Object – Rosetta Stone

The development of written language is one of the most significant advancements of humankind.

It allows for a permanent record of oral transmission, much of which has sadly been lost to us

already forever. In terms of ancient objects, it assists in bridging the gap in the interpretation of

realism and abstraction by providing a supporting written description. I believe that the most

significant Egyptian object is the Rosetta Stone, which is currently housed in the British Museum

(Figures 1 – 5). This Ptolemaic Period decree stele – made of granodiorite - became the key to

unlocking Egyptian hieroglyphs, therefore a better understanding of Egypt history as a whole.

The surviving portion of the Rosetta Stone has inscribed the 196 B.C. decree of a council of

priests whereby affirming the royal cult of 13-year-old Ptolemy V Epiphanes on the first

anniversary his coronation. The top text of the Rosetta Stone was inscribed with Ancient Egypt

hieroglyphs, the middle in Demotic script, and the lower in Greek script. This stone provided a

written record of historical cultural events, including language usage, of Egypt at the time. By

the end of the 4th

Century A.D., hieroglyphs as a form of communication became obsolete. In

1799 A.D., soldiers in Napoleon's army rediscovered the stone near the town of el-Rashid

(Rosetta). However, it wasn’t until the early 19th

century that the French scholar Jean-François

Champollion realized that hieroglyphs represented a record of the sounds of the Egyptian

language. This opened the door to being able to interpret the cultural material of Egypt using the

language that had seemingly been lost for 1400 years.

Figure 1 - Front View

(Source:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_i

mage_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=16456004&objectid=117631)

Figure 2 - Reconstruction

(Source:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_i

mage_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=451328001&objectid=117631)

Figure 3 - Right Side

(Source:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_i

mage_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=773236001&objectid=117631)

Figure 4 - Left Side

(Source:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_i

mage_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=773255001&objectid=117631)

Figure 5 - Detail

(Source:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_i

mage_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=928245001&objectid=117631)

Bibliography

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectI

d=117631&partId=1&searchText=rosetta+stone&page=1

Object – Palette of Narmer

The Palette of Narmer is another very important historical object as many scholars believe it

represents the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the Pharaoh Narmer, who was also

referred to as Menes (Figure 1). Its date is thought to be at the very beginning of the Old

Kingdom, therefore circa 3150 BCE. Currently located in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, it

provides what is believed to be one of the very earliest detailed hieroglyphic inscribed depiction

of the power of one of the earliest leaders of Egypt in an axially distorted frontal view – the

tradition of this artwork of which would resonate throughout Egyptian history. On the front-side

of the palette, Pharaoh Narmer is wearing the crown of Upper Egypt. The towering, Pharaoh

Narmer is holding a club above his head in preparation of hitting someone subservient beneath

him and with others seemingly cowering and fleeing for their lives also below him. The symbolic

representation of the unnaturally overly large Pharaoh, as compared to those around him, is a

demonstration of his power through force. On the back side of the Narmer Palette there is

another picture of Pharaoh Narmer, but wearing the crown of Lower Egypt. Of particular note

are the two animal heads being forced together into a perfect unifying circle that has no end.

Going from the back to the front of the palette, it appears in many respects a procession as

Pharaoh Narmer moves along the fertile Nile River towards unifying Lower and Upper Egypt

striking down anyone in his path who would upsurge his power, which was bestowed upon him

by the gods. Other figures shown on the palette – such as the hawk and bull, all have

significance in relation to the Egyptian power of rule, fertility, and religion. With this palette, he

is literally and figuratively saying “Watch out I am the largest, most powerful, and can hit the

hardest with the backing of the gods anyone who stands in my way in the unification of this

fertile land. And it is written in stone for all time for all to see”

Also of importance, is that this tradition of artwork depiction continued to be exemplified

throughout Egyptian history. Over 1500 years later, in this depiction of the 19th

Dynastic

Pharaoh Ramses II or Ramses the Great - whose reign from 1279–1300 BCE was the second

longest in Egyptian history - this ruler is clearly looking back to his ancestor(s) while affirming

his current status as Pharaoh and all powerful ruler over his united kingdom (Figure 2). Once

again, the Pharaoh is symbolically represented as being overly large and with an axially distorted

frontal view. Also, as was seen in the Palette of Narmer, in his one hand he too is wielding a

deadly weapon as he overshadows and forcibly restrains the smaller men by their hair. In

somewhat of a contrast with the Palette of Narmer, or more likely a continued procession now

through history, Ramses II is now wearing the unified crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Clearly, what started with Palette of Narmer as one of the earliest written historical record lead to

an enduring propaganda medium through the millennia of the power of the Pharaoh over unified

Egypt.

