Wedj (gravestone)
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About This Item
The Egyptian stela or wedj served primarily as a gravestone; however, stelae were also used to facilitate access to the dead, commemorate significant historical events, and also acted as markers for official boundaries.
Stelae stand upright and use text or images to convey information. The upper portion of a stela, called the lynette, is often decorated with symbols and scenes depicting divine activity. Oftentimes, the scenes depict the rebirth of the individual in their new form in the afterlife. Some of the figures depicted in this stela include Horus, Osiris, and Isis.
- Date
- 1500 BCE - 700 BCE
- Geography
- Thebes, Egypt, Africa
- Medium
- wood
- gesso
- pigment
- Provenance
- Purchased by Adolph Sutro in 1884, possibly in Thebes, Egypt
- Context
The production of the Egyptian wedj, or stela, dates back to the First Egyptian dynasty (3150-2890) and they would continue to be produced throughout ancient Egyptian history. While early stelae were made of stone, later productions were crafted using wood and paint. Stelae were produced and used by members of all social classes.
In ancient Egypt, many aspects of daily life centered on preparing for death. Elaborate tombs and mummification rituals were a key aspect of one’s journey to the afterlife. The Global Museum’s collection contains many significant funerary objects, dating back 3,000 to 4,000 years. In life, however, cultural traditions were surprisingly similar to ones we still practice today. Ancient Egyptians adapted their lives to survive along the fertile Nile River in an otherwise arid desert. In today’s geopolitical boundaries, the country of Egypt is in northeastern Africa. Historically and culturally, however, Egypt is considered Middle Eastern.
- Height
- 36 in
- Width
- 29 in
- Depth
- 4 in
- Copyright
- Copyright status unknown. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing, and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
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