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| Wednesday, 18 January 2004 |
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Lost in wonder of ancient Egypt by Caryl Nugara The Egyptians (4000-600 BC) were one of the great people who brought civilization into existence. They continue living on the banks of the River Nile inhabiting the narrow valley formed by the river which cuts across the desert. The life and soul of Egypt is centred here and in the upper and lower areas around the estuary.
They worshipped the sun-god Re and many other gods praying daily for the river not to stop flowing. They understood that it could dry up in the scorching desert sun. They thrived on farming and agriculture thereby leading a prosperous life. They placed a lot of emphasis on art, architecture, sculpture and learning. Erudite scribes wrote in hieroglyphics on papyrus made from the long reeds growing along the Nile and in the marshes. Pharaoh was the despotic ruler who descended from Re according to an Egyptian myth and came down a line of dynastic rulers. Everyone paid homage and bowed down before him in awe. He had wealth in abundance and his queen was adorned in glittering jewels and finery. Not only did he conquer other lands but he captured all their wealth and took for himself everything they owned. Numerous slaves pledged to him mined the copper in Mount Sinai and gold in Nubia. His caravans crossed the desert fearlessly with weapons of war, precious stones of splendid hues and refined cloth beautifully embroidered with the blue water-lily design. Opulent palaces dominated the landscape of Memphis and Thebes. When Pharaoh was conveyed by a litter, the slaves would lash their whips to keep everyone away. Being religious they had amazing statues carved in wood and stone, some with heads of animals and birds. The temple Abu Simnel built during the reign of Romses II still stands somewhat in ruins but the statuesque row of pharaohs in sitting position are yet impressive. Vast temples were fashioned out of crystalline quartz, glittering plates of mica and sandstone. They built pyramids of remarkable precision using simple tools such as copper chisels, sledgers, levers, the go set square and market. According to Martin Robins in his book. 'The Ancient World', they could not have had transportation on wheels or pulleys to raise heavy weights. Probably slaves and prisoners would have been forced to do it. The Pyramids of Gaza and the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) still remain the largest stone architectural buildings in our world. Located deep inside the pyramids are the pharaohs burial chambers. When the desert sun sets in swathes of glorious orange and red tints these magnificent edifices seem to be painted in deep vermilion casting over-whelming shadows down below. Death They believed in life after death and had a good knowledge of embalming bodies so as to protect them from decay. The embalmers removed inner organs except the heart and then immersed it in brine. They also perforated the skull, removed its contents and poured hot resin into it before filling the hollowed space with linen. The body was coated inside and out with special salts, aromatic plant gum like myrrh, spices and oil and stuffed with fragrant herbs. Next it was wrapped with fine linen bandages and placed in a wooden coffin which in turn was put into yet another stone coffin. (sarcophagus) Finally it was positioned in a tomb in which scribes would paint scenes of the dead pharaoh's life. His was the richest, so it was concealed in the centre of a pyramid. Slaves worked manually and were even whipped in the process of constructing these awe-inspiring monuments which continue to remain wrapped in mystery while the sands of time have covered most of them. The Volley of the Kings winds its forlorn, desolate way into the hills quite close to the imposing city of Thebes. Entrances to the Pharaohs' tombs are located along the hillsides. Tutankhamen's Tomb had a chariot, a gold-plated throne, royal furniture, three golden coffins, valuable coins, turquoise jewellery and ornaments. There remained fragments of carved pottery and translucent pieces of fine ceramic ware and beautiful trinkets made of gold. A little article dated 1995 (Cairo) said that excavators discovered food offerings for their gods and well preserved delicacies like figs, raisins, spiced grains of cereal and pomegranates in gold goblets and jars. Mummies Archaeological excavation revealed the 4,000 years old mummified head of Yuaa, father-in-law of Amenophis III so well preserved that one can see the hair on his beard and eye-lashes too. Mummies of Zoser, Amosis and Amenhotep IV are examples of Egyptian embalmers expert technique. Queen Nefertifi's ravishing beauty has also been perfectly retained by skilful mummification and in lovely wall-paintings. In 1988 a modern scientific archaeologist found in Hawara hundreds of mummies heaped together in large stone-lined pits. They were all in good condition. Tim Bouquet in his article "Secrets of the mummy" writes about Artemidorus a high-born Egyptian who died in the 1st Century AD. After embalming his body, it was wrapped in 800 metres of linen bandages and sealed within a rare and excellent red casing. On the case there is a portrait of a handsome young man encircled with six elaborately decorated bands of gold leaf. This embellishment represented victory of the universe over the confusion that prevailed before the creation. Inscribed on the red-wood coffin lid was, "farewell Artemidorus" in Greek. (That is because Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BC and introduced Greek as a language.) Artemidorus was one of the last Egyptians to be mummified because when Christianity spread there, the "3000 years old elaborate art of preserving the dead for passage to immortality in Paradise" (quote) ceased altogether. It is interesting to note that Artemidorus facial features are very clear and look almost alive. He wears a gold wealth of leaves and berries on his dark brown hair and gold-edged linen garments. Ancient Egypt has had a tremendous impact on our modern world because Egyptian civilization is full of mystery, astonishment and wonder. **** Back **** |
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