Walk Like An Egyptian – Ancient Jewelry
Israeli archaeologists revealed last month how gold has been valued through the ages and measures taken to keep them safe. While cleaning out a 3,000-year-old plain ceramic jug, technologists tipped it over and a set of gold jewelry spilled onto the table. The leading archaeologist, Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University, said it must have been hidden away for safekeeping – perhaps, for this Canaanite family of established wealth, to avoid having it stolen by a jealous rival or covetous servant.
The designs on the ancient ring, earrings, and beads were inspired by none other than the Egyptians, one of the richest cultures and most powerful empires of the time — similar to the inspiration we get from famous designers and celebrities today. Even then, ideas for what to wear on your neck, wrists, and fingers came from the elite, as most jewelry in Egypt was owned by pharaohs and priests. During this time in Egypt, jewelry went from a commissioned hobby to a profession, becoming a popular trade that could be learned by anyone given the opportunity. Goldsmiths, gem carvers, and middlemen became valuable specialized employees that worked tirelessly to meet the demand for sacred and symbolic pieces. Gold was easy to work with and plentiful, with sources to the South in Nubia and to the East in the desert. Called the “flesh of the gods,” gold was the predominant metal in ancient Egyptian jewelry.
Most of the gemstones used prominently would be considered only semiprecious today. The Egyptians were concerned more with the symbolic significance of the color than the rarity of the jewel. The widespread belief was that the gems carried special powers that they would bestow upon their wearer. While ancient Egyptians did wear jewelry to show off wealth and status, the pieces served a dual function, protecting them against evil forces and from being cursed. An amulet made of turquoise and lapis lazuli would ensure good luck. An amethyst talisman brought happiness. King Tut’s tomb contained hundreds of priceless pieces designed to ensure his safe travel to the afterlife.
The ancient Egyptians are considered by many historians to be the world’s first jewelry trendsetters, and they have set many of the attitudes about the function and purpose of jewelry in stone. Do we not still today wear certain pieces because of how they make us feel? Ask most women about what’s in their jewelry box and it’s likely that a lucky necklace or ring is part of the collection. If the belief in that protective power is strong enough, a lady will do everything in her power to protect the item – much like the Canaanite did with her collection in the ceramic jar 3,000 years ago.
