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This photos is a collection of amulets that were discovered in the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III. They were offerings gifted to her spirit in the afterlife for various uses, such as possibly having good health or fortune. They were made from a variety of different materials such as faience, bone, wood, or even ivory.

These amulets were imbued by their makers with a specific symbolism or magical quality, similar maybe to good luck charms or similar items that we use today. They were also though possibly to be used for protection, and were worn as jewelry or carried around.

You can see many of the amulets here take the forms of animals and other symbols, such as the Eye of Horus in the middle of the photo. The Eye of Horus was believe to offer healing. The Ankh was a symbol of eternal life. The Djed Pillar was associated with stability and strength.

It's important to note how the people that buried Meresankh and mourned her loss gifted her these so that she would have a good future in the afterlife.


Jewelry & adornment-Amulets and pendants
Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
02/25/1929
Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Height: 1.5 cm
G 7530-7540: pit G 7540 W
HUMFA_29-2-91
Alabaster
MFA accession number: 29.1540
Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition

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