Vocabulary

Question 1

mastba

Answer 1

a flat-topped, rectangular tomb with sloping sides

Question 2

palace facade

Answer 2

a design element resembling the facade of a palace, found in tombs and temples

Question 3

uraeus

Answer 3

a stylized representation of a cobra used as a symbol of royalty and deity

Question 4

sed festival

Answer 4

a celebration held after a pharaoh had ruled for 30 years, symbolizing renewal and the ruler’s continued strength

Question 5

boundary ceremony

Answer 5

rituals conducted to mark and protect the boundaries of sacred or significant sites

Question 6

ka

Answer 6

the spiritual essence or life force of an individual, often depicted as a twin to the physical body

Question 7

nemes headdress

Answer 7

a striped headcloth worn by pharaohs, often adorned with the royal cobra (uraeus) and a false beard

Question 8

relieving chamber

Answer 8

a chamber built above burial chambers in pyramids to distribute the weight of the structure and relieve stress on the lower chambers

Question 9

pyramid texts

Answer 9

religious texts inscribed on the walls of pyramids, containing spells and rituals to guide the deceased pharaoh’s journey to the after life

Question 10

sema tawy

Answer 10

symbol representing the unification of upper and lower egypt, often depicted as a plant with intertwined stems

Question 11

palette

Answer 11

flat, often decorative, stone or wooden slabs used for grinding and mixing pigments, with some serving ceremonial or symbolic purposes

Question 12

mace head

Answer 12

heavy, often decorated, rounded end of a mace, a weapon/ceremonial object, signifying power and authority

Question 13

mummiform

Answer 13

resembling or shaped like a mummy, particularly in art/depictions of the deceased

Question 14

shabti

Answer 14

small figurines placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife by performing tasks or labor on their behalf

Question 15

was scepter

Answer 15

a symbol of power and dominion, featuring a straight staff with an animal head at the top, often associated with deities and pharaohs

Question 16

corbel vault

Answer 16

a construction where stones gradually project inward to form a vaulted ceiling

Question 17

cavetto cornice

Answer 17

a molding with a concave curve, often used as a decorative element

Question 18

ankh

Answer 18

a symbol resembling a cross with a loop at the top, representing life and immortality

Question 19

white/red crowns

Answer 19

symbolic crowns representing upper (white) and lower (red) egypt, often worn by pharaohs to signify their rule over the unifed kingdom

Question 20

pylon

Answer 20

massive monumental gateways marking the entrance of temples

Question 21

barque

Answer 21

a boat or ship used in religious processions and ceremonies, often associated with deities and their temples

Question 22

wedjat eyes

Answer 22

symbolic eyes, often depicted together, representing the protective and healing powers of the goddess hathor

Question 23

mater of animals motif

Answer 23

theme depicting a central figure often a deity or ruler, shown in control or harmony with various animals, emphasizing dominion over nature

Question 24

smiting scene

Answer 24

representation of a powerful figure, a pharaoh or deity, striking down enemies, symbolizing triumph over adversaries

Question 25

serekh/horus name

Answer 25

an early form of a pharaoh's name, often enclosed in a rectangular shape called a serekh, accompanied by the horus falcon symbol; represents the ruler's association with the god horus and their kingship

Question 26

amduat

Answer 26

funerary text, also known as the "book of the hidden chamber," describing the journey of the sun god Ra through the underworld during the nighttime hours

Question 27

house of million of years

Answer 27

a phrase associated with temples and tombs, expressing the wish for the eternal preservation and well-being of the deceased

Question 28

window of apperances

Answer 28

an architectural feature in temples, often high up on a wall, through which the sunlight would illuminate specific images or statues of deities during certain times of the day

Question 29

papyrus umbel

Answer 29

the flower cluster or bloom of the papyrus plant, represents lower egypt

Question 30

obelisk

Answer 30

a tall, slender, four-sided stone pillar with a pointed top, often erected as a monument or symbol of a pharaoh's power.

Question 31

barque shrine

Answer 31

a portable shrine in the shape of a boat used to house the sacred barque (boat) of a deity during religious processions

Question 32

blue crown

Answer 32

a crown worn by pharaohs, associated with war and victory, featuring a blue color and a conical shape

Question 33

composite crown

Answer 33

a combination of the white (upper) and red (lower) crowns, symbolizing the unification of the 2 regions under a single ruler

Question 34

hypostyle hall

Answer 34

a large hall in temples characterized by rows of columns supporting a roof, creating a forest-like effect and providing a space for religious ceremonies and gatherings

Question 35

colossi of memnon

Answer 35

gigantic stone statues of pharaoh amenhotep III near the valley of the kings

Question 36

canopic gods

Answer 36

four deities - imsety, hapy, duamuted, and qebehsenuef - associated with protecting and preserving the organs of the deceased in canopic jars during mummification

Question 37

ma'at

Answer 37

concept of truth, balance, and order, often personified as a goddess, played a crucial role in the judgement of the deceased's soul

Question 38

in-situ

Answer 38

"in place" - artifacts or structures remaining in their original location without being moved or disturbed

Question 39

pi-ramesse

Answer 39

a city built by pharaoh ramesses II, serving as his capital during part of the new kingdom period

Question 40

horn of qurna

Answer 40

a limestone ridge on the west bank of the nile near luxor, egypt, known for its tombs and rock-cut structures

Question 41

opet festival

Answer 41

an annual religious celebration, focused on the rejuvenation of the god Amun and the renewal of the pharaoh's divine power

Question 42

the beautiful feast of the valley

Answer 42

a festival honoring deceased ancestors, involving rituals, processions, and offerings at the tombs in the valley of the kings

Question 43

clerestory window

Answer 43

a element in temples, consisting of high windows or openings near the top of walls to allow natural light into the interior spaces