Predynastic Kemetic Priestesses: the Testimony of Naqada Ceramics and Rock Art

ochre-painted waterpot

Solar-Afro-headed priestesses are often depicted in Nile riverboats in predynastic Kemetic art (Egypt before the pharaohs). These images occur on numerous ochre-painted ceramic pots, and they also appear in rock art, and in a tomb mural and the golden handle of a flint dagger. This pot shows a pair of women in the boat, and to their left one of the invoking priestess figures.

 

Here the priestess (or goddess) stands with her arms raised in a curve above her head, flanked by two smaller men. Her gesture is mirrored in the horned crown of HetHeru (Hathor) also worn by Auset (Isis). The same gesture is depicted in several clay figurines from this period, circa 4000-3200 bce, most of them vulture-headed.

 

Several examples of this scene are known from Nile rock art.
Sorry, no location was given for these.

This unique petroglyph shows the goddess or priestess being towed up the Nile by a group of women. Behind her is a cabin with a horned animal which is shown on numerous ceramic paintings of these ceremonial riverboats (see next page).

 

 

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