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An unusual, interesting article will be published in June in the well known "Ancient Egypt" magazine based in the UK.
Egyptian royal tombs contain marvelous artifacts that are displayed in top museums throughout the world. Archaeologist and Egyptologist, Jan Summers Duffy has been researching an unusual one - and from a famous tomb - the headrests found in KV62, the Tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. An article about these artifacts will be forthcoming.
"Headrests are a curious artifact, beautifully simple, but one which is intricately involved with the deceased ancient Egyptian's in the afterlife as well as by the living in their daily life, states Summers Duffy. My two year research on this particular artifact of the tomb (KV62) took me into many different areas of research, some unusual and surprising. The beauty and craftsmanship alone is remarkable and one only has to view a headrest in the Cairo Museum or any other museums throughout the world to appreciate their beauty." The 18th Dynasty Pharaoh, Tutankhamun ascended the throne while a child and died at about age 19. He had, however, no less than 9 headrests buried with him in his tomb. All of the artifacts and tomb treasures were documented by the Englishman Howard Carter, discoverer of the tomb in 1922. The treasurers from this tomb are still touring the world.
Headrests have been found in tombs and burials all over the world. Several headrests from KV62 were made of wood, gilded with gold so that they appear to be of a different material altogether. Others were made of glass, stone, or faience and one religiously symbolic headrest, was made of ivory. The detail, designs and workmanship in creating this Egyptian artifact is admirable. For that reason alone, it shows the importance of the headrest while the person lived and when they died. The headrest was commonly found in most ancient Egyptian homes. From a simple pottery design or a wooden model to the more elaborate designs, with religious texts and designs, they have graced the tombs of royals since early dynasties. Their engravings of dieties, cartouches and hieroglyphics helped to identify the deceased or their purpose.
The indepth article in Ancient Egypt magazine will include marvelous color pictures of some of the headrests, which will be a highlight. Thanks to the Oxford Institute, and other Egyptological resources, Summers Duffy, who is a member of the International Assoc. of Egyptologists and has worked in Egypt, had permission to use Howard Carter's specific handwritten information from tomb note cards. With the publishers photos, this article intends to be an excellent read for all people who enjoy ancient Egypt. A book is eventually planned on the topic by Summers Duffy in the future.
College of Idaho Museum of Natural History
J.Summers Duffy, Archaeologist~Curator
THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
International Assoc.of Egyptologists~KV Research
CofI's Expert Faculty~Egyptology,Lithics,Pottery
jduffy@collegeofidaho.edu
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