governor of Upper Egypt who rebuilt the city after the Assyrians destroyed it. Read more

#ancient egypt #late period #26th dynasty #relief

[egypt-museum]

"Golden Mummies of Egypt presents new insights and a rich perspective on beliefs about the afterlife during an era when Egypt was part of the Greek and Roman worlds (c. 300 BCE–200 CE). This beautifully illustrated book, featuring photography by Julia Thorne, accompanies Manchester Museum’s first-ever international touring exhibition. Golden Mummies of Egypt is a visually spectacular exhibition that offers visitors unparalleled access to the museum’s outstanding collection of Egyptian and Sudanese objects – one of the largest in the UK. This book is the first major publication based entirely on Manchester Museum’s Egyptology collections. It explores the Graeco-Roman Period of Egyptian history, asking to what extent our modern image of Egypt as a land of gold, sex, art and death is representative of ancient concerns and realities." — Golden Mummies of Egypt: Interpreting identities from the Graeco-Roman period by Campbell Price, Julia Thorne

#ancient egypt #books

[egypt-museum]

Portrait of Queen Tiye

New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1391-1353 B.C. From Medinet el-Gurob. Now in the Neues Museum, Berlin. ÄM 21834, ÄM 17852

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#ancient egypt #tiye #18th dynasty #new kingdom #sculpture

[egypt-museum]

Axe with Kha monogram

New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, ca. 1425-1353 BC. From the Tomb of Kha (TT8), Deir el-Medina, Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum of Turin. S. 8386

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#ancient egypt #18th dynasty #new kingdom

[egypt-museum]

Léon Belly (French, 1827-1877)

Femmes fellahs au bord du Nil

#ancient egypt #painting

[egypt-museum]

Cat feasting on a fish under the seat of Tawy, wife of Nakht

New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, c. 1401-1391 B.C. Tomb of Nakht (TT52). Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, West Thebes. Now in the Ashmolean Museum.

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#ancient egypt #painting #18th dynasty #new kingdom

[egypt-museum]

Head of Amarna Princess, probably Meritaten

New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, ca. 1353-1336 BC. From studio of sculptor Thutmose at Tell el-Amarna. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 44870

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#ancient egypt #amarna #18th dynasty #new kingdom #sculpture

[egypt-museum]

Darius dressed as Pharaoh of Egypt

Beneath a winged sun-disc, Darius I (521-486 BC) is depicted as pharaoh, offering to the jackal-headed god Anubis. The goddess Isis stands behind, shown wearing cow-horns.

The hieroglyphic labels identify the three figures, with Darius written out in phonetic hieroglyphs within the oval cartouche - a motif traditionally reserved for Egyptian kings and Queens.

Late Period, 27th Dynasty, ca. 522-486 BC. Now in the British Museum. EA37496

#ancient egypt #late period #relief

[egypt-museum]

Fig. 112. “Principal types of pottery in Ancient Egypt.” The Encyclopaedia Britannica. v.9. 1922. 

Internet Archive

#ancient egypt #pottery

[egypt-museum]

Ushabti for Lady Anhai, Chantress of Amun

The image is striking because it shows the young Anhai as she is being led to the afterworld even though she retains her youthful vigor and beauty. The powerful story of the beautiful Anhai on her journey to the afterlife was well known to ancient Egyptians, which is why this funerary figurine was made in her image.

Figurines such as this one were known as ushabti, which were placed in tombs and were intended to act as protectors of the recently deceased. This wooden ushabti was meant to represent Anhai herself, both in tribute as well as to appeal to the young priestess for a safe journey to the afterlife.

New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, 20th Dynasty, ca. 1100 BC. Ex collection A.E. Davis. Now in the Private Collection.

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#ancient egypt #ushabti #20th dynasty #new kingdom #ramesside

[egypt-museum]

Door from the Tomb of Sennedjem

Sennedjem, followed by his wife Iyneferti, is playing the Senet game. They sit on chairs with lion paws, in front of a big offering.

New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1292-1189 BC. Painted wood lined with stucco. From the Tomb of Sennedjem (TT1), Deir el-Medina, West Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 27303

#ancient egypt #Senet #19th dynasty #new kingdom

[egypt-museum]

Ostracon of a Lute Player

New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, ca. 1292-1189 BC. From Deir el-Medina, Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 63805

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#ancient egypt #ostracon #19th dynasty #new kingdom #painting

[egypt-museum]

Relief of Osiris, green-skinned

Tomb of Nefertari (QV66), Valley of the Queens, West Thebes.

#ancient egypt #osiris #nefertari #19th dynasty #new kingdom #relief