Tales from the Two Lands
@talestwolands.bsky.social
It’s not known where this mummy came from, but it’s now in the World Museum in Liverpool, acc. no.: 42.18.2. 🧵7/7
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
Mummified Cat | Photos by Tales from the Two Lands
Provenance unknown.
Roman Period, c. 30 BCE to 100 CE.
Acc. No.: 42.18.2 - DSC_7950.jpg
photos.talesfromthetwolands.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
It’s not known where this mummy came from, but it’s now in the World Museum in Liverpool, acc. no.: 42.18.2. 🧵7/7
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
It’s tempting to see the ones that don’t have a whole animal in them as the priests ripping off the pilgrims, but it’s not clear that was the case. The outward form and the presence of some of the animal may’ve given them sufficient symbolic power at a more affordable level. 🧵6/7
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
It’s tempting to see the ones that don’t have a whole animal in them as the priests ripping off the pilgrims, but it’s not clear that was the case. The outward form and the presence of some of the animal may’ve given them sufficient symbolic power at a more affordable level. 🧵6/7
The mummies were made at a large scale by operations associated with the temples where they were subsequently offered by visitors to venerate or send a message to the god of the temple. Think of it as a rather more gruesome take on the same idea as a votive candle. 🧵5/7
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
The mummies were made at a large scale by operations associated with the temples where they were subsequently offered by visitors to venerate or send a message to the god of the temple. Think of it as a rather more gruesome take on the same idea as a votive candle. 🧵5/7
This sort of thing is very common, many animal mummies do not contain a whole specimen of the animal inside them. And those that do tend to have much younger animals than they are packaged up to resemble. 🧵4/7
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This sort of thing is very common, many animal mummies do not contain a whole specimen of the animal inside them. And those that do tend to have much younger animals than they are packaged up to resemble. 🧵4/7
So you may assume that there’s an actual cat laid out inside the wrapping with its head within the head wrappings and its rear at the bottom, but this is not the case. This mummy actually does contain a cat – but a young one that is much smaller than the wrapped object. 🧵3/7
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
So you may assume that there’s an actual cat laid out inside the wrapping with its head within the head wrappings and its rear at the bottom, but this is not the case. This mummy actually does contain a cat – but a young one that is much smaller than the wrapped object. 🧵3/7
It’s a fine looking specimen, with a nicely modelled head and geometric patterns in the wrapping made from two different colours of bandage. These patterns are used to date it to the 1st Century CE, during the Roman Period of ancient Egyptian history. 🧵2/7
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
It’s a fine looking specimen, with a nicely modelled head and geometric patterns in the wrapping made from two different colours of bandage. These patterns are used to date it to the 1st Century CE, during the Roman Period of ancient Egyptian history. 🧵2/7
It is now in the Ashmolean Museum, acc. no.: AN1936.661. 🧵5/5
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
West Wall of the Shrine of Taharqo | Photos by Tales from the Two Lands
From Kawa, Sudan.
Late Period, Dynasty 25, reign of Taharqa, c. 690-664 BCE.
Acc. No.: AN1936.661 - DSC_8442.jpg
photos.talesfromthetwolands.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
It is now in the Ashmolean Museum, acc. no.: AN1936.661. 🧵5/5
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
I particularly like the headdress that Amun has in this carving – the sun disk has its own array of protective serpents, each with their own sun disk. And on the central larger one you can still see traces of paint, showing that it was a reddish colour. 🧵4/5
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
I particularly like the headdress that Amun has in this carving – the sun disk has its own array of protective serpents, each with their own sun disk. And on the central larger one you can still see traces of paint, showing that it was a reddish colour. 🧵4/5
Around the four walls are scenes of Taharqo making offerings to different groups of deities, with the east wall being Amun along with the other deities of Thebes and this west wall is Amun along with the other deities of Kawa, namely Anukis Nethy, Satis and Anukis Ba. 🧵3/5
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Around the four walls are scenes of Taharqo making offerings to different groups of deities, with the east wall being Amun along with the other deities of Thebes and this west wall is Amun along with the other deities of Kawa, namely Anukis Nethy, Satis and Anukis Ba. 🧵3/5
The scene is carved on the west wall of a shrine built by Taharqo in a temple at Kawa. The temple including the shrine was excavated in the early 20th Century, and whilst much remains in Sudan this shrine was brought back to the Ashmolean Museum where it still is. 🧵2/5
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The scene is carved on the west wall of a shrine built by Taharqo in a temple at Kawa. The temple including the shrine was excavated in the early 20th Century, and whilst much remains in Sudan this shrine was brought back to the Ashmolean Museum where it still is. 🧵2/5
It is now in the Petrie Museum (acc. no.: UC6340), their website gives no provenance for the pot. 🧵4/4
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
Decorated Ware Pot | Photos by Tales from the Two Lands
Provenance unknown.
Probably Predynastic Period, Naqada II, c. 3650-3400 BCE.
