VISITING ANCIENT EGYPT
R. G. Iyer
Article opens:
Have you ever wondered how the treasure of Middle kingdom
during 1900 – 1600 BC could amaze historians? Recalling the
artistic necklaces and cosmetic jars of Amethyst and Carmelian, one can’t even guess how creative and innovative skills could be developed during such primitive age! How Egyptian conserved their age-old treasure of arts, culture, and social activities? How Egyptian people maintained their traditional values and invaluable jewels of Egyptian Kings are preserved?
A large volume of arts and paintings adorns museum all over the world. and thus became renown as early as BC 1900. How Egyptian works could occupy a distinctive place in today’s museum? A detailed study of the Egyptian way of life will clearly show how this civlisation could play an important role for evolution progressively. Some of the modern aspects of life were well known to ancient Egypt people.
More importantly, their life could evolve a new civilization during the period 1000 – 600 (BC). One wonders how such a priceless treasure with artistic
excellence could be safely preserved.
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The Egyptian works make up over 60 percent of the collection. George Andrew Reisner, a real “Indiana Jones” working for Harvard and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, excavated many in the early years of the 20th Century. For nearly five decades, he traveled up and down Egypt, discovering and documenting many treasures of antiquity. While the Egyptian government retained some of these works, many others were shipped to Boston to become part of one of the most distinguished collections of antiquities in the country.
Creative works of Ancient Egypt include mace heads used to by Egyptian soldiers 6000 years ago, and pottery made from clay found on the banks of the Nile about 3500 B.C. Other pieces from the earliest (predynastic) Egyptian period include beautifully wrought vessels in marble, alabaster and breccia. Notable items from the Old Kingdom ( 2600 – 2100 B.C.) include relief panels and statuary from the tomb of Nekhebu, the great building superintendent for tombs, temples, and irrigation projects for King Pepy I, about 2600 B.C. Nekhebu's tomb, or mastaba, was found by Reisner's team at the Northeast corner of the Great Pyramid at Giza .
How Egyptian people preserved their invaluable treasure? Middle kingdom (1900 – 1600 B.C.) treasures include items used by ancient Egyptians in their daily lives. Necklaces of Amethyst and Carnelian, cosmetic jars of serpentines and obsidian, and a mirror of copper alloy show how important personal adornment was to upper class Egyptians living 4000 years ago. The numerous New Kingdom (1550 – 1100 B.C.) offerings include fine statuary, brightly colored ceramic and faience vessels, and some household items of carved wood.
Thus it can be candidly seen that ancient Egypt people created a historic records of creating invaluable culture. They had discerning urge for enriching their hometowns by innovating new ideas. Recalling their social, cultural and economic affairs, we can certainly a great lesson.
Recalling about the way of life of Egyptian life, one can appreciate their capacity to create a distinctive civilization. Preserving artistic excellence requires importance given for hometown. How Egyptian people cherished their cultural excellence? This in turn helped them to preserve not artistic excellence but also in all walks of life.