Ancient Cultures assignment cover sheet

Course: Approaching the Ancient World through Text 2022-23

Portfolio 2

Title (if it is an essay): Ancient Egyptian Artefact Handling

Student number: 2815624O

Are you happy for your assignment to be used in future training of markers? Yes

Are you happy for your assignment to be used as an example for future students? Yes
Portfolio 2 Worksheet GUID: 2815624O

Object One: Vessel

Type of object: Black pottery vessel.

Dimensions: 8cm height and 5.2cm width.

Materials: Ceramic ware, probably painted black to imitate serpentine.

Findspot within tomb (if known): southeast corner of the burial chamber.

Short description (including key features): Has rounded base for stability on a flat
surface, a narrow neck, an everted rim, and a single handle, which fits comfortably in
the hand. Its burnished black surface displays incised straight lines and white dots,
possibly added with a pigment or due to paint deterioration.
Object Two: Jar

Type of object: Alabaster Jar

Dimensions: 3.3cm height and 2.9cm width

Materials: Alabaster

Findspot within tomb (if known): Northwest corner of the burial chamber (Cooney,
2008).
Short description (including key features): Has a round body with no handles, a
flattened wider base for stability on a flat surface, a small circular rim that indicates the
possibility of a missing lid, a smooth and refined translucent surface, of considerable
weight and visible black residue remains on the rim, indicating remnants of the
substance it once held.
Object Three: Bead

Type of object: scarab bead

Dimensions: 1.5cm length and 0.6cm width.

Materials: faience
Findspot within tomb (if known): unknown but assumed to have been found in the linen
wrappings of the dead (Cooney, 2008).
Short description (including key features): small, lightweight, blue-green amulet
encased in gold. Bears hieroglyphs on its base and crafted to depict the body and wings
of a beetle. Holes on both ends suggest being strung onto something perhaps, a tiny
metal cord.

2) Comparison of Objects one and two:

The black ceramic pottery vessel and small alabaster jar, both containers with intended
functionality, exhibit differences in their materiality, form, and decorative features. The
form of each object is reflective of their intended purpose and function. The black
vessel, with its uncomplicated design, narrow neck, and single handle, is indicative of its
use in ceremonial contexts to pour or serve liquids. The everted rim and narrow neck
facilitate ease of pouring while also preventing spillage. The light weight and rough
exterior texture provide a non-slip surface, rendering it easier to carry.
Conversely, the alabaster jar's exquisiteness, translucency, flattened base, heavy
weight, and lack of handle suggest a stationary positioning, used primarily for cosmetic
or personal hygiene purposes. The small circular rim indicates a possible missing lid,
while the thick material and smooth surface assist in keeping contents cool and fresh
for extended period.
The cultural and archaeological context reveals that pottery vessels were common items
in ancient Egypt, used for practical and ceremonial purposes. Alabaster was a rare and
precious material reserved for high-status objects. The alabaster jar was likely used for
personal hygiene and cosmetic purposes indicating that personal grooming was an
important aspect of ancient Egyptian culture, particularly for the upper class.

3) Handling notes on Object three:

The scarab bead was much smaller than I anticipated, I was struck by the
intricacy of its design and the high level of craftsmanship and precision required to
create such a tiny yet detailed object. The finely detailed hieroglyphs on the underside,
and the naturalistic depiction of a beetle's body and wings, were more impressive upon
observing it up close. The holes at both ends suggest that it may have been worn as a
personal amulet, adding a layer of intimacy to the object. The choice of green faience
and the depiction of a beetle, a symbol of rebirth and regeneration associated with the
god Khepri, underscore the deep symbolism and significance embedded in ancient
Egyptian art.

N.B: Images by author.

Bibliography
Brunton. G. and Engelbach, R. (1927). Gurob. London: BSAE.

Cooney, Kathlyn M., (2008). ‘Scarab’. In Willeke Wendrich (ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of
Egyptology. Los Angeles, pp. 1-11 Published online at:
http://escholarship.org/uc/item/13v7v5gd

Harrell, James A. (2017). ‘A preliminary overview of ancient Egyptian stone beads’.

Palarch Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 14(2), 1-16. Available online:
http://www.palarch.nl/wp-content/Harrell-Stone-Beads-2017-tEBP-PJAEE_14_2.pdf

Nicholson, Paul T; Shaw, Ian (2000). Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Available for a short time through Moodle]

Wodzińska, Anna (2009-2010). A Manual of Egyptian Pottery, 3 vols. Boston: Ancient

Egypt Research Associates.
Vol. 3 is most appropriate for this exercise and it’s available online:
http://www.aeraweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vol3_for_web.pdf