Interpreting the Visual Evidence
The Narmer Palette
The Narmer Palette
(c. 3100 b.c.e.) is a
double-sided carving
made of green siltstone.
Palettes were
used to grind pigments for the making
of cosmetics, but the large size (63 cm,
over 2 feet) of this one is unusual. It was
discovered in 1897 by archeologists excavating
a temple dedicated to the god
Horus at Nekhen, the capital of Upper
Egypt. Found nearby were other artifacts,
including the so-called Narmer
Macehead, thought to depict the marriage
of Narmer, king of Upper Egypt, to
a princess of Lower Egypt.
On the left, dominating the central
panel, Narmer wears the White Crown
of Upper Egypt (image A). He wields a
mace and seizes the hair of a captive
kneeling at his feet. Above the captive's
head is a cluster of lotus leaves (a symbol
of Lower Egypt) and a falcon representing
the god Horus, who may be drawing
the captive's life force (ka) from his body.
The figure behind Narmer is carrying the
king's sandals; he is depicted as smaller
because he is an inferior. The two men in
the lower panel are either running or
sprawling on the ground, and the symbols
above them indicate the name of a
defeated town. On the right, the other
side of the palette shows Narmer as the
chief figure in a procession (image B). He
now wears the Red Crown of Lower
Egypt and holds a mace and a flail, symbols
of conquest. Behind him is the same
servant carrying his sandals, and in front
of him are a man with long hair and four
standard-bearers. There are also ten
headless corpses. Below, the entwined
necks of two mythical creatures (serpopards,
leopards with serpents' heads) are
tethered to leashes held by two men. In
the lowest section, a bull tramples the
body of a man whose city he is destroying.
Images
Questions for Analysis
1. fiogf49gjkf0d This artifact has been called “the first
historical document in the world,” but
scholars are still debating its meanings.
For example, does it represent something
that actually happened, or is it
political propaganda? In your view, is
this proof that Narmer has united two
kingdoms? Why or why not? |
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2. fiogf49gjkf0d Do the two sides of the palette tell a
coherent story and, if so, on which
side does that story begin? |
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3. fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d What might be significant about the
site where the palette was found?
Should the palette be interpreted as
belonging with the mace, found nearby?
If so, how might that change
your interpretation of the palette’s
significance? |
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