Posts Tagged ancient Egypt
Krauss, R. 2009. Der Berliner „Spaziergang im Garten“ – antiker Murks oder moderne Fälschung? Mit einem Exkurs über Heinrich Schäfers Ägyptenaufenthalt 1898-1901. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 6, 1: 1-20
Posted by PalArch Editor (IN) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on April 8th, 2009
Abstract The relief slab Berlin 15000, popularly known as ‘the stroll in the garden’, which depicts a royal couple in Amarna style, was acquired around 1900 in Egypt on the art market, and thus lacks an archaeological provenance. Features in favour of its authenticity include the physical proportions of the figures, the anatomically ‘correct’ depiction of their feet, and their costume in general, though not in detail. Other features suggest the relief could be a forgery – for example, the fact that the figures are not typically ‘top-heavy,’ the use of the line customarily indicating the kilt for drawing the king’s lower left leg, the absence of compositional unity in a scene purportedly of the Amarna period, and iconographically unparalleled details of the queen’s sash and cloak. These and other factors, both pro and contra authenticity, are reviewed and considered.
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Harbort, J., Ö. Gürvit, L.A. Beck, T. Pommerening. 2009. Extraordinary dental findings in an Egyptian mummy skull by means of Computed Tomography. – PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 1, 1: 1-8
Posted by PalArch Editor (IN) in PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology on January 3rd, 2008
Abstract An ancient Egyptian mummy skull from the Zoological Collection Marburg, Germany, was examined using computer assisted tomography. In this skull (referred to as Mummy skull no. 24) of a man who lived circa 50 BC we found three of his teeth in the cranial cavity. They had been retained after their loss caused by periodontal disease, and were inserted into the cranial cavity via a trans-sphenoidal hole, probably during the process of mummification.
In this article we describe the reasons for the loss of these three teeth and consider possible motivations for this extraordinary conservation. We believe this is the first time such a procedure has been reported. It is discussed in an historical-religious context, emphasizing the mythological background.
Furthermore, the medico-pharmaceutical methods to cure periodontal disease are described with reference to the ancient Egyptian medical papyrus Ebers – in the case of Mummy skull no. 24 one of the causes of loss of teeth.
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