- Museum number
- EA30080
- Description
-
A stout chisel: of approximately square section, which has been hammered and ground at the edge. The sharpening of the cutting edge has been carried out by grinding from both sides of the tool.
- Dimensions
-
Length: 18.40 centimetres (max)
-
Weight: 69.30 grammes
-
Thickness: 0.70 centimetres
-
Width: 0.60 centimetres (at edge)
-
Width: 0.80 centimetres (max)
- Curator's comments
- The date of acquisition suggests that this object may have come from the Early Dynastic royal tombs at Abydos.
For other examples of Early Dynastic copper chisels, see E. Amélineau, ‘Les Nouvelles Fouilles d’Abydos’ II (1896-7), pl.XVIII; W. M. F. Petrie, 'Royal Tombs of the Earliest Dynasties' II, pl.XXXV, 91; XXXVIII, 94; XLI, 93; W. M. F. Petrie, 'Abydos' I (London, 1902), pl.L; W. M. F. Petrie, 'Abydos' II (London, 1902-4), pl.XV, 1, 8, 10; W. M. F. Petrie, 'Tombs of the courtiers and Oxyrhynkos' (London, 1925), pl.V, 6, 8, 12; W. M. F. Petrie, 'Tarkhan I and Memphis V' (London, 1913), pls.IV, 3-5, 8; VI, 4, 10; W. M. F. Petrie, 'Tools and weapons : illustrated by the Egyptian collection in University College, London' (London, 1917), 19-20 and pls.XXI-XXII; G. A. Reisner, 'The early dynastic cemeteries of Naga-ed-Dêr' I, (California, 1908), 115 and pl.40d; W. B. Emery, 'Great tombs of the First Dynasty; excavations at Sakkara' I' (Cairo, 1949), 42-6 and pl.9B; W. B. Emery, 'Great tombs of the First Dynasty; excavations at Sakkara' II' (London, 1954), 61 and pl.XXXIb; J. E. Quibell, ‘Archaic Objects’ (Cairo, 1905), nos. 14540-1. 14556-7 and pl.59; J. E. Quibell, 'Excavations at Saqqara, 1912-1914: Archaic Mastabas’ (Cairo, 1923), pl.VIII, 1; J. E. Quibell & F. W. Green, 'Hierakonpolis' II (London, 1989), 26 and pl.XLVIIIb; C. M. Firth and J. E. Quibell, 'Excavations at Saqqara : the Step Pyramid' II (Cairo, 1935), pl.93, (3); J. Garstang, ‘Maḥâsna and Bêt Khallâf’ (London, 1989), pls.XVI, XXIII; P. Montet, 'Kêmi' 8 (1946), pl.X.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Cleaned of corrosion and in good condition.
- Acquisition date
- 1898
- Department
- Egypt and Sudan
- BM/Big number
- EA30080
- Registration number
- 1898,0315.206