Axehead with incised dotted motif

Axehead with incised dotted motif

There is a marked increase in the use of metal at the time of the unification of Egypt under the 1st Dynasty, although the relatively soft copper remained the most common variety. This axehead is a fine example of Early Dynastic metalwork. The incised motif may be the outline of a falcon over a rectangular enclosure; this was the hieroglyphic frame for the first name of each king of Egypt, identifying him as an earthly form of the god Horus.

Present location NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND [30/002] DUBLIN

Inventory number 1912:248

Dating EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD/THINITE PERIOD

Archaeological Site TARKHAN

Category AXE

Material COPPER

Technique CASTING

Width 8.5 cm

http://www.globalegyptianmuseum.org/detail.aspx?id=2525

Bibliography•Petrie, Tarkhan I, 23, pl. 4.13, pl. 6.6