Ostracon of Prince Sethherkhepshef
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| Sethherkhepshef in hieroglyphs |
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The Ostracon of Prince Sethherkhepshef is a painted limestone figured-ostracon of the son of Ramesses III. It is a standing, figured profile of Prince Sethherkhepshef (who later ascended the throne as Ramesses VIII) in an adoration pose, with outstretched arms, a sceptre in his left hand, and right hand, palm-forward. Behind Sethherkhepshef in a standard layout of figures and writing, is a vertical column of hieroglyphs reading "king's son of his body, his beloved" with his name (Seth-her-kepesh) appearing at the end.
The ostracon was found in the Valley of the Queens, where a tomb (QV43) was built for the prince. It is currently in the Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy.
Egyptian ostraca were used for artist's sketchings, cartoons-caricatures, letter documents, school–practice writing, and graffiti. This particular ostracon may be a sketch by an artisan working on the prince's tomb.
References
- Johnson, Paul. The Civilization of Ancient Egypt. Harper Collins. 1999. P. 165: "Ostracon...business record of Prince Sethinkhopsef". (hardcover, ISBN 0-06-019434-0)