Magic Wand For A New Dynasty

[Robert F. Smith]

The remains of an Egyptian king (Senebkay) of a previously unknown dynasty (apparently with 16 kings) was recently discovered in Abydos, Egypt.  The discovery was made by a team from the University of Pennsylvania, and accounts of the circumstances are available on several sites:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/91651.aspx , and http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140116190323.htm .

 

What is particularly interesting is that a magic wand belonging to this king was found and published over a century ago.  An image of that magic wand and the hieroglyphic text upon it is at  http://www.egyptologyforum.org/bbs/CG_9433_(JE34988)_-a.jpg , and  http://www.egyptologyforum.org/bbs/Abydos_baton.pdf .  First published in Randall-MacIver, El-Amrah and Abydos (London 1902), 69, 87, 92, 96, 100, pl. XLIII, the wand reads “The good god, lord of the Two Lands, lord of doing things, son of the Sun Se[n]eb-Kay beloved of Isis the goddess (?)” (p.96).  See also Daressy, Textes et dessins magiques (Cairo, 1903).

 

 

 

 

[strappinglad]

As I don't read French, could you clarify why it is referred to as a 'magic' wand.

[Storm Rider]

Strapping, all that is said is a brief description of the wand itself. It does not explain why it is referred to as a magical wand.

[Robert F. Smith]

As I don't read French, could you clarify why it is referred to as a 'magic' wand.

Here is an explanation from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, featuring a wand contemporary with Father Abraham (Dynasty 12), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/544149?pos=1 .  You can see several other wands on that site, as well as here http://www.google.com/search?q=ancient+egyptian+magic+wands&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1szcUtOwFpDtoASjoYLYCA&ved=0CDQQsAQ&biw=1271&bih=709 .