chisel;
foundation-deposit;
model
- Description
-
Model chisel in copper alloy, from a foundation deposit.
- Production date
- 285 BC-246 BC
- Curator's comments
- This object is lost, just mentioned in publication (Petrie 1886, 31).
At least six foundation deposits were discovered in Ptolemy II gateway of the Great Temenos, one at each of the four corners and one at the northwest and southwest corners of a central hall (Petrie 1886, 28-31, pl. XXV-XXVI; Weinstein 1973, 376-378, no. 158).
The content of these deposits is purely Egyptian in nature and is very similar to that of Late Period foundation deposits (see for example those discovered at Tell Nebesheh, Gemaiyeni and Tell Defenneh: Petrie 1888, 14-15, 40-42, 54-55, pl. V-VI, pl. XIX and XXI-XXIII). Naukratis foundation deposits can be further compared to several foundation deposits, mainly dated between the reigns of Philip III Arrhidaeus and Ptolemy IV, and discovered in various temple complexes of the Delta, at Coptos and in the Theban region (discussed in: Weinstein 1973, 352-363, Group I).
The foundation deposits of Naukratis provided a wide variety of models of ceremonial instruments and tools. Fourteen were made of copper alloy, ten of stone and four of iron. Three models of chisel in copper alloy were discovered in the foundation deposits: one in the north-east corner, one in the south-west and one in the north-west one (Petrie 1886, 31, pl. XXV no. 4). According to Petrie’s list, the specimen from the north-east corner of the pylon was intended for Berlin Museum.
Models of ceremonial instruments and tools are a customary feature in foundation deposits since the Middle Kingdom. They tend to be of small size and poor quality in the Ptolemaic Period, as during the Late Period (Weinstein 1973, 297, 307-308, 356).
Petrie, W. M. F. 1886, Naukratis. Part I, 1884–5 (Third memoir of the Egypt Exploration Fund), London.
Petrie, W. M. F. 1888, Tanis 2: Nebesheh (Am) and Defenneh (Tahpanhes), London.
Weinstein, J. M. 1973, Foundation deposits in ancient Egypt, Ann Arbor.
- Location
- Not on display
- Department
- External
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: unknown (model of chisel)
