Questions and Answers
What is the date range of the Palette of King Narmer?
Where was the Palette of King Narmer discovered?
Among a group of sacred implements in an early temple of the falcon god Horus at Hierakonpolis.
Describe the physical characteristics of the Palette of King Narmer.
More than 2 feet tall, carved palette made of greyish-green siltstone, decorated with detailed low relief on both faces.
What was the Palette of King Narmer used for?
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Why is the Palette of Narmer considered to be so important?
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What do we see represented on the Palette of King Narmer?
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What are some possible interpretations of the Palette of Narmer?
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Study Notes
Palette of King Narmer
- Dates back to 3000 - 2920 B.C.E and is a significant artifact from ancient Egypt.
- Crafted from greyish-green siltstone and measures over 2 feet in height.
- Features intricate low relief decoration on both sides, depicting King Narmer in various scenes.
Discovery and Location
- Unearthed in Hierakonpolis, the first capital of Egypt, as part of a ritual deposit in a temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
Functionality
- Serves as a monumental cosmetic palette for grinding and mixing minerals used in cosmetics, likely utilized in temple rituals.
Iconographic Importance
- Notable for its formal characteristics that influenced Egyptian art for three millennia, including:
- Representation of figures and organized scenes in horizontal registers.
- Use of hierarchical scale to signify the importance of individuals.
- Iconography associated with royal regalia: crowns, kilts, royal beard, and more.
Visual Elements and Imagery
- Displays King Narmer depicted twice in human form, alongside a sandal-bearer.
- Narmer may also symbolize a bull, showcasing power through the destruction of a walled city, a motif associated with pharaohs.
- Features two entwined serpopards—mythical leopards—with attendants, defining the makeup preparation area.
- Uppermost register highlights hybrid human-bull heads and features Narmer’s name; the lowest register showcases defeated enemies.
Interpretations of the Palette
- Viewed as a record of the unification of Egypt under Narmer, evidenced by his wearing of both Upper and Lower Egypt crowns.
- Suggested that images may hold ceremonial significance, reflecting themes of order and chaos within Egyptian cosmology.
- May also relate to the solar cycle and the journey of the sun god, a recurring element in Egyptian mythology.
- Scenes depict the victorious Narmer approaching decapitated enemies, encapsulating themes of dominance and divine mandate in his dual crown representation.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the Palette of King Narmer, a significant artifact from ancient Egypt dating back to 3000-2920 B.C.E. Explore its cultural context, discovery location, and historical significance. Perfect for students of archaeology and Egyptian history.