Figure 1 – Palette of Narmer - Front Side (right) and Back Side (left)(Source:

http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/cultural/09476/images/dod-02-02-3150bc-narmer-palette-

960w.jpg)

Figure 2 - “A larger-than-life Ramses II towering over his prisoners and clutching them by the

hair. Limestone bas-relief from Memphis, Egypt, 1290–24 bce; in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Egyptian Museum, Cairo; photograph, O. Louis Mazzatenta/National Geographic Image

Collection”(Source: "Ramses II: relief from Memphis". Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica

Online. Web. 29 Nov. 2015. http://www.britannica.com/biography/Ramses-II-king-of-

Egypt/images-videos/A-larger-than-life-Ramses-II-towering-over-his-prisoners/115500)

Bibliography

http://www.britannica.com/biography/Ramses-II-king-of-Egypt

http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/cultural/09476/images/dod-02-02-3150bc-narmer-palette-

960w.jpg

Objects – Imperfect Pyramids as Progression to

“True” Pyramids and Daily Life

Egypt is renowned for its monumental objects, such as the pyramids. Within the context of the

pyramids, also important in the chronology of Egyptian history is the overall technological

progression or trail-and-error and perseverance over 1500 years that lead to the “perfection” of

later “true” pyramids at places such as Giza by great scientific minds (Figure 1). The following is

a review of the evolution of pyramid (trial and error) construction through time:

(1) Mastaba: rectangular, sloping sides, flat-topped, one-story structure, composed of mud bricks

or stones - e.g. 4th

Dynasty, Tomb of Pharaoh Shepseskaf at Saqqara – Figure 2;

(2) Stepped-tomb: multi-story, flat-topped, four-faced apex, crudely carved baked bricks angled

inwards – e.g. 2648 BCE Pharaoh Djoser’s tomb made by Imhotep at Saqqara – Figure 3;

(3) Meidum Pyramid: seven-stepped and seen as transition from stepped to true pyramid - e.g.

2613 BCE where Pharaoh Snefru partially completed then abandoned as funerary monuments

moved from Meidum to Dashur – Figure 4;

(4) Bend Pyramid: unstable, mid-construction the face angles decreased to 43.5º so apex lowered

whereby overall size decrease – e.g. made for Pharaoh Snefru at Dashur in 2600 BCE– Figure 5;

(5) Red Pyramid: stable, angle becoming more acute as now 43 º angle maintained to height of

105 m – e.g. 2589 BCE made for Pharaoh Snefru at Dashur – Figure 6; and

(6) “True” Pyramids at Giza location: now seen as perfected – e.g. 2566 BCE the tallest and

largest for Pharaoh Khufu, 2520 BCE for Pharaoh Khafre the next tallest, 2490 BCE for Pharaoh

Menkarue’s the smallest – Figures 7 - 8.

Figure 1 – Schematic of progression in pyramid building

(Source: Lecture 9 – Archaeology 327, Summer 2013 – University of Calgary)

(Source: http://www.ancient-egypt.org/history/old-kingdom/4th-dynasty/shepseskaf/tomb-of-

shepseskaf.html)

(Source: http://www.ancient-egypt.org/_v3d/index.html)

Figure 2: 4th

Dynasty, Tomb of Pharaoh Shepseskaf at Saqqara

(Source: http://www.ancient-egypt.org/_v3d/index.html)

(Source: http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.ca/2014/07/fixing-egypts-stepped-pyramid-

with-socks.html#.VlpXLLuFMdU)

(Source: http://www.almendron.com/artehistoria/arte/culturas/egyptian-art-in-age-of-the-

pyramids/the-step-pyramid-precint-of-king-djoser/)

Figure 3: Pharaoh Djoser’s tomb made by Imhotep at Saqqara

(Source: http://www.ancient-egypt.org/_v3d/index.html)

Figure 4 - Meidum Pyramid

(Source: http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/bent-pyramid-dashur.html)

(Source: http://www.guardians.net/egypt/pyramids/dahshur/Sneferu/TheBentPyramid.htm)

(Source: https://hiddenincatours.com/why-is-the-bent-pyramid-at-dashur-in-egypt-bent/)

Figure 5 - Bend Pyramid

(Source: https://historyarchaeology.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/the-pyramids-of-sneferu/)

(Source: http://www.ancient-egypt.org/_v3d/index.html)

Figure 6 - Snefru’s Red Pyramid

Figure 7 – Pyramids of Giza (from right to left) - 2566 BC the tallest and largest for Pharaoh

