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Egypt

By jgonzales41
  • Period: 5000 BCE to 3000 BCE

    Pre-Dynastic Period

    A period in time where hieroglyphic writing emerged. This helped frame the dynamic civilization that emerged along the Nile. Copper and flint were utilized into tools and weapons, demonstrating the development of the period.
    https://smarthistory.org/predynastic-early-dynastic-introduction/
  • Palette of Narmar Palette of King Narmer, c. 3000–2920 B.C.E., Predynastic Egypt, greywacke (slate), from Hierakonpolis, 2′ 1″ high (Egyptian Museum, Cairo)
    3000 BCE

    Palette of Narmar Palette of King Narmer, c. 3000–2920 B.C.E., Predynastic Egypt, greywacke (slate), from Hierakonpolis, 2′ 1″ high (Egyptian Museum, Cairo)

    This Votive object was discovered in a cache during an excavation in the temple precinct of Hierakonpolis. The palette features decorations inspired by ritual elements and historical events. Significantly, it displays the unification of North and South under one ruler.
  • Period: 3000 BCE to 2686 BCE

    Dynastic period

    During this period, the North and South were unified under a single ruler or king. This created a stratified, evolved society.
  • King Den’s sandal label, 1st dynasty, ivory, found at Abydos, Upper Egypt, 4.5 x 5.3 cm (© Trustees of the British Museum)
    2985 BCE

    King Den’s sandal label, 1st dynasty, ivory, found at Abydos, Upper Egypt, 4.5 x 5.3 cm (© Trustees of the British Museum)

    Ivory Label for a sandal is a well-preserved, fragmented label cut on the lower two corners, at an angle. It depicts King Den with an upright mace about to strike a captive. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collecton/object/Y_ES55586
  • Period: 2649 BCE to 2150 BCE

    Old Kingdom (The Pyramid Age)

    Viewed by the Egyptians as a golden age, this period marked the construction of the pyramids. https://smarthistory.org/old-kingdom-first-intermediate-period-introduction/?tl=old-kingdom-first-intermediate-period-introduction&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Seated Scribe​, c. 2500 B.C.E., c. 4th Dynasty, Old Kingdom, painted limestone with rock crystal, magnesite, and copper/arsenic inlay for the eyes and wood for the nipples, found in Saqqara
    2500 BCE

    Seated Scribe​, c. 2500 B.C.E., c. 4th Dynasty, Old Kingdom, painted limestone with rock crystal, magnesite, and copper/arsenic inlay for the eyes and wood for the nipples, found in Saqqara

    The seated scribe holds a slightly rolled papyrus in his left hand. He is made of wood and painted limestone. Sitting cross-legged with his right leg over his left, this scribe is in the process of writing.
  • King Menkaure (Mycerinus) and queen, 2490–2472 B.C.E., greywacke, 142.2 x 57.1 x 55.2 cm (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
    2490 BCE

    King Menkaure (Mycerinus) and queen, 2490–2472 B.C.E., greywacke, 142.2 x 57.1 x 55.2 cm (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

    Two almost life-size statues, or a dyad, were made from a single block of greywache, which is dark and smooth like silk. This Dyad depicts King Menkaure and Queen standing close together. It is known to be common that kings were depicted in artwork with their left foot forward, yet this dyad shows the Queen's left foot forward as well. https://smarthistory.org/king-menkaure-mycerinus-and-queen/?tl=king-menkaure-mycerinus-and-queen&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Wooden Tomb Statue of TjetiNude figure of the Seal Bearer Tjetji, 2321–2184 B.C.E. (6th Dynasty), from Akhmim, Upper Egypt, wood, obsidian, limestone, and copper, 75 cm high (© The Trustees of the British Museum, London)
    2321 BCE

    Wooden Tomb Statue of TjetiNude figure of the Seal Bearer Tjetji, 2321–2184 B.C.E. (6th Dynasty), from Akhmim, Upper Egypt, wood, obsidian, limestone, and copper, 75 cm high (© The Trustees of the British Museum, London)

    In Egypt, fine wood was scarce and expensive, this art piece that was commissioned by Tjeti had been made in pieces. Doing this tells us Tjeti must have been important and wealthy during the 6th dynasty. https://smarthistory.org/wood-tomb-statue-tjeti/?tl=wood-tomb-statue-tjeti&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Period: 2030 BCE to 1640 BCE

    Middle Kingdom

    A period of Egyptian political reunification under the rule of one king. During this time period, much of Egypt connected and interacted more with the outside world, such as Syria and Nubia. This era was very rich in literature and produced large amounts of unique works of art. https://smarthistory.org/middle-kingdom-and-second-intermediate-period-introduction/?tl=middle-kingdom-and-second-intermediate-period-introduction&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Apotropaic wand, 12th dynasty, hippopotamus ivory, Thebes, Upper Egypt, 37 cm long (© Trustees of the British Museum)
    1991 BCE

