Model – boat MOD-0013
By Vanhulle, Dorian
, Nekhen town, Temple, 'Main Deposit'.
1898–1899 : Egypt Exploration Fund excavation.Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, AN 1896-1908E.96.
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 materials from different periods.
Material : Ivory (undefined) (Carved)
Preservation : Almost complete
Preservation information :
The tip of the prow seems to be slightly damaged.
Description
Model of a boat with a central structure that consists of three walls forming a rectangular shelter witout roof and opening towards the bow. The back wall is higher than the sides, which are slanted. The whole structure looks like a seat or a throne in which an important passenger could seat. Such seats are attested in Naqada III iconography and are associated with royal boats. A slight hollowing was made at the front of the seat, possibly meant as a cargo hold.
Decoration
The gunwale is covered with incised strokes which probably emulate the ligatures used to strenghtened real wooden structures at that time. The deck structure is covered with an alternation of incised strokes and crosses. Most probably, they are also the indicatation ligatures. A perforation has been drilled at one extremety.
Dimensions (cm)
1.7
1.5
6.3
Additional information
Acknowledgements
We thank Liam McNamara for facilitating the study of this artefact.
References
1970
Ships of the pharaohs: 4000 years of Egyptian shipbuilding. Architectura Navalis. London
, 23, fig. 68.
