Stela - Ancient History Essay

A limestone, upright slab or pillar with an inscription or design which serves as a monument, or in other words a stela, was found in Karnak, Egypt and recognised to be that of Neferhotep, an Egyptian Pharaoh. This round topped stela reveals a lot not only about the society at the time but also what they were capable of.

On this slab, are two prominent figures in the top register, who are known as Amenhotep I and Queen Ahmose-Nefertari. They are pictured seated on thrones faced towards an altar which has a flower bouquet and water pot. These figures as well as the surrounding text are all carved raised. The foreman Neferhotep, son of the foreman Nb-nfr, in the lower register to the left, is displayed kneeling with arms raised towards the figures above, in admiration and complete devotion. His figure is carved sunken and the text also found in the lower register, which includes a prayer to Amenhotep I and Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, is incised. This indicates several things about the society which lived at the time.

Firstly, this reveals the society evidently had a hierarchy system. It indicates they had Queens and Pharaohs in their time and recognised that through works of art, showing their dedication and adoration for these leaders during their time. Their admiration for these leaders is not only seen through their acts of work but is seen displayed on the stela itself. The figure in the lower register to the left, as stated previously, is pictured kneeling with arms raised towards the important figures above. Thus showing that as a society they together gladly recognised and praised their leads, which was evidently an important aspect of their lifestyles.

Secondly, as the inscription on the lower register has been recognised as a prayer to Amenhotep I and Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, their two leaders at the time, has indicated they were also a religious society who took part in prayer and clearly adapted that into their everyday lifestyle. This must have also been adapted into the praise of their leaders, and the prayer was directly inscribed on the stela towards the leading figures above.

Thirdly, from these images of the three figures displayed on the stella, we are provided with a clearer understanding of the fashion worn during their time. It is evident that the two leaders are seen wearing more wealthy attire, including long gowns, extravagant head pieces, jewellery, belts and holding instruments such as the crook and flail. On the other hand, we are able to see the clothing worn by a praiser of the leaders, wearing just a gown and a wig. This not only provides a clear understanding of the type of fashion around during that time, but also gives us an understanding between the clothing of people with more wealth against those who are poorer in society.

Additionally, on the bodies of the figures, the bouquet and lining between the hieroglyphs, traces of red paint have been discovered. This reveals that the society living at the time were able to paint and were evidently artists. From this, a clearer understanding of the society and their capabilities are revealed, demonstrating that they were creative and developed, using different methods of communication to put forward and display their beliefs.

Furthermore, around the figures found displayed on the stela, it