The Palette of King Narmer

How tall and what year is the Palette of King Narmer?

Palette is over two feet tall

3000 BCE

What is the central depression used for?

The central depression is used for grading protective paint, Egyptians used around their eyes to protect from the sun rays

What temple was the palette found in, why is it important?

The palette was found in the temple of Hiearakonpolis. It was important as it was buried with other offerings to the god: Horus

What was the palette of king warmer used for?

It was used for religious and administrative purposes

What do the hieroglyphs spell on the top right of of the palette?

The hieroglyphs spell Narmer’s name

What type of carvings are on the sides of the palette of king narmer?

There are shallow relief carvings in registers decorated on both sides of the palette.

What is shown on the left Palette what is King Narmer doing?

On the left King Narmer holds a fallen enemy by the hair raising his mance. The enemy is naked a way to humiliate him.

What view does the king appear to be in?

The king appears to be in the composit view - frontal eye view/ shoulders and arms profile of head and legs. Means power and authority

What is King Narmer wearing on the left palette?

Narmer wears a crown of upper Egypt. His kilt hangs a bull tail. This is a symbol of power kings wore as a ceremonial dress for 3,000 years

What does Narmer’s large scale mean compared to the others?

Narmer’s large scale suggests authority

Who is behind king Narmer?

An attendant is behind the king carrying his sandals

What is to the right of King Narmer?

To the right of Narmer is a falcon resting on a papyrus stand, growing from a human head on a strip of land. The falcon holds a rope attached to the face.

What is Narmer wearing on the right side of the palette?

Narmer is wearing a red crown of lower Egypt.

What is King Narmer inspecting on the right palette?

Narmer is inspecting rotting bodies of prisoners - their heads are arranged between their legs.

What is on the centre of the left palette?

In the centre two animals are placed - who’s necks are twisted forming a circle of compositions

What is does the bull symbolise on the lower right palette?

The bull represents the king, attacking the city and trampling down the enemy.

What are some literal and symbolic examples on the palette?

Literal - king, prisoners and attendants. Symbolic - king as bull

What are pictograms?

Small symbols based on abstract representations of concepts.

What is the message of the palette of King Narmer?

The message is about Egyptian kingship. King embodies upper and lower Egypt through human as Horus.

Narmer is between mortals and gods a lesser god. His role was to enforce order - over chaos this is seen on the palette

What writing system did the Egyptians develop and what form of writing systems did the Mesopotamians create?

Egyptians developed hieroglyphs and the Mesopotamians created a cuneiform at the same time

Where was the statue of Knafra found?

The statue of Knafra was found in the hall in the valley temple of knafra. 2500 BCE

Why is the upright pose of the statue of Knafra important?

Knafra pose is important as his straight sitting pose allowed him watch, in religious practices. Behind Knafra’s head is a Falcon - Norous spreading his wings to protect Knafra

What are some of the qualities that reflect kingship on the sculpture?

Knafra’s muscular form - power

smooth face - eternal nature

Horcus declares the king as his earthly manifestation

Menkaure and his wife 2515 BCE

This two figures shares similar features with each other can you name some?

Both figures are the same height, both have a left foot forward. This creates unity

What stone is Menkaure and his wife 2515 BCE carved out of?

The statue is carved out of lime stone, it’s also painted and has rock crystal pupils to animate eyes.

Why did robbers remove the statues eyes?

Fearful robbers removed the statue’s eyes before looking in tombs at as they were scared

What do the inscriptions describe on the Menkaure and his wife 2515 BCE sculpture?

They describe that Menkaure is a government official and the wife is a dependent of the king.