Egypt
Like people in ancient Mesopotamia, early Egyptians used a formal writing system called “medu netjer” to communicate ideas, beliefs, and historical events. “Medu netjer” translates to “words of the gods.” Early Egyptians named their writing this way because they believed writing was a divine invention. The word that we are most familiar with for this writing system is “hieroglyphics” from the Greek words “hiero” for “sacred” and “glypho” for “writing”.
Hieroglyphs appear in Egypt around 3100 BCE, immediately before the beginning of dynastic kingship. Egyptian texts tell us a lot about the day-to-day lives of early Egyptians, highlighting how their beliefs were not only present but directly influenced the development of their writing system.
The symbols, called hieroglyphs, were inspired by the landscape, celestial bodies, animals, and abstract concepts. Some of these glyphs hold multiple meanings depending on the context. For example, a scarab hieroglyph can represent the sun, but it also represents for the Egyptian god Khepri who embodied transformation, protection, and renewal.
Hieroglyphics are found on many objects, including monuments, official documents, religious texts, and other everyday objects. Look closely at the hieroglyphics on this Egyptian Vase in LACMA’s collection. Describe the shapes and lines you see. Do they remind you of anything?
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Small Egyptian Vase, Small Egyptian Vase (AC1998.116.2), Early Dynastic Period, ca. 2700 BCE Calcite, Diameter 2 ¼ in (5.7 cm), Egyptian Art
In the Egyptian Vase example, we can see hieroglyphics inscribed, or carved into, one side of the vase. Although we may not know precisely how this vase was used, the text gives us a clue about who may have owned this object. The inscriptions are carved within a cartouche, an oval or oblong-shaped outline enclosing a group of hieroglyphs. The cartouche indicates that the enclosed hieroglyphs are part of a royal name. This suggests that the vase possibly belonged to royalty.
Mold with Cartouche of Akhenaten, Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Akhenaten (1372 - 1355 BCE), Tools and Equipment; molds, Terracotta, Overall: 15/16 x 3/4 in. (2.38 x 1.91 cm); Imprint: 5/8 x 1/4 in. (1.59 x .64 cm), Gift of Jerome F. Snyder (M.80.202.341), Egyptian Art
In the mold, the name of Akhenaten, a pharaoh of the New Kingdom, is depicted within a cartouche. If we look closely, we can see that his name includes the image of a feather and a long-beaked bird called an ibis. The feather references the goddess Ma’at, a representation of order and justice, often shown in artwork with wings or ostrich feathers. The bird references the god Thoth, a representation of wisdom, who was often depicted as the ibis. Just from how his name was written, we can guess that Akhenaten was a pharaoh associated with justice and wisdom.
If you were a pharaoh, what symbols would you use in your cartouche to represent the type of ruler you might be?
Similar to other early cultures, Egyptians also used seals as a form of communication, often in the form of stamp seals. Stamp seals were pressed into a softer material, like clay, or onto a writing surface, like papyrus, after the ink had been applied to it. Here is a 3D example of a stamped seal from LACMA’s collection:
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Scarab with Four Baboons Worshiping a Lotus Blossom, New Kingdom (1569 -1081 BCE), Stone, ⅞ in x ⅝ in (2.22 x 1.58 cm), Egyptian Art
Follow-Up Questions:
- What are some images you see on this seal?
- What do you think those images represent?
- Stamp seals impress images unique to the owner or maker and are usually used to sign documents and artwork.
- What kind of symbols would you put on your stamp seal?