A Tail’s Tale: Narmer, the Catfish, and Bovine Symbolism

• Gunnar Sperveslage ^[1] ; Thomas C. Heagy ^[2]
  1. [1] University of Cologne

     University of Cologne

     Kreisfreie Stadt Köln, Alemania

     
  2. [2] University of Oxford

     University of Oxford

     Oxford District, Reino Unido

     
• Localización: Journal of egyptian archaeology, ISSN 0307-5133, Nº. 109, 1-2, 2023, págs. 65-75
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Impressions of two necropolis seals have been found at Abydos that show a complete sequence of First Dynasty rulers from Narmer to Den and Narmer to Qa’a, respectively. On these seals, a tail-like appendage is attached to Narmer’s name which is interpreted as a bull’s tail. In this paper, this extraordinary writing is discussed in the context of royal representation and bovine symbolism, and also in regards to the posthumous reception of Narmer as a ‘founding father’. It will be shown that during the reign of Den there was a fertile ground for innovations in general and, in particular, new visual representations. Finally, the writing of Narmer’s name is addressed in the context of sealing practice.