DJEHOUT Y / CC BY-SA 4.0
Do you recognize this object?
1. Merneptah Stele
2. Arslan Tash Amulet
3. Narmer Palette
4. Mesha Stele
5. Siloam Tunnel Inscription
Answer: (3) Narmer Palette
PHOTO: ÁNGEL M. FELICÍSIMO / CC BY 2.0
Narmer is widely considered to be the founder of ancient Egypt’s First Dynasty. This palette, dating to c. 3100 BCE, depicts his unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. These two symbols also appear next to the king himself, without the serekh, on the palette face picturing Narmer with a flat crown.
PHOTO: ÁNGEL M. FELICÍSIMO / CC BY 2.0
The palette is also significant because it provides one of the earliest glimpses of hieroglyphic writing. Centered along the top edge of each face is a square enclosure called a serekh (literally “palace façade”), a precursor to the later cartouche design used to isolate royal names from what surrounds them. This serekh contains two glyphs, a catfish and a chisel, which are read together as Narmer, the king’s name. These two symbols also appear next to the king himself, without the serekh, on the face shown at left.
Do you recognize this object? 1. Merneptah Stele 2. Arslan Tash Amulet 3. Narmer Palette 4. Mesha Stele 5. Siloam Tunnel Inscription Answer: (3) Narmer Palette Narmer is widely considered to be the founder of ancient Egypt’s First Dynasty. This palette, dating to c. 3100 BCE, depicts his unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. These two symbols also appear next to the king himself, without the serekh, on the palette face picturing Narmer with a flat crown. The palette is also significant because it provides one of the earliest glimpses of hieroglyphic writing. Centered along the top edge of each face is a square enclosure called a […]
