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Ancient Egypt

By Jazminh2002
  • Period: 6000 BCE to 3100 BCE

    Pre-Dynastic Period

    The Pre-Dynastic Period follows the unification of Lower and Upper Egypt (3100) by an Egyptian god-king. The most common practices of Egyptian art and architecture were developed in this era as society advanced and grew.
  • Mace-head of Scorpion King, Dynastic I Period, 31.5 cm x 30 cm, c. 3325-3125 BCE, Limestone, Ashmolean Museum Oxford
    3325 BCE

    Mace-head of Scorpion King, Dynastic I Period, 31.5 cm x 30 cm, c. 3325-3125 BCE, Limestone, Ashmolean Museum Oxford

    The Mace Head of Scorpion King, carved from limestone, is a narrative and ceremonial artifact that depicts early kingship rituals. Source: Oxford, A. M. (n.d.). Search the collection. Ashmolean Museum. https://www.ashmolean.org/collections-online#/item/ash-object-746416
  • Period: 2686 BCE to 2181 BCE

    Old Kingdom

    The Old Kingdom, known as the golden era of Egypt, continued the belief in the divine kingship, but on a larger scale. To honor the sacred, pyramids were built as royal tombs. Economic and hierarchical structures flourished in this period.
  • Statue of Lector Priest Kaaper, c. 2494-2345 BCE, carved sycamore, alabaster, crystal, and black stone, 112 cm, Egyptian Museum, Cairo
    2345 BCE

    Statue of Lector Priest Kaaper, c. 2494-2345 BCE, carved sycamore, alabaster, crystal, and black stone, 112 cm, Egyptian Museum, Cairo

    The statue of Lector Priest Kaaper, carved from sycamore wood, is an honorific of the priest Kaaper, as he was in charge of reciting prayers for the deceased in temples and funerary chapels. His eyes, made from alabaster, crystal, and black stone, signify his importance to the divine. Egypt Museum, C. (2024, September 14). Statue of the lector priest kaaper, Sheikh El-Balad. https://egypt-museum.com/statue-of-kaaper/
  • Period: 2030 BCE to 1650 BCE

    Middle Kingdom

    The Middle Kingdom strengthened its royal authorities by introducing Pharaohs. They also expanded new ways of agriculture and broadened its goods and funerary practices to non-elites.
  • Pectoral and Necklace of Sithathoryunet with the Name of Senwosret II, c. 1887–1878 B.C., Gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, garnet, green feldspar, 82 cm (32 5/16 in.); H., 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.); W. 8.2 cm (3 1/4 in.), The Met Fifth Avenue, New York
    1878 BCE

    Pectoral and Necklace of Sithathoryunet with the Name of Senwosret II, c. 1887–1878 B.C., Gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, garnet, green feldspar, 82 cm (32 5/16 in.); H., 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.); W. 8.2 cm (3 1/4 in.), The Met Fifth Avenue, New York

    The Pectoral and Necklace of Sithathoryunet with the Name of Senwosret II, made from Gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, garnet, and green feldspar, represent mythology and divinity, as many of the symbols represent gods and goddesses. Museum, M. (n.d.). Pectoral and necklace of sithathoryunet with the name of Senwosret II - Middle Kingdom. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/544232
  • Temple of Amun-Re and the Hypostyle hall, c.1550-1070 BCE, unrecorded Artist, Sandstone and brick, Karnak in Luxor, Egypt
    1550 BCE

    Temple of Amun-Re and the Hypostyle hall, c.1550-1070 BCE, unrecorded Artist, Sandstone and brick, Karnak in Luxor, Egypt

    The Temple of Amun-Re and the Hypostyle hall was believed to be a center of religious practice for the god Amun-Re in the Thebes. Scholars suggest that the hypostyle hall, made from 134 sanstone columns, was limited to select individuals due to its liminal space as you continue forward into the hall. Cummins, Dr. Elizabeth. “Smarthistory – Temple of Amun-Re and the Hypostyle Hall, Karnak.” SmartHistory . Accessed October 5, 2025.
  • Period: 1550 BCE to 1070 BCE

    New kingdom

    The New Kingdom, often referred to as the golden age of ancient Egypt, was the most powerful and thriving period. The New Kingdom expanded its military, monumental architecture, and culture.
  • Seated Statue of Hatshepsut, Limestone and paint, H. (83 7/8 in.); x W. 50 cm (19 11/16) x D. (46 7/8 in.), ca. 1479–1458 B.C., Upper Egypt
    1458 BCE

    Seated Statue of Hatshepsut, Limestone and paint, H. (83 7/8 in.); x W. 50 cm (19 11/16) x D. (46 7/8 in.), ca. 1479–1458 B.C., Upper Egypt

    The seated statue of Hatshepsut is a life-size statue of the most successful female leader, Hatshepsut. Scholars suggest that this statue was meant as a religious monument due to its seated pose and flat hands, which suggest an offering. Museum, The Metropolitan. “Seated Statue of Hatshepsut - New Kingdom.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed October 5, 2025. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/544450.
  • Colossal statues at Abu-Simbel, Carved mountain monument, Built by Pharaoh Ramses II, west bank Nile River, c. 1264-1244 BCE
    1244 BCE

    Colossal statues at Abu-Simbel, Carved mountain monument, Built by Pharaoh Ramses II, west bank Nile River, c. 1264-1244 BCE

    The Colossal statues at Abu-Simbel are carved mountain monuments of Ramses the Great, alongside the west bank of the Nile River. Scholars suggest that this monument, along with its temple, was built to send a message to unwelcome foreigners traveling alongside the Nile River. Museum, Rosicrucian Egyptian. “New Kingdom Monuments Abu-Simbel.” New Kingdom Monuments. Accessed October 5, 2025. https://egyptianmuseum.org/explore/new-kingdom-monuments-abu-simbel.
  • Queen Nefertari being led by Isis, Tempera on paper, watercolor, H. x (27 9/16 in) x W. (18 1/8 in) scale approximately 1:3, New Kingdom, Ramesside
    1213 BCE

    Queen Nefertari being led by Isis, Tempera on paper, watercolor, H. x (27 9/16 in) x W. (18 1/8 in) scale approximately 1:3, New Kingdom, Ramesside

    The painting of Queen Nefertari led by Isis is a watercolor painting that depicts the main wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II. Scholars suggest, the painting conveys the power and spirituality of the queen alone, as she is not seen with the pharaoh, but with the goddess Isis. Wilkinson, Charles K. “Charles K. Wilkinson - Queen Nefertari Being Led by Isis - New Kingdom, Ramesside.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed October 5, 2025. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/557811.
  • Ostracon with Pharaoh Spearing a Lion and a Royal Hymn on its Back, ca. 1186–1070 BCE, Limestone and ink, H. (5 1/2 in.) x W. (4 15/16 in.) x Th. (9/16 in.), New Kingdom, Ramesside
    1070 BCE

    Ostracon with Pharaoh Spearing a Lion and a Royal Hymn on its Back, ca. 1186–1070 BCE, Limestone and ink, H. (5 1/2 in.) x W. (4 15/16 in.) x Th. (9/16 in.), New Kingdom, Ramesside

    The Ostracon With Pharaoh Spearing a Lion is a depiction of a hunting scene. Scholars suggest that this artifact is meant to display the power of the Pharaoh because of the written inscription that reads, "The slaughter of every foreign land, the Pharaoh—may he live, prosper, and be healthy.". Museum, The Metropolitan. “Ostracon with Pharaoh Spearing a Lion and a Royal Hymn on Its Back - New Kingdom, Ramesside.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed October 5, 2025.