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SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→The high-resolution photos show evidence that the head of the priest was originally the jackal-head of Anubis) |
SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Question: Was the original head of the priest in Facsimile 1 actually the jackal head of Anubis?) |
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The head of the priest in the Hedlock restoration appears to simply copy the head of the reclining figure. An examination of the papyrus, however, shows evidence that the head was originally that of Anubis. In this case, the Larson restoration appears to be correct. Theologically, it would not matter to scenes such as this one. Ancient art depcting religious situations such as this frequently had other people impersonating other Gods. Thus, even if this is an incorrect restoration, it would not matter to the overall message of the scene portrayed. | The head of the priest in the Hedlock restoration appears to simply copy the head of the reclining figure. An examination of the papyrus, however, shows evidence that the head was originally that of Anubis. In this case, the Larson restoration appears to be correct. Theologically, it would not matter to scenes such as this one. Ancient art depcting religious situations such as this frequently had other people impersonating other Gods. Thus, even if this is an incorrect restoration, it would not matter to the overall message of the scene portrayed. | ||
− | The priest of Elkenah likely could have been wearing an Anubian headdress while performing this scene and the interpretation would still be, for all intents and purposes, correct. <ref> See Robert K. Ritner "[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324844916_Osiris-Canopus_and_Bes_at_Herculaneum_with_color_photos Osiris-Canopus and Bes at Herculaneum]". As Ritner writes herein: "Although the Herculaneum dancer probably represents a masked participant impersonating the god, the matter is theologically unimportant. The British Museum Bes statue, noted above, has been assumed to be a masked man because of his kilt, moderate belly and flattened face, but no clear cords or fittings indicate that the face is a mask. A Middle Kingdom mask of Bes does survive from Kahun proving the existence of Bes—masked priests, but statue | + | The priest of Elkenah likely could have been wearing an Anubian headdress while performing this scene and the interpretation would still be, for all intents and purposes, correct. Those performing rituals often donned a mask impersonating a particular god for theological effect.<ref> See Robert K. Ritner "[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324844916_Osiris-Canopus_and_Bes_at_Herculaneum_with_color_photos Osiris-Canopus and Bes at Herculaneum]". As Ritner writes herein: "Although the Herculaneum dancer probably represents a masked participant impersonating the god, the matter is theologically unimportant. The British Museum Bes statue, noted above, has been assumed to be a masked man because of his kilt, moderate belly and flattened face, but no clear cords or fittings indicate that the face is a mask. A Middle Kingdom mask of Bes does survive from Kahun proving the existence of Bes—masked priests, but statue |
ary of masked humans is more problematic than masked figures in religious scenes. A potentially more relevant | ary of masked humans is more problematic than masked figures in religious scenes. A potentially more relevant | ||
sculpture derives from a far earlier period in Egyptian history, on a Fifth Dynasty relief also in the British Museum. | sculpture derives from a far earlier period in Egyptian history, on a Fifth Dynasty relief also in the British Museum. |
The head of the priest in the Hedlock restoration appears to simply copy the head of the reclining figure. An examination of the papyrus, however, shows evidence that the head was originally that of Anubis. In this case, the Larson restoration appears to be correct. Theologically, it would not matter to scenes such as this one. Ancient art depcting religious situations such as this frequently had other people impersonating other Gods. Thus, even if this is an incorrect restoration, it would not matter to the overall message of the scene portrayed.
The priest of Elkenah likely could have been wearing an Anubian headdress while performing this scene and the interpretation would still be, for all intents and purposes, correct. Those performing rituals often donned a mask impersonating a particular god for theological effect.[1]
Notes
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