Thousands of years ago, ancient Egyptian tombs served as hidden art galleries. These tombs served as a gateway between the worlds of the living and the dead. They stored funerary statuettes and used turquoise as a medium between the two. While modern tombs are no longer used for this purpose, Egyptian tombs are still worth visiting. Listed below are some ways to store art in an Egyptian tomb. To learn more about these ancient artifacts, read on.
Ancient Egyptian tombs were like secret art galleries
Throughout Egypt’s history, tombs were like secret art museums. Not only were they packed with ancient artwork, but these treasures spoke to a group of visitors as well. These treasures were meant to connect the dead to the living, and a god-like presence could visit the tombs in a moment of devotion. Ancient Egyptian tombs were considered to be a sort of gateway to the afterlife, and they acted as such.
They served as a point of contact between the land of the living and the land of the dead
Egyptian tombs and other places of storage in Egypt served as a point of contact between the living and the dead. The Book of the Dead was written on papyrus scrolls and illustrated with elaborate vignettes. It was first published in the First Intermediate Period, but its use ceased in the first century BCE. However, some artistic motifs derived from the Book of the Dead were still used in Roman times. For example, the heart of Hunefer was weighed in Spell 125, which was first known during the reign of Hatshepsut and Tuthmose III.
They were used to store funerary statuettes
In ancient Egypt, art storage was often used for funerary statuettes. The purpose of statues was to provide a place for the deceased or divine recipient to manifest themselves. The statues were placed in architectural settings or niches that naturally encourage frontality. The Egyptians did not believe that these statues were meant to be viewed from the back. They were meant to be seen from the front, however, and in this case they were.
They used turquoise
Turquoise is one of the oldest metals known to mankind. Ancient Egyptians valued turquoise more than gold and used it in a variety of art forms. The word turquoise comes from the French term “turquoise,” which means Turkish, and it was probably brought to Europe through Turkey. Ancient Egyptians also adorned themselves with turquoise. For example, the 15th century double-headed serpent was adorned with 15,000 pieces of turquoise mosaic. Turquoise symbolizes fertility and renewal. The snake figures were intended to instill fear.
They used mother-of-pearl
The use of mother-of-pearl dates back to ancient Egypt. This material is made from the inner lining of certain mollusks and is more common than pearls. It is used for a variety of purposes, from decorative accents to home decor to distinctive jewelry pieces. The ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Mesopotamians were all familiar with mother-of-pearl and used it for jewelry and home decor. Scientists interpret these inlays as evidence of the sophistication of Mesopotamian society.
They used cowrie shells
Native Americans of the Amazon and West Papua used cowrie shells as art storage, but their uses went beyond that. Cowry shells are used to create jewelry, cell phone covers, and youth friendship bands. In addition, they are often used as dice and as monetary exchange. Museums and cultural institutions around the world display cowry shells as part of the collection. Cowrie shells are also symbolic of continents and cultures.
They used ivory
Ivory is a versatile material for many uses. It can be carved into a wide variety of pieces, from carvings to sculptures. This material was commonly used by Egyptian artists in the second and third millennia BCE. The most famous example is the Heqa Sceptre, found in the oldest predynastic tomb in the Abydos cemetery. In addition to the statuettes, Egyptian artifacts were also commonly carved in bone and ivory.
They used carnelian
Carnelian is a reddish-orange stone that has many ancient Egyptian uses. The ancient Egyptians viewed it as a protective stone and even suggested putting it at the throat of the corpse when embalming. Carnelian talismans were believed to bring the dead good luck and were worn by pharaohs and architects as status symbols. It was also thought to help with digestion and avert calamities.