The discovery of
archaeologist Carter gave science a great and interesting material. Now it
became clear how the Egyptians buried their kings. And those who were
interested in the history of glass became convinced that skilled craftsmen of
glass lived in Egypt already three thousand three hundred years ago.
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| Treasures of Ancient Egyptian Tombs |
But the glass
finds from the tomb of Tutankhamun were not the most ancient. Other scientists
managed to find glass products of an earlier time. One of these finds belongs
to the English archaeologist Flinders Petri. He explored dozens of Egyptian
tombs, found hundreds of interesting things, knew this ancient country well,
where hard-working builders, farmers, chemists, potters, glass-makers lived
thousands of years ago.
Nothing seemed
to surprise him anymore. But once, illuminating a dark old tomb with a
flashlight, the scientist flinched in surprise. From a corner, a lonely eye
looked at him point-blank!
Petri came
closer. Raising it, the scientist was convinced that the eye was made of glass.
Skillful coloring, very similar to the natural, deep black color of the pupil
hit the scientist.
What was his
surprise when, looking at his find, he saw an inscription made in hieroglyphs!
The eye was the property of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep I, who lived three
thousand six hundred years ago.
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| Jewelry Art of Ancient Egypt |
But soon the
story of another, more ancient thing, which belonged to some noble Egyptian,
became known. The world would never know about this woman, but for her locket.
It lay in the ground for four thousand years. And when the scientists extracted
it, everyone was struck by the delicate taste of the master who performed this
trinket.
The medallion is
made of an oval glass plate of light blue color. The oval is surrounded by a
frame of black and white glass squares. Each square is framed by a blue stripe.
And there is a cow in the center of the medallion. It is white with black
spots. The Egyptians considered a cow a sacred animal and worshiped its image.
