Egyptology

The Narmer Palette has often played a pivotal role as evidence of the unification of Ancient Egypt. However, many scholars have not considered its contextual or temporal associations, instead piecing together an erroneous narrative that ignores other archaeological evidence associated with the unification process. This additional evidence supports political unification by a number of rulers before and after Narmer, suggesting that the palette indicates a stage in the country’s development from acculturation to statehood. Although identified as their founding ruler on mid-First Dynasty seals, contemporary evidence of Narmer’s role in the political unification of Egypt is limited.

Earlier studies of the Narmer Palette relied on a narrative approach. However, recent works have moved towards an ideological interpretation that ignores artefacts contemporary with Narmer which display similar iconography to his ceremonial palette. While the palette describes a conflict with peoples of a Lower Egyptian area, possibly the western Delta, it does not represent a war of unification. The belief that the red crown on this artefact represents Lower Egypt, and thereby the unification, cannot be supported, due to the unclear geographic association at this time period.

Other artefacts and evidence of Narmer are assessed as showing his placement at the start of Egyptian history according to the Ancient Egyptians themselves. However, evidence of earlier rulers show that the political unification process started earlier than Narmer and possibly in many locations. While Narmer played a significant role in the unification of Egypt, and in the conflicts detailed in his artefacts, he was not alone in the process, which appears not to have been completed until well into the First Dynasty. A reanalysis of the palette and its context has shown that it cannot be viewed in isolation as evidence for the political unification of Egypt by Narmer in a single, swift military campaign. Dynasty One now includes Narmer, identified with Menes, while the disputed Dynasty 0 covers the start of the political unification process, which was further consolidated during the reign of Den.

The statue of Hetepdief has never been accurately published, leading to erroneous interpretations of the base inscription and identification of the statue figure. This study provides a detailed line drawing of the base inscription, for the first time, to allow a more complete understanding of the statue and provide new information about the inscription. Unusual features of the base inscription set this statue apart from other Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom sculpture. These include the only complete spoonbill used as a phonetic hieroglyph and inverted lines of text, facing the statue rather than the viewer, neither of which are seen in other statues of this date. Dating can be based on the last king named on the statue, Ninetjer, making this the earliest private statue and earliest lines of extended text attested. While unclear if the figure is named Hetepdief, his association with the pr-dšr, and no explicit religious title, should discount his identification as a priest.

La statue de Hetepdief n’a jamais été complètement publiée, ce qui a conduit à des interprétations erronées de l’inscription sur la base et de son identification. La présente étude fournit pour la première fois un dessin détaillé de cette inscription afin d’apporter une meilleure compréhension de la statue et de fournir des informations nouvelles sur la partie épigraphiée. Les caractéristiques inhabituelles de l’inscription distinguent cette statue des autres sculptures de la Ire dynastie et de l’Ancien Empire. Elle inclut la seule utilisation connue d’une spatule
(oiseau) comme un hiéroglyphe phonétique ainsi que des lignes de texte inversées, face à la statue plutôt qu’au spectateur, pratiques qui n’apparaissent dans aucune autre oeuvre pour la période considérée. La datation proposée à partir du dernier roi mentionné, Ninetjer, fait de cette sculpture la première statue privée et le premier texte complet attesté. Bien que le nom du personnage, Hetepdief, ne puisse être clairement confirmé, son association avec le pr-dšr, l’absence de titre religieux explicite, doivent minimiser son identification en tant que prêtre.

Approaching a topic as vast and unknown as the Second Dynasty presents many problems. Where to start? What direction to take? Where will it lead? As a precursor to doctoral research on this same topic area, to try to provide a better understanding of the Second Dynasty and dispel myths, I hope this study will provide clarification on this 'dark dynasty'. By starting with a clarification of the cultural material I hope this will establish a strong foundation to expand research into areas of the Second Dynasty that are currently unknown or segmented into various research fields. The thesis would not have been possible without the help of many people. First my friend, Matthew Murrell, whose support and encouragement got me through each day. My supervisor Dr. Yann Tristant for his guidance and support on this challenging topic.