(Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt)
A stone tablet made by an ancient Egyptian artist. This tablet was found in 1897 at the ruins of the Temple of Horus at Nekhen. The artifact has two decorated sides and probably shows the unification of Egypt. Before the unification Egypt was divided into two parts: Upper Egypt (the mountainous Southern Egypt) and Lower Egypt (Northern Egypt). Depicted on both sides is the 1st dynasty pharaoh Narmer (reign 32nd or 32st century BC). On the left Narmer is shown carrying the bulbous white crown of Upper Egypt (Southern Egypt). The pharaoh is holding a kneeling prisoner (usually identified as the king of Lower Egypt, Northern Egypt) and is about to kill the prisoner with a mace. On the left of the pharaoh is a man bearing the king's sandals. On the right of the pharaoh is a falcon (the god Horus) who is perched above papyrus flowers, the symbol of Lower Egypt. At the bottom are two bearded men - defeated enemies of pharaoh Narmer. On the right side again pharaoh Narmer is shown - now with the red crown of Lower Egypt. Behind Narmer is his personal sandelbearer and in front of him is a long-haired man and four standard bearers and a pile of killed enemies. Below the scene with Narmer are two men who are holding two mythical animals called 'serpopards' (the combination of a serpent and a leopard) with intertwined necks - probably representing the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. At the bottom of the tablet is a bull who is knocking down the walls of a city while trampling on a fallen foe (probably symbolizing the pharaoh who is defeating down his enemies). On both sides of the tablet are at the top two heads of the cow goddess Bat with between them a serekh with the name of Narmer in it.. The purpose of this large tablet is unknown - a palette was commonly used for grinding cosmetics but this one is to large (64 cm x 42 cm) for that. Palette from 3200-3000 B.C.
