Model – boat MOD-0012
By Vanhulle, Dorian
, Nekhen town, Temple, 'Main Deposit'.
1898–1899 : Egypt Exploration Fund excavation.Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, AN 1896–1908 E.95.
Date : Naqada III
This model comes from the Main Deposit at Hierakonpolis, which notably contained Early Dynastic material such as the Narmer Palette, the Narmer Mace-head and the Scorpion Mace-head (Dynasty "0" and 1). The archaic levels in the Temple of Hierakonpolis are extremely difficult to date with precision since the deposits have been used during an extensive period of time and mix material from different periods.
Material : Ivory (undefined) (Carved)
Preservation : Fragmentary
Preservation information :
The tip of the prow is broken while the stern is damaged. One half of the model is broken and lost, as is the head of the seated figure.
Description
Boat model whose deck structure consists of three walls forming a rectangular shelter with no roof and open towards the bow. The whole structure welcome a single, supposedly important seated passenger. Such seats/throne are attested in Naqada III iconography and are associated with royal boats. It allows the ruler/king to be both visible and protected.
Decoration
The gunwale is covered with vertical incisions which are probably emulating the ligatures used to tightened the different parts of real wooden structures at that time. The central structure is covered with an alternation of incised strokes and crosses. Most probably, they are also the indicatation ligatures. A circular perforation has been drilled near the stern.
Dimensions (cm)
2.8
1.4
9
Additional information
Acknowledgements
We thank Liam McNamara for facilitating the study of this artefact.
