Gebel el-Arak Knife

Gebel el-Arak Knife

The Gebel el-Arak Knife is a 25.50 cm long knife dating from circa 3300 - 3200 BC, the late pre-dynastic period in Egypt, which when it was purchased in Cairo [Samuel Mark, "From Egypt to Mesopotamia: a Study of Predynastic Trade Routes (Texas A & M Press) 1997.] was said to have been found at the site of Gebel el-Arak, south of Abydos.

The blade is made of ripple-flaked flintstone and the handle of the ivory of a hippopotamus canine tooth. The handle is richly carved in low relief with a scene of a battle on the front, and with mythological themes on the back.

The back side of the handle shows Mesopotamian influence, [ Barbara Watterson, "The Egyptians", Blackwell Publishing 1997, ISBN 0631211950, p.41] featuring the god El wearing Mesopotamian clothing, flanked by two upright lions symbolizing the Morning and Evening Stars (now both identified with the planet Venus). [Robert du Mesnil du Buisson: "Le décor asiatique du couteau de Gebel el-Arak", in "BIFAO" 68 (1969), pp.63-83] Grimal prefers not to speculate on the identity of the figure, referring to him as a "warrior". [Grimal, "op.cit.", p.36] It also contains a "knob", a perforated suspension lug.

The knife [Another knife of similar materials but worn and battered, is conserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; see Bruce Williams, Thomas J. Logan, and William J. Murnane, "The Metropolitan Museum Knife Handle and Aspects of Pharaonic Imagery before Narmer" "Journal of Near Eastern Studies" 46.4 (October 1987:245-285).] is on display at the Musée du Louvre (Accession number E 11517).

References

* Nicolas-Christophe Grimal, "A History of Ancient Egypt", Blackwell Publishing 1992, ISBN 0631193960, pp.29ff.

External links

* [http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/knife_of_gebel_el_arak/verso.htm The Gebel el Arak knife, Images on the backside of the handle]
* [http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/knife_of_gebel_el_arak/index.html The Gebel el Arak knife, Depiction of a predynastic battle scene]
* [http://cartelen.louvre.fr/cartelen/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=668 Poignard "du Gebel el-Arak"] , official site of the Louvre.


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