Acc. No.: UC6340 - DSC_7376.jpg
photos.talesfromthetwolands.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:05 PM
It is now in the Petrie Museum (acc. no.: UC6340), their website gives no provenance for the pot. 🧵4/4
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
Above & to either side are birds which might be ostriches or flamingos, and there are more birds flying (the little s’s). There’s also a crocodile near the rim and lines that might be water. 🧵3/4
October 31, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Above & to either side are birds which might be ostriches or flamingos, and there are more birds flying (the little s’s). There’s also a crocodile near the rim and lines that might be water. 🧵3/4
It has many of the typical motifs of this sort of pot. The central feature in my photograph is a boat with a lot of oars and two shelters on the top of it, one of which has a standard of some sort. And another standard on one end of the boat. 🧵2/4
October 31, 2025 at 1:05 PM
It has many of the typical motifs of this sort of pot. The central feature in my photograph is a boat with a lot of oars and two shelters on the top of it, one of which has a standard of some sort. And another standard on one end of the boat. 🧵2/4
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
🧵6/6
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
🧵6/6
Ram Headed Sphinx Protecting Taharqo (easier) - jigsaw puzzle (96 pieces)
An online jigsaw puzzle with 96 pieces.
www.jigsawplanet.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
🧵6/6
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
🧵6/6
It’s now in the British Museum, acc. no. EA1779 🧵5/6
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
I’ve written about Taharqo on the blog before: talesfromthetwolands.org/2019/10/21/t...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
I’ve written about Taharqo on the blog before: talesfromthetwolands.org/2019/10/21/t...
Ram Headed Sphinx Protecting Taharqo | Photos by Tales from the Two Lands
From Kawa, Sudan.
Late Period, Dynasty 25, reign of Taharqo, c. 690-664 BCE.
Acc. No.: EA1779 - dsc_0763.jpg
photos.talesfromthetwolands.org
October 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
It’s now in the British Museum, acc. no. EA1779 🧵5/6
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
I’ve written about Taharqo on the blog before: talesfromthetwolands.org/2019/10/21/t...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
I’ve written about Taharqo on the blog before: talesfromthetwolands.org/2019/10/21/t...
The animal portion of the statue is called a “sphinx” by the British Museum, but it is not a chimeric being – it’s entirely a ram. This represents the god Amun, and he is shown with Taharqo under his divine protection. The most important god, protecting the most important man. 🧵4/6
October 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
The animal portion of the statue is called a “sphinx” by the British Museum, but it is not a chimeric being – it’s entirely a ram. This represents the god Amun, and he is shown with Taharqo under his divine protection. The most important god, protecting the most important man. 🧵4/6
However they saw themselves as returning Egypt to its proper culture and as being almost more Egyptian than the Egyptians. There are of course differences in emphasis (and just outright differences), but one thing in common is the key position of the god Amun in their religion. 🧵3/6
October 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
However they saw themselves as returning Egypt to its proper culture and as being almost more Egyptian than the Egyptians. There are of course differences in emphasis (and just outright differences), but one thing in common is the key position of the god Amun in their religion. 🧵3/6
The 25th Dynasty either begin the Late Period or end the Third Intermediate Period, and they were one of the dynasties that reunites Egypt after a period of disunity, but because they were also outsiders they aren’t quite remembered in the same way as Montuhotep or Ahmose I. 🧵2/6
October 24, 2025 at 12:13 PM
The 25th Dynasty either begin the Late Period or end the Third Intermediate Period, and they were one of the dynasties that reunites Egypt after a period of disunity, but because they were also outsiders they aren’t quite remembered in the same way as Montuhotep or Ahmose I. 🧵2/6
It is now in the Petrie Museum, acc. no. UC14430. 🧵6/6
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
Stela of Khety | Photos by Tales from the Two Lands
From the Osiris Temple, Abydos.
Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c. 1991-1802 BCE.
Acc. No.: UC14430 - DSC_7372.jpg
photos.talesfromthetwolands.org
October 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
It is now in the Petrie Museum, acc. no. UC14430. 🧵6/6
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
See it on my photo site: photos.talesfromthetwolands.org/picture.php?...
Jigsaw Puzzles:
easier: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
harder: www.jigsawplanet.com?rc=play&pid=...
It was found in the temple of Osiris at Abydos and this suggests that it was commissioned with an eye to the judgement in the afterlife (or weighing of the heart) that Osiris presides over. 🧵5/6
October 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
It was found in the temple of Osiris at Abydos and this suggests that it was commissioned with an eye to the judgement in the afterlife (or weighing of the heart) that Osiris presides over. 🧵5/6
It also includes a series of statements about his ethical conduct during his life – things like “I did not eye the wife of a man”, or “I was not jealous of the servants of any fellow” as well as other statements about bravery & obedience. 🧵4/6
October 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
It also includes a series of statements about his ethical conduct during his life – things like “I did not eye the wife of a man”, or “I was not jealous of the servants of any fellow” as well as other statements about bravery & obedience. 🧵4/6