Egyptian Art and Archaeology Midterm- Short/Essay answers

Explain how the various Pre- and Early dynastic palettes represented different symbolic manifestations of pharaonic power and how this echoed contemporary political developments.

Palettes displayed many meanings including hieroglyphics, important symbols, and stories. A lot of the time they had a purpose as well, like to mix cosmetics or materials. They were symbolic to Pharaonic power because they showed the importance that a Pharaoh played in society and in life. They had stories about important people in power, and I would say they echo contemporary political developments because nowadays we have specific statues and monuments that show the importance of important and powerful people in society. For example, the Narmer palette is engraved with a portrayal of evidence that the first political unification occurred in Egypt. This palette was used as a tool to depict the unification of upper and lower egypt under the rule of KIng Narmer in the first dynasty. This palette also contains some of the first hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found, and the image of King Narmer smiting an enemy would go on to become one of the most iconic representations of power and kingship in ancient Egyptian art.

How do Early Dynastic mace heads evolve as a form? Where would they have been placed? What is the significance of the (specific) reliefs that were carved upon them?

Mace-heads were a special artifact for the display of status and symbolized authority limited to noble and elite warrior classes. Mace heads evolved because they went from being shaped as a vase, to then being formed into head sculptures or life size statues. These mace heads are placed on display now, to show the authority that these higher people held, or in the coffins of these powerful people. The carvings on the mace heads were significant because if they stood out that meant that that part of the mace head was important/significant.

For the early pharaohs, how did the Heb-sed ritual become a projected symbol of power?

After a pharaoh had ruled for a significant length of time (30 years), the ritual was a means of reinvigorating and renewing their power and strength. It was a festival of renewal rooted in Egypt's most ancient history.
Ex. tomb of Den, ebony label found attached to a jar from the tomb of King Den shows the king running around the ritual course and carrying the Heb Sed insignia.
Pharaoh running back and forth stone represent him circling all through egypt, he is fit to rule, will be crowned again.
Djoser had a big Heb-Sed festival space in his tomb

What is significant about the discoveries in Tomb U-j at Abydos? What do they tell us about the evolution of writing and projections of pharaonic power during this period?

Bone ivory tags, pottery vessels, and clay seal impressions with hieroglyphs were unearthed at Tomb U-j at Abydos, which is one of the most ancient cities in upper egypt. This tomb has been dated back between 3320 and 3150 BCE, which makes these artifacts the earliest known examples of Egyptian writing. This tomb is best known for these discoveries, as they represent three distinctive forms of administrative record keeping of ancient egypt. It is suspected that the tags probably denote the quantities of goods and localities in Egypt and other places. By the time of this tomb, the egyptian writing system had already undergone important developments. However, linguistic terminology makes it possible to identify the various units of language. This tomb is believed to have belonged to a high ranking official during the early dynastic period.

What are the proposed purposes of the 'boat graves,' and how do they differ in form between Abydos and Giza?

Boat graves in Abydos and Giza represent the different burial practices for each city and community. In Abydos, boat graves primarily served a symbolic function, emphasizing the deceased's journey to the afterlife. These graves were boat-shaped puts, within which intricate models of boats were placed. The purpose of these was to provide the dead people with a way to navigate the waters of the afterlife, mirroring the belief in the importance of a safe transition. Contrastingly, the boat graves in Giza contained functional vessels with a more practical and ritualistic purpose. These pits contained fill-sized wooden boats which were intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife. They were designed to allow the pharaoh's soul to accompany the sun god Ra on his daily journey across the sky.

How does the temple and tomb complex of Montuhotep II at Deir el-Bahri draw upon developments in 'royal' burials from the First Intermediate Period while simultaneously innovating in its design? (If you answer this question, you cannot repeat the same information if you elect to answer Essay (2) below.)

Montuhotep II'smrepresents a pivotal transition between the chaos of the First Intermediate Period and the resurgence of centralized authority during the Middle Kingdom.
Hidden and hewn into the cliffs, following the rock-cut tomb tradition that was popular during the First Intermediate Period. It offers enhanced security and protection, aligning with the changing needs of the period.

Private tombs during the Middle Kingdom could employ either carved relief or painted scenes. What explanations have been given for why one might choose one over the other? What sorts of scenes do we have depicted?

More power in middle kingdom, but there is more access to different ways of afterlife
Non royal tombs, people chose painitn over carving sometimes because it was cost effective and also it is an artistic prefernce, fashion (all the colors and painting)
You get lots of variation and color in these non royal tombs, a wide range of paintings and colors
You get all standard motifs (animals, hunting, symbols, wresting poses, sports)
Painting was also used symbolocally for more everyday depiction swhile carving was generally more religiois or spiritual.
You get a lot of exotic fascination
You get paintings that look like comics, and that tell stories about all these people.
ex.Tomb of Djehuty-Hotep (look at slides)