Scribal Equipment

49.47.565

Information

Paperweight or writing equipment implement (?) inscribed in a verticle column - belonging to a scribe?. Inscription is worn and difficult to read. Pierced at top left corner for suspension. May have been used as a scribe to remove text from papyrus (to make a palimpest) or used as a burnisher for preparing papyrus before writing. May also be a foundation plaque. Purchased in Upper Egypt and desribed as, " a rectangular slab of oriental alabaster. Pierced by a vertical hole. Inscribed with the name of an Egyptian scribe? 18th – 19th dynasties.” It was on display with writing equipment in the old gallery put together in 1976. Presumably because of the only clear hieroglyphs (sS).