Hieroglyphs: A Glimpse into the Ancient World

Hieroglyphs are an ancient form of writing that was used by the Egyptians and other cultures, such as the Mayans. Hieroglyphs are composed of pictographic characters, which represent objects, ideas, or sounds. There are many artworks in The Metropolitan Museum that feature hieroglyphs, including paintings, reliefs, and sculptures. These artworks offer a glimpse into the ancient world and the way that different cultures used hieroglyphs to communicate.

Model Jar Inscribed for Sennefer and Senetnay

   This jar is made of solid stone, with only a small depression at the top
   It was never intended to be functional, but was a model used as part of the owner's burial equipment
   The shape imitates a ceremonial hes-vase that would have been used for pouring libations
   The inscription names the Mayor of Thebes Sennefer and his wife, the Royal Nurse Senetnay
   Senetnay was the wet-nurse of Amenhotep II and another title "one who nurtured the body of the god" indicates that she lived into the king's reign
   Because of her close relationship with the king, Senetnay was given the privilege of burial in the royal cemetery now known as the Valley of the Kings
   Several dozen model jars inscribed with her name (and sometimes with that of her husband as well) were discovered in and around the entrance of KV
   Four of these, including this one, a small jug, and two pear-shaped jars are now on view in gallery
   For more information on the jars and KV 42, see the Curatorial Interpretation below
   This jar is made of solid stone, with only a small depression at the top
   It was never intended to be functional, but was a model used as part of the owner's burial equipment
   The shape imitates a ceremonial hes-vase that would have been used for pouring libations
   The inscription names the Mayor of Thebes Sennefer and his wife, the Royal Nurse Senetnay
   Senetnay was the wet-nurse of Amenhotep II and another title "one who nurtured the body of the god" indicates that she lived into the king's reign

Dummy Jar Inscribed for Sennefer and Senetnay

    This jar is a model made of solid stone that was intended as a piece of burial equipment.
    The inscription names the Royal Nurse Senetnay who lived into the reign of her nursling, Amenhotep II.
    As wet-nurse of a king, she was granted burial in the royal cemetery now called the Valley of the Kings.

Reliefs from the tomb of Bakenrenef

    These reliefs come from the monumental rock-cut tomb of the vizier, Bakenrenef, who served under Psamtik I of the 26th Dynasty.
    The blocks from around the false door (11.150.50a) and the ceiling blocks to the right (11.150.50b1) come from the innermost room and the pillared hall; the remainder (11.150.50c; 11.150.d1-9) derive from a smaller room with walls covered with magical texts.

Shabti of Sennedjem

    This shabti is inscribed for the "Servant in the Place of Truth" Sennedjem.
    Shabtis were intended to substitute for the deceased owner if his spirit was asked to perform manual labor in the afterlife.
    To this end, these small funerary figurines often clutch a hoe and a pick and have one or two baskets hanging over their shoulders on the back.
   They are also usually inscribed with a version of Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead.

Stela of the Overseer of the Fortress Intef

    The stela proclaims the name of King Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II ca.
   2051 - 2000 B C., the founder of the Middle Kingdom.
    In the same line, the Stella's owner, Intef, refers to himself as "his (the king's) servant."

Block Statue of Ankhwennefer

    Ankhwennefer is shown squatting on the ground.
    The artist of the Ankhwennefer statue has achieved a sensitive blend of the abstract block form with organic details that are especially noticeable in the face, in the profile view of the body and in the beautifully expressive feet.
    The slight lift of the face is thought to be directed towards the sun.

Door Jamb of Rau

    The inscriptions on the jambs state that Rau's tomb was given as a favor from Thutmose III.
    The text goes on to say that the tomb was to take the "exact form" of Thutmose's temple Djeser-akhet at Deir el-Bahri.
    Rau was also Chief Steward of the god Amun whose principal temple was at Karnak on the east bank of the Nile.
    Rau's tomb was probably somewhere in the Theban necropolis, perhaps in Dira Abu el-Naga, a cemetery directly across the river from Karnak.
    Wherever the name of the god Amun appears in the text, it has been erased, probably during the reign of Akhenaten, near the end of Dynasty 18.
    The god's name was later restored.
    At the bottom of each jamb, Rau is depicted seated before an offering table.

Dummy Jar Inscribed for Sennefer and Senetnay