Clay Ball with Hair

Broken clay ball showing a lock of brown human hair inside. Found at the royal city of Tell el-Amarna (ancient Akhetaten) by archaeologists working for the Egypt Exploration Society, 1923-24. Small balls of clay containing human hair, like this, were probably used in magical practices. This is recorded as being from the 1923-24 excavation season the individual find number is missing. However, it matches with Egypt Exploration Society find number 23/159 a "broken clay ball with exposed hair". This was found in House Q.46.34 Room 1 within the Main City at Tell el Amarna. One half of the ball with a lock of hair stuck in place is numbered 56.21.673a; and loose fragments of clay and some hair are kept together under the number 56.21.673b. Excavated by the Egypt Exploration Society in 1923. Acquired by the EES in the division of finds. Donated to the East Anglia Egyptian Society by the EES in recognition of a contribution to the EES (excavation subscription). Donated to Norwich Castle Museum. Purchased from the collections of Norwich Castle Museum in 1956 by Liverpool City Museum (now World Museum).