Vocabulary Flashcards
mastba
a flat-topped, rectangular tomb with sloping sides
palace facade
a design element resembling the facade of a palace, found in tombs and temples
uraeus
a stylized representation of a cobra used as a symbol of royalty and deity
sed festival
a celebration held after a pharaoh had ruled for 30 years, symbolizing renewal and the ruler’s continued strength
boundary ceremony
rituals conducted to mark and protect the boundaries of sacred or significant sites
ka
the spiritual essence or life force of an individual, often depicted as a twin to the physical body
nemes headdress
a striped headcloth worn by pharaohs, often adorned with the royal cobra (uraeus) and a false beard
relieving chamber
a chamber built above burial chambers in pyramids to distribute the weight of the structure and relieve stress on the lower chambers
pyramid texts
religious texts inscribed on the walls of pyramids, containing spells and rituals to guide the deceased pharaoh’s journey to the after life
sema tawy
symbol representing the unification of upper and lower egypt, often depicted as a plant with intertwined stems
palette
flat, often decorative, stone or wooden slabs used for grinding and mixing pigments, with some serving ceremonial or symbolic purposes
mace head
heavy, often decorated, rounded end of a mace, a weapon/ceremonial object, signifying power and authority
mummiform
resembling or shaped like a mummy, particularly in art/depictions of the deceased
shabti
small figurines placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife by performing tasks or labor on their behalf
was scepter
a symbol of power and dominion, featuring a straight staff with an animal head at the top, often associated with deities and pharaohs
corbel vault
a construction where stones gradually project inward to form a vaulted ceiling
cavetto cornice
a molding with a concave curve, often used as a decorative element
ankh
a symbol resembling a cross with a loop at the top, representing life and immortality
white/red crowns
symbolic crowns representing upper (white) and lower (red) egypt, often worn by pharaohs to signify their rule over the unifed kingdom
pylon
massive monumental gateways marking the entrance of temples
barque
a boat or ship used in religious processions and ceremonies, often associated with deities and their temples
wedjat eyes
symbolic eyes, often depicted together, representing the protective and healing powers of the goddess hathor
mater of animals motif
theme depicting a central figure often a deity or ruler, shown in control or harmony with various animals, emphasizing dominion over nature
smiting scene
representation of a powerful figure, a pharaoh or deity, striking down enemies, symbolizing triumph over adversaries
serekh/horus name
an early form of a pharaoh’s name, often enclosed in a rectangular shape called a serekh, accompanied by the horus falcon symbol; represents the ruler’s association with the god horus and their kingship
amduat
funerary text, also known as the “book of the hidden chamber,” describing the journey of the sun god Ra through the underworld during the nighttime hours
house of million of years
a phrase associated with temples and tombs, expressing the wish for the eternal preservation and well-being of the deceased
window of apperances
an architectural feature in temples, often high up on a wall, through which the sunlight would illuminate specific images or statues of deities during certain times of the day
papyrus umbel
the flower cluster or bloom of the papyrus plant, represents lower egypt
obelisk
a tall, slender, four-sided stone pillar with a pointed top, often erected as a monument or symbol of a pharaoh’s power.
barque shrine
a portable shrine in the shape of a boat used to house the sacred barque (boat) of a deity during religious processions
blue crown
a crown worn by pharaohs, associated with war and victory, featuring a blue color and a conical shape
composite crown
a combination of the white (upper) and red (lower) crowns, symbolizing the unification of the 2 regions under a single ruler
hypostyle hall
a large hall in temples characterized by rows of columns supporting a roof, creating a forest-like effect and providing a space for religious ceremonies and gatherings
colossi of memnon
gigantic stone statues of pharaoh amenhotep III near the valley of the kings
canopic gods
four deities - imsety, hapy, duamuted, and qebehsenuef - associated with protecting and preserving the organs of the deceased in canopic jars during mummification
ma’at
concept of truth, balance, and order, often personified as a goddess, played a crucial role in the judgement of the deceased’s soul
in-situ
“in place” - artifacts or structures remaining in their original location without being moved or disturbed
pi-ramesse
a city built by pharaoh ramesses II, serving as his capital during part of the new kingdom period
horn of qurna
a limestone ridge on the west bank of the nile near luxor, egypt, known for its tombs and rock-cut structures
opet festival
an annual religious celebration, focused on the rejuvenation of the god Amun and the renewal of the pharaoh’s divine power
the beautiful feast of the valley
a festival honoring deceased ancestors, involving rituals, processions, and offerings at the tombs in the valley of the kings
clerestory window
a element in temples, consisting of high windows or openings near the top of walls to allow natural light into the interior spaces
