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Ancient Egyptian cosmos, c1025 BC
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Ancient Egyptian cosmos, c1025 BC
Ancient Egyptian cosmos, c1025 BC. Nut (heaven), stretches over the Earth, represented by her brother Geb, who lies below her. The toes of the goddess are at the eastern horizon, and her fingertips at the western horizon. Her father Shu (air), holds her up with both hands, separating her from Geb. Despite this Geb and Nut had four children: Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys. The myths surrounding these four deities relate to the emergence of human society; the separation of earth and sky constitutes the creation of the world. This scene is part of the Greenfield papyrus, the Book of the Dead of the priestess Nesitanebtashru. It is one of the best surviving examples of a funerary papyrus; the original document was over thirty-seven metres long and is from the burial of Nesitanebtashru at Deir el-Bahari, Thebes, Egypt
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Media ID 14863767
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
21st Dynasty Arched Book Of The Dead Cosmology Cosmos Creation Daughter Earth Father Fatherhood Heaven Hieroglyphic Hieroglyphics Oxford Science Archive Papyrus Reclining Supporting Ancient Egyptian Nakedness Nudity
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This print showcases the Ancient Egyptian cosmos, dating back to c1025 BC. The image depicts Nut, the goddess of heaven, stretching over her brother Geb, who represents the Earth. With her toes at the eastern horizon and fingertips at the western horizon, Nut is held up by their father Shu, symbolizing air and separating her from Geb. Surprisingly, despite this separation, Geb and Nut had four children: Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys. The myths surrounding these deities are intertwined with the emergence of human society and mark the creation of our world. The scene captured in this print is part of the Greenfield papyrus known as "The Book of Dead" belonging to Nesitanebtashru—a priestess whose burial took place in Deir el-Bahari at Thebes in Egypt. This papyrus is considered one of the finest surviving examples within funerary literature. Originally spanning over thirty-seven meters long, it provides a glimpse into ancient beliefs regarding cosmology and creation. With its vibrant colors and intricate details depicted through hieroglyphics on papyrus paper—an essential medium for recording religious texts—this artifact offers a fascinating insight into Ancient Egyptian culture and religion. It serves as a reminder that even thousands of years ago people sought to understand their place within an expansive universe governed by powerful deities like Nut and Geb.
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