Manchester and Liverpool decorated snakes

Reading another wonderful post by Campbell Price today on the Manchester Museum's blog, I noticed a neat connection. He shows an ostracon from Deir el-Medina with an image of Amun-Re as a ram, preceded by an image of a rearing cobra or snake.  I couldn't help but to be struck by the similarity in design with this clay cobra figurine from Amarna now in the Liverpool museum. Here's a picture that I took of it (the published photo in the article I am working on will be much higher quality—it was a bit dark when I took this). It's missing its head and the base, but the colours are still bright and vibrant! 

Liverpool 56.21.685 clay cobra figurine from Amarna

Snake of the Week! British Museum Cobra Figurine

This was one of the first cobras that I noticed. It is a beautiful example—painted, with an "offering tray" applique in the center, and a miniature snake on either side (now broken). The eyes are made with little buttons of clay. It had what might be a crown or disk on its head, now broken. Although it might look large, it is really only about hand high. In 1921  one was found in Amarna. The excavators state that it was found in the "living room" of #8 Long Wall Street in the Workman's Village amongst other domestic items, including jewelry. You can just imagine an Egyptian placing this in the room to ward away demons, or hoping that it will help channel prayers for abundance to the goddess...


It is on display now in the Nebamun gallery of the British Museum, and well worth a view. The photo does not do it justice!

For more information from the British Museum, click here!

Ancient Egyptian Demonology Internship available

YAY!   My proposal for a research internship has been approved! If you are a Swansea University student and interested in applying as my

Investigator Apprentice for Ancient Egyptian Demonology Project 

please visit

http://salt.swan.ac.uk/en/interns.htm.

Project proposer: Dr Kasia Szpakowska

Project Description: This internship will assist in the final stages of the investigation of the numerous clay cobra figurine fragments found in Late Bronze Age settlements and military sites in Egypt and the Levant. The Egyptians took them with them on their travels to help as divine avatars and repellants of demons. This project is a discrete and focussed strand of the Ancient Egyptian Demonology Project: an interdisciplinary collaborative investigation that aims to create a demonology of hostile and benevolent entities, and related paraphernalia. The cobra project lays the foundation for the innovative data-driven approach that will be used for other strands.

Internship role: The role of the intern will be help input data, quantify the results, interpret statistics, map artefacts onto excavation reports, and assist the project leader in tracking down evidence in the library, online and other sources.

Internship duration: 1st July 2012 - 31st August 2012(8 weeks)

Where will the intern be based: Swansea

Person specification: The intern must be computer literate and proficient in navigating the library, as well as having a strong desire to work with databases and statistics (experience in these areas would be advantageous). A keen interest in applying digital technology to the study of the ancient world is required. The student must enjoy quantification, paying close attention to detail and be able to work independently.

Ideally the intern should have an Egyptological background, but a candidate with a strong background in data-driven research, quantification or statistics with an interest in Egyptology or archaeology would also be welcome. An affinity for detective work is a definite plus.

Benefits to the intern: The intern will not only practice Egyptological research, but will also gain practical skills using a database, quantifying data, and interpreting statistics. It will be of particular benefit to those interested in interdisciplinary research, and in applying the most current technology to investigating the past.

Anubis, motorcycles and fun!

Fun thing of the day: if only Anubis rode a motorcycle, what would it be? A chopper of course -- like THIS one!

Snakes, Torture, and Demons in Rhode Island

Just back from ARCE's annual conference in Rhode Island. As usual, a wonderful event. Highlights this year included a discussion on the skeleton of an individual who had obviously been painfully tortured, lots of digital technology and databases being used, demonology (including a Bes with rather muscular legs), and of course, my favourite, snakes - this time in the form of Renenutet breastfeeding the gods. I learnt more about the milk ejection reflex than I ever expected to know!

There was also good feedback on my presentation of the breakage experiments we have been carrying out. In particular I now have a good recipe for a mud-brick floor to use if we can ever make ones in the future. Unfortunately I got the recipe while deep in discussions at the Temple bar, so the details are sketchy, but I seem to recall 2 layers of cardboard with mud on top...

Speaking of the Temple bar, the hotel itself is built on top of a Masonic temple, with the foundations of it remaining intact (as the Temple bar and restaurant).

There were also questions about the usefulness of making the cobras from clay in Egypt. The question was asked whether the specific location would make a difference (so would figurines made from Theban clay be different from that of clay in the Delta). It was suggested that since all the Nile silt clays come from the same source (the sediment of the Nile) it in fact might not matter at all. Clay from the Levant would be very different. But it would be useful to know how much of a difference it would make. If it turned out that the same fracture patterns appear regardless of whether Egyptian or Welsh clay were used, this could guide future experiments. Maybe somebody already knows the answer to this ...

Throughout the conference, it became clear that Notability is my note-taking software of choice. I tried a few, but this one really worked for me!