A diver inspects portions of a cella, a rectangular room found inside Greek temples, one of about 250 ancient Egyptian artifacts once thought to be lost to history, now on display in Paris.
Archeological excavations in Aboukir Bay near Alexandria, Egypt have unearthed instruments of rituals and cults in the channels of water near the sanctuary of Thonis-Heracleoin since its rediscovery in 2000. Items such as donation plates, bowls, oil lamps (pictured) have been brought back to the surface and will now go on display in Paris for the first time.
Archaeologists at the site suggest artifacts like these were used for the famous ceremonies at the sanctuaries of Thonis-Heracleoin and Canopus, that honored the ancient Egyptian god, Osiris.
This spectacular sculpture gneiss (a stone similar to granite) dates back to the 26th Dynasty. It shows the resurrection of the god Osiris. He is dressed with a crown known as "tchenie" (which means "rise up") while Its materials (gold, bronze, electrum) evoke the radiations of the celestial sun.
An artists' rendering of what the legendary port city of Thonis-Heracleion might have looked like at its height of prosperity.
Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation
This amulet shows the eye of the falcon god Horus, son of Osiris. The "oudjat" or whole eye, is also the symbol of the full moon, whose disc is reformed gradually over 14 days. The popular amulet symbolizes the restoration of Osiris' body which had been cut up into 14 pieces.
Archeologists from IEASM also discovered numerous lead votive candle holders strewn across the canals and port basins around the Amon Gereb temple on the site of Thonis-Heracleion.
To compliment the exhibition at the Arab World Institute, the Egyptian museum of Cairo is providing several pieces for display. During the "Mysteries of Osiris" (a religious festival), two models of Osiris were made -- one of Osiris in vegetables -- made of lemon and grains put to seed -- illustrated the replenishment of nature; while the other was made of lemon, resins and precious stones. The two statuettes were mummified in line with the required rituals and left for a year in a provisional tomb before being placed in their final tomb for the "Mysteries" of the following year.
Here, a diver inspects a recovered black granite statue depicting a priest's head. The scalp is probably shaven, as was befitting of priests, for reasons of purity. The cheekbones are pronounced and the cheeks hollowed. On the forehead, the scarification mark of priests is visible and the eyes, now hollowed out, would have been incrusted with something unknown today.
Here the god Bes is depicted raising a fist, with the image of the god Apis in his headdress. The role of Bes was as protector of households from nefarious forces, bad spirits and dangerous animals. This relief of Bes of Thonis-Heracleion is thought to have protected either a chapel or a sanctuary.
