Amulet

An ancient part of Egyptian life

Introduction

Amulets were first used in the Predynastic Badarian period (ca. 4400-4000 Bc) They were used to invoked the powers of gods and goddess to aid Egyptians. The picture on the left is what my team have excavated and have made a replica of.

Description

The artifact you see on above is an amulet called the Eye of Horus. Amulets were used by the Ancient Egyptians at the time of the Predynastic Badarian Period (ca. 4400-4000 Bc). Amulet designs consisted of animals, body parts, flowers, and deities, with some amulets even having inscriptions on them. Amulets were quite small with the average amulet being 5 cm large. The most common material was faience, a type of ceramic material. Other more expensive materials such as gold, silver, and electrum were also used.

Purpose & USe

Amulets such as the Eye of Horus were both used for decorative and practical purposes. Almost everyone in Egypt wore an amulet. Artifacts were considered to have apotropaic powers that bestowed power and protection to the wearer. The amulet was used to help cast charms to help the wearer. Sometimes, wearers would add inscriptions of charms they thought would help them most. Some amulets even had multiple purposes. Amulets were also used for burial purposes in order to protect and help the soul from the dangers of the underworld. For example, the scarab beetle amulet was used to protect the spirits from the different challenge faced in the underworld. The amulet we found was the Eye of Horus (wad jet eye) and was believed to have powers that protected and healed the wear. Because of these powers, the wad jet eye was one of the most wide spread amulets in Egypt.

Relevance in Ancient Egypt

Throughout Ancient Egypt, Egyptians believed in gods. They believed that these gods were supreme beings that watched up high in the heavens. Each god had certain powers that could aid Egyptians. The amulet acted in a way that allowed the gods to lead their power in order to heal, protect, or cast charms. These attributes made amulets a widespread object and almost all Egyptians used amulets. Each amulet represents something similar to how the each god represents something. Every type of amulet was used for different purposes. For example, the wad jet eye was use for healing and protection, evoking the power of Horus, while the scarab beetle amulet was used for burial purposes to protect the heart from betraying the soul. Amulets were even used by doctors to order to make their charms and casts stronger. Amulets were a big part of Egyptian life and culture.

Optional: Other

Amulets were so widespread that both the poor and rich had them and was worn commonly. The poor used the amulet was a way to do simple charms on themselves when they could not afford to met a doctor or priest. Out of all amulets, the wad jet eye was the most common amulet in Ancient Egypt for its use of protection and healing.

Works Cited

Arico, Ashley Fiutko, and Kierra Foley. “Ancient Egyptian Amulets.” John Hopkins Archeology Museum, 2020, https://archaeologicalmuseum.jhu.edu/the-collection/object-stories/ancient-egyptian-amulets/.

Arnold, Michael. “The Magic Amulets of Ancient Egyptian Mummies For Eternal Life.” The Collector, 20 October 2020, https://www.thecollector.com/egyptian-magic-amulets-and-mummies/.

De Mola, Paul Joseph. “The Egyptian Amulet: Pious Symbols of Spiritual Life.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, 15 May 2013, https://www.ancient.eu/article/494/the-egyptian-amulet-pious-symbols-of-spiritual-lif/#:~:text=However%2C%20during%20the%20Middle%20Kingdom,Dab'a%20in%20Lower%20Egypt.

Francesca. “Egyptian Amulets and Their Meanings.” Ancient and Oriental, 8 November 2019, www.antiquities.co.uk/blog/ancient-egypt/egyptian-amulets-and-their-meanings/#:~:text=Amulets%20in%20Ancient%20Egypt%20were,the%20deceased%20for%20the%20afterlife.

Stünkel, Isabel. “Ancient Egyptian Amulets.” The Met 150, February 2019, www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/egam/hd_egam.htm.

“Eye of Horus: Eye of Horus Meaning: Egyptian Eye.” Egypt Tour Packages | Egypt Tours | Egypt Day Tours | Cruises in Egypt, 12 Apr. 2020, www.cleopatraegypttours.com/travel-guide/ancient-egypt-history/egyptian-eye-of-horus-meaning/.

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