    Apotropaic wand, 12th dynasty, hippopotamus ivory, Thebes, Upper Egypt, 37 cm long (© Trustees of the British Museum)

    This "knife" or throwstick was made during the Middle Kingdom period out of hippopotamus ivory. Images carved into the artwork depict half-animal, half-human figures, which represent life cycles such as childbirth, infancy, and death in Egyptian culture. https://smarthistory.org/apotropaic-wand/?tl=apotropaic-wand&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Standing Hippopotamus, ca. 1961–1878 B.C.E., Egypt, Middle Kingdom, faience, 7 7/8″ x 2 15/16″ x 4 7/16″ / 20 cm x 7.5 cm x 11.2 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). Video from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
    1961 BCE

    Standing Hippopotamus, ca. 1961–1878 B.C.E., Egypt, Middle Kingdom, faience, 7 7/8″ x 2 15/16″ x 4 7/16″ / 20 cm x 7.5 cm x 11.2 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). Video from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

    This small egyptian ceramic-clay-made figure, faience, was found in a tomb and was thought to be believed by ancient Egyptians could magically come to life. Standing Hippopotamus has its front left leg intact, while it is missing three legs, which are modernly restored. https://smarthistory.org/standing-hippopotamus/?tl=standing-hippopotamus&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Scarab pendant, 1897–1878 B.C.E., 12th Dynasty, made under Senusret II, ancient Egypt, electrum, lapis lazuli, carnelian, and feldspar, 3.5 cm across for the wing span (© Trustees of the British Museum)
    1897 BCE

    Scarab pendant, 1897–1878 B.C.E., 12th Dynasty, made under Senusret II, ancient Egypt, electrum, lapis lazuli, carnelian, and feldspar, 3.5 cm across for the wing span (© Trustees of the British Museum)

    This ancient Egyptian pendant was made out of gold and silver alloy during the 12th dynasty, Middle Kingdom. In the shape of a winged Scarab, in ancient Egypt, this symbol represents new life and rebirth. https://smarthistory.org/scarab-pendant-2/?tl=scarab-pendant-2&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Period: 1550 BCE to 1070 BCE

    New Kingdom

    New Kingdom period began in the 18th century, where war and siege for power were sought by high-ranking officials either through battle or through political foreign policy. Often considered to be the peak of ancient Egyptian culture, this era consisted of warrior kings who sought to expand Egyptian borders and exploit valuable resources. https://smarthistory.org/new-kingdom-third-intermediate-period-introduction/?tl=new-kingdom-third-intermediate-period-introduction&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Statuette of Thutmose IV, 1400–1390 B.C.E., 19th Dynasty, ancient Egypt, bronze, silver, calcite, 14.7 x 6.4 cm (© Trustees of the British Museum)
    1400 BCE

    Statuette of Thutmose IV, 1400–1390 B.C.E., 19th Dynasty, ancient Egypt, bronze, silver, calcite, 14.7 x 6.4 cm (© Trustees of the British Museum)

    The figure depicts Thutmose IV kneeling in garments of the pharaoh while holding two orbs. Made from bronze, silver, and calcite, this statuette had survived from being melted down since those materials were very scarce during the New Kingdom. https://smarthistory.org/bronze-statuette-of-thutmose-iv/?tl=bronze-statuette-of-thutmose-iv&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Head of Tutankhamun, c. 1336–1327 B.C.E. (New Kingdom, Amarna Period), indurated limestone, 17.2 x 16 x 23.6 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York). Video from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
    1336 BCE

    Head of Tutankhamun, c. 1336–1327 B.C.E. (New Kingdom, Amarna Period), indurated limestone, 17.2 x 16 x 23.6 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York). Video from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

    Made from indurated limestone, the head of Tutankhamun depicts a six-year-old King Tut during his coronation. The statue has a large hand behind his head, suggesting a larger piece. https://smarthistory.org/head-of-tutankhamun/?tl=head-of-tutankhamun&sidebar=africa-before-1500
  • Cult Image of the God Ptah, Third Intermediate Period–early Dynasty 26, c. 945–600 B.C.E., lapis lazuli, Egypt (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
    945 BCE

    Cult Image of the God Ptah, Third Intermediate Period–early Dynasty 26, c. 945–600 B.C.E., lapis lazuli, Egypt (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

    Only two inches high, the lord of Upper and Lower Egypt, Ptah, is depicted in this artwork as blue. Made from lapis lazuli with a small amount of gold embedded inside it. https://smarthistory.org/cult-image-god-ptah/?tl=cult-image-god-ptah&sidebar=africa-before-1500