Khufu, 2520 BC for Pharaoh Khafre the next tallest, 2490 BC for Pharaoh Menkarue’s the

smallest

(Source: http://www.ancient-egypt.org/monuments/giza-wonder-of-the-world/index.html)

Figure 8 – Khufu Pyramid dimensions – the culmination of pyramid building (Source:

http://www.khufu.dk/article/dimensions-outer.htm)

Also, significant as to the construction of the pyramids was the overall purpose. The purpose of

the pyramids can be seen as two-fold. Firstly, a national project as a symbol of unification of all

classes to sustain the Pharaoh as a living god and provide work to the populous especially during

periods of unemployment, such as when the Nile flooding. Ancient Greek historian Herodotus

described the pyramid builders as slaves. However, it was Egyptians who built the pyramids as

paid labourers recruited from poor families, which is supported by archaeological evidence. This

evidence includes having the honour of being buried near the pyramid with preparations for the

after-life - such as beer and bread - as well, inscriptions documenting contracts and timesheets.

Also, discovery of objects- such as tools (Figures 9 – 10) validates artwork (figures 11 – 12) that

depicts their paid labor and therefore provides an important insight into the daily activity and

innovation of the Egyptian people. Secondly, Pharaohs were seen as living god and

intermediaries between humans and gods and therefore needed to be sustained after death, with

the pyramids being a bridge to the heavens (after-life) and carrying all the goods and objects to

sustain the Pharaoh.

Figure 9 – From “Fig. 6.4 A plumb, a square, and a square level from the tomb of Senedjem at

Deir el-Medineh. (Cairo 27280, 27259, 27258)”

(Source: http://hbar.phys.msu.ru/gorm/ahist/arnold/arnold.htm)

Figure 10: From “Fig. 6.10 Round bar chisels of the Eleventh and Eighteenth Dynasties from

Deir el-Bahari. (Metropolitan Museum of Art acc. nos, 30.8.115 and 27.3.12)”

(Source: http://hbar.phys.msu.ru/gorm/ahist/arnold/arnold.htm)

(Source: https://www.reddit.com/comments/24m9nf)

(Source: http://hercolano2.blogspot.ca/2012_05_20_archive.html)

Figure 11: Depiction of Colossal Statue transportation - Tomb of Djehuitoptep

Figure 12: Artwork depicting labours using tools

(Source: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/11-things-you-may-not-know-about-ancient-

egypt)

Objects, such as the pyramids are literally a warehouse of more objects, including what is still

awaiting discovery. Recent radar scans have revealed a hidden chamber in Tutankhamun’s Tomb

(Figure 13). Overall, pyramids are a lasting historical representation of the innovation and hard

labour of the Egyptian people, as well as representing the political order, power, and wisdom that

the Pharaoh had the resources to build.

Figure 13: From “Press Announcement: Radar Scans Reveal Hidden Chamber in Tutankhamun

Tomb with 90 Percent Certainty - 28 November, 2015 - 14:10 April Holloway”

(Source:

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/press-announcement-radar-scans-

reveal-hidden-chamber-tutankhamun-tomb-90-020637

Read more: http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/press-announcement-

radar-scans-reveal-hidden-chamber-tutankhamun-tomb-90-020637#ixzz3sr4T04TB)

Bibliography

http://www.almendron.com/artehistoria/arte/culturas/egyptian-art-in-age-of-the-pyramids/the-

step-pyramid-precint-of-king-djoser/

http://www.ancient-egypt.org/history/old-kingdom/4th-dynasty/shepseskaf/tomb-of-

shepseskaf.html

http://www.ancient-egypt.org/_v3d/index.html)

http://www.ancient-egypt.org/monuments/giza-wonder-of-the-world/index.html

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/press-announcement-radar-scans-

reveal-hidden-chamber-tutankhamun-tomb-90-020637

http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/bent-pyramid-dashur.html

Archaeology 327: Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries Archaeology and Popular Culture – Lecture 9:

Mysteries of Egypt - University of Calgary; Summer 2013

http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.ca/2014/07/fixing-egypts-stepped-pyramid-with-

socks.html#.VlpXLLuFMdU

http://www.guardians.net/egypt/pyramids/dahshur/Sneferu/TheBentPyramid.htm

http://hbar.phys.msu.ru/gorm/ahist/arnold/arnold.htm

https://hiddenincatours.com/why-is-the-bent-pyramid-at-dashur-in-egypt-bent/

http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/11-things-you-may-not-know-about-ancient-egypt)

https://historyarchaeology.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/the-pyramids-of-sneferu/

http://www.khufu.dk/article/dimensions-outer.htm