Society for the Promotion of the Egyptian Museum Berlin

Egyptian Nile Valley

  • Foto: Zwei Nilpferdfiguren
  • Foto: Modell
  • Decorated Lyre
  • Game and gaming pieces of  Sennefer
  • Vase decorated with representations of animals
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Room 0.01: Nile valley habitat

The large number of model boats and reliefs illustrate the deep bond which connected the Egyptians with the life-giving waters of the Nile.Grain and fruit were laid in the tomb while the mummy was adorned with floral wreaths. Small figurines show the manifold variety of animals such as the hippopotamus, ape, dog, shrew and hedgehog in Egypt.
The main theme depicted on the Egyptian tombs is agricultural work, but hunting and fauna are other popular subjects. The reliefs gain in forcefulness through the narrative episodes e.g. the weary farmer who has fallen asleep under a tree, and by the characterisation of the features of individuals: workers, in contrast to the tomb owner, do not wear wigs but are close-cropped or unkempt. The Syrian palace guard is seen drinking his beer in a most unusual way, through a straw.
Since food was also considered essential in the hereafter foodstuffs and the farming implements were placed in the grave. Small wooden models show the ongoing work, forms of kitchen utensils, storage containers, jars and jugs give clues use. Plain vessels were used for water and beer while vessels used to hold wine were often painted with floral motifs. To pass the time various musical instruments such as the lyre, oboe, harp or lute, as well as board games were available.Women as well as men used cosmetics and wore jewellery.
Stone artefacts, pottery and jewellery dating to the 4th millennium BC - bear witness to an age of technological progress.The pictures decorating the Nagada vases illustrate the world view of the early Nile Valley inhabitants. The animal sculptures fashioned of hard stone depict divine powers which retained their animal forms also historical times.



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