ART APPRECIATION

Student: Jeremy Y. Pontillas

Instructor: Mrs. Ma. Francia Dechavez
Year/Section: BSCE 2B

Final Exam: Activity 1

Make a photo journal of three pieces discovered during the Egyptian

civilizations that shows their beliefs and practices.

1. The Rosetta Stone- is an ancient

Egyptian artifact that was discovered by French
soldiers in 1799 during their occupation of Egypt.
It is a slab of black basalt that contains
inscriptions of a decree issued by King Ptolemy V
in 196 BCE. The decree was written in three
scripts: Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphics.
The significance of the Rosetta Stone lies in
the fact that it provided the key to deciphering the
hieroglyphic script, which had been a mystery for
centuries. Scholars had been trying to decode the
hieroglyphics since the time of the ancient Greeks, but it wasn't until the discovery of the Rosetta
Stone that they were able to make a breakthrough.
The discovery of the Rosetta Stone reveals a great deal about the ancient Egyptians' beliefs
and practices. For example, it shows that they placed a great deal of importance on written
communication and the preservation of historical records. It also demonstrates their fascination
with language and the power of symbols.
The inscription on the Rosetta Stone is a decree from King Ptolemy V, which celebrates
his achievements and promises to grant various privileges to the priests of Egypt. It is written in
three scripts: Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphics. The Greek and Demotic scripts were relatively
easy to read, but the hieroglyphics proved to be much more challenging.
The decipherment of the hieroglyphics on the Rosetta Stone was a major breakthrough in
the field of Egyptology, and it opened up a whole new world of knowledge about ancient Egyptian
culture and history. The discovery of the Rosetta Stone and its subsequent decipherment is a
testament to the ingenuity and intellectual curiosity of the ancient Egyptians, as well as their
dedication to preserving their culture and heritage.
 2. The Book of the Dead - is a collection
of ancient Egyptian funerary texts that were
used to guide the deceased through the
afterlife. The texts were typically written on
papyrus scrolls or carved on the walls of
tombs, and they contained a variety of spells,
incantations, and prayers to help the deceased
overcome obstacles and navigate the dangers
of the underworld.
The Book of the Dead reflects the ancient
Egyptians' strong belief in the afterlife and their
desire to ensure that the deceased were well-prepared for the journey. The texts were intended
to help the deceased achieve eternal life and to protect them from harm in the afterlife.
The origins of the Book of the Dead can be traced back to the Old Kingdom period of
ancient Egypt (c. 2686-2181 BCE), but it was during the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1069
BCE) that the texts became more widespread and elaborate. During this time, the Book of the
Dead was typically written on papyrus scrolls and placed in the tomb with the deceased. The
texts of the Book of the Dead were often accompanied by elaborate illustrations depicting scenes
from the afterlife, such as the weighing of the heart ceremony or the journey of the deceased
through the underworld. These illustrations provided a visual guide to the deceased and helped
to reinforce their beliefs in the afterlife and the power of magic.
The Book of the Dead is a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and practices of ancient
Egyptian culture. It reveals their strong belief in the afterlife, their fascination with magic and
ritual, and their desire to ensure that the deceased were well-prepared for the journey into the
unknown. The texts and illustrations of the Book of the Dead remain one of the most important
sources of information about ancient Egyptian religion and culture.

3. The Great Sphinx - Egypt's Giza

Plateau is home to the enormous statue
known as the Great Sphinx. It is estimated
to have been constructed during the
Fourth Dynasty's reign of Pharaoh Khafre
(c. 2558–2532 BCE), and it is over 20
meters tall with a lion's body and a human
head.
Ancient Egyptians were fascinated by
mythical creatures and believed in the
power of symbolism, which is shown in the
construction of the Great Sphinx. The lion-like body and human head of the statue were meant
to symbolize the pharaoh's might and dominance, who was frequently considered as a deity on
earth.
One of the biggest and most well-known sculptures in the world, the Great Sphinx was
carved from a single block of limestone. It was probably constructed as a representation of the
pharaoh's strength and authority and to defend the entrance to the adjoining Khafre's pyramid
complex.

The Great Sphinx was no exception to the ancient Egyptians' belief in the significance of
symbolism. It was thought that the statue's placement, facing east toward the rising sun,
represented rebirth and the afterlife. The sphinx was connected to the sun deity Ra as well, and
it was said to possess a protective aura that could fend off evil spirits and safeguard the pharaoh
and his subjects.
The Great Sphinx also reflects the ancient Egyptians' fascination with mythology and their
belief in the power of magic. The statue's head is often associated with the god Horus, who was
the god of the sky and the protector of the pharaoh. The sphinx was also associated with the
god Amun, who was the god of creation and the king of the gods.
In conclusion, the Great Sphinx is a remarkable monument that reflects the ancient
Egyptians' beliefs in the power of symbolism, their fascination with mythology and magic, and
their belief in the divine nature of the pharaoh. The statue remains one of the most iconic symbols
of ancient Egypt and continues to inspire wonder and awe among people around the world.