Global Journal of Human Social Science, D: History, Archaeology and Anthroplogy, Volume 23 Issue 3

A Ramesside Stela Fragment with Unusual Offerings (Cairo Agricultural Museum, No.4286) Marzouk Al-Sayed Aman α & Barbara Gai σ © 2023 Global Journals Volume XXIII Issue III Version I 45 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 D Abstract- Publication of a Ramesside Stela fragment made of fine white limestone, with figure and remains of text engraved with a sunk inscription (figs. 1-2). The Stela is kept in Cairo Agricultural Museum and according to the museum register the stela bears identification no. 4286. The provenance of the stela is unknown. I. I ntroduction mong the collections of the Cairo Agricultural Museum Stela no. 4286 caught my eye when I saw it the first time because it has a large figural field of a deceased incised in sunk relief, with an offering table loaded with unusual offerings. This paper will study and classify this stela to determine the date of the stela, the owner of this stela and examine the offerings. The object in question was bought by the museum. II. D escriptionand S cene A fragment of stela of unpainted limestone, the surface was carefully prepared and it is smooth. Its representations are carved with skill and care, the top and parts of the damaged. The principal point of damage is the text, where all of it was broken except some words. In its present state, the measurements of the fragment is: height 19.5cm, breadth 19.5 cm. On the surviving portion of the stela, there is a scene in sunk relief showing the deceased (a) seated on a chair(b) with legs in the shape of a lion's paws 1 . The deceased legs are on a small platform without sandals. The deceased is shown, facing right, smelling a lotus flower 2 held in his left hand 3 , while the right rests on his thigh and grasps a strip of cloth 4 . The owner wears an ankle-length kilt(c) rising high at the back of the waist. 5 He is adorned with a broad collar and a long wig (d) that is partly worn. There is also a break on the owner’s head and chair. One can see also parts of the borderlines. The main points of interest are the offerings that are loaded on the offering table 6 in front of him. It is loaded with, from top to bottom one pomegranate fruit 7 has been depicted from the side (Cf. fig.3) on a vessel with a lid, perhaps the vessel was filled with pomegranate beverage 8 . The vessel has a faucet which emphasizes that the pot contains liquid for lowering the beverage. Two 1 Cf. Cruz-Uribe, Eugene, 1978, “The Father of Ramses I: OI 11456” , JNES, 37, No. 3, 238, Fig.1 2 The lotus-flower has a religious symbolism; it associates especially with ‘life’ and ‘rebirth’. Griffin, K. 2007," An ȝḫỉḳ rt n Ra Stela from the collection of the Egypt Centre, Swansea ", in T. Schneider and K. Szpakowska (eds.), Egyptian Stories: A British Egyptological Tribute to Alan B. Lloyed , Ugarit-Verlag: Münster ,142, n.55; Lurker, M. ,1996, An Illustrated Dictionary of The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Egypt, London, 52. 3 About the method of holding the stem of lotus-flower in the New Kingdom, which curves in an s-shape towards its holders' nose, see: Schäfer, H. 1980, Principles of Egyptian Art, Oxford, 41, fig.18(c); Cf. stela of Cincinnati Art Museum I947.55, Early Nineteenth Dynasty Martin, Geoffrey T.1982, "Two Monuments of New Kingdom Date in North American Collections" , JEA 68, 81-82, 84, Pl.IX (2); stela of Egyptian Museum 1/3/25/1 = S.R. 1397 belongs to Roma r-m a, 19 th Dynasty, probably from Deir el-Medina. See: Demarée, R. J., 1983, The ȝḫỉḳ rt n Ra Stelae on Ancestor Worship in Ancient Egypt, Leiden, 80, pl.VIII, A28. Stela of Pukentef, pw- ḳ ntw.f 19 th Dynasty Warsaw, National Museum MN 143341, from Deir el- Medina. Demarée, R.J., 1983, 31, pls.III XIV, A8. 4 This style points to the late Eighteenth or more probably the early Nineteenth Dynasty, stela is known from Deir el-Medina: Stela of Semet, Cincinnati Art Museum I947.55., see: Martin, Geoffrey T. 1982, 81, 4Pl. IX (2). See also Affara, Manal, 2010, "A New Kingdom Stela in the National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden", JARCE 46 , 151, fig.1. 5 Cf. Leiden Museum Stela V 51, Affara, Manal, 2010, 151, fig.1; See also the stela of Cincinnati Art Museum I947.55. Martin, Geoffrey T., 1982, 81-82, 84, Pl.IX(2), Glasgow Museum stela, 28au-13. Thomson, James K., 1997, "A Shield Bearer and Warrior of Ramesside Times ", JEA 83, 218- 219, fig.1. 6 The offering table consists of a stand with a tray. The style of the monument irresistibly points to the late Eighteenth or more probably the early Nineteenth Dynasty, stela is known from Deir el-Medina: Stela of Semet, Cincinnati Art Museum I947.55., see: Martin, Geoffrey T., 1982, 81, 84, Pl.IX2). 7 Cf. the gold necklace, MFA, Inv. No. 48.59.See: Terrace, Edward L.B., Jul. 1963, Ancient Egyptian Jewelry in the Horace L. Mayer Collection, AJA67 No. 3,272, pl.56, fig.14, no.27. 8 Pomegranate wine was found in ancient Egypt throughout New Kingdom period. See: Williams, Ronald J., 1972," Scribal Training in Ancient Egypt ", JAOS, 92.2 , 218; P. Anast. IV, 2, IV ,3 (which dates to the reign of Seti II , See Gardiner, A. H., 1937, Late Egyptian Miscellanies , Bruxelles, 37-38. ;Cf. Lilyquist, C., Hill, M., Allen, S., Roehrig C. H. , and Patch D.C., 2001 ," Egyptian Art", BMMA , New Series, Vol. 59, No. 1, Ars Vitraria: Glass in the Metropolitan Museum of Art ,14, fig.p.14. Other reference is from the New Kingdom love poetry P. Turin 1966, 1/2-4 refers to pomegranate wine. See: Thompson, Stephen E., Jan., 1994, "The Anointing of Officials in Ancient Egypt", JNES 53, No. 1 , 19 A Author α : Egyptology Department, Faculty of Arts, Assiwt University (Egypt). e-mail: dr-aman2010@hotmail.com Author σ : Graduating from the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy with a specialization in Egyptology, at the University of Firenze (Italy). 0120 484 412, Via dell’Arcolaio, 27, 50137-Firenze (Italy). Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia, Università degli Studi di Firenze (Italy). e-mail: tjaty@libero.it