Cowroid

In today's world, Cowroid has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide range of people. From its origin to its impact on society, Cowroid has sparked debates and reflections in different areas. In this article, we will explore the many facets of Cowroid, analyzing its evolution over time, its implications in everyday life, and its relevance in various contexts. Whether Cowroid is a person, a phenomenon, a historical event or any other topic, its study and understanding are essential to better understand the world in which we live.

Cowroid seal inscribed for Hatshepsut (1479–1458 B.C.), Met Museum

The cowroid (or cauroid[1]) was an ancient Egyptian seal-amulet that imitated the cowrie shell.[2]

Use

Cowroid girdle amulet (with a ventral opening) belonging to Sithathoriunet (1887–1813 B.C.), MET

When incorporated into a woman's girdle, cowroids would've had an apotropaic use protecting the wearer from unwanted forces affecting this area of the body, particularly during pregnancy.[3]

History

See also: Cowrie

In Pre-dynastic Egypt and Neolithic Southern Levant, cowrie shells were placed in the graves of young girls.[4] The modified Levantine cowries were discovered ritually arranged around the skull in female burials. During the Bronze Age, cowries became more common as funerary goods, also associated with burials of women and children.[5]

Dynastic Egypt

From the late Old Kingdom onwards, cowrie shells were being imitated in blue-glazed composition and other semi-precious stones, with gold and silver examples known from the Middle Kingdom. As time progressed, they corrupted into a simple back design devoid of a ventral opening and were usually inscribed. Cowroids were commonly used during the Middle Kingdom, the Second Intermediate period, the 18th and 19th Dynasties, and the Saitic period.[6]

Pale blue glass cowroid, 18th Dynasty
Cowroid seal amulet inscribed with a Bolti fish
String of 46 cowroids inscribed with various hieroglyphs
Cowroid seal amulet inscribed with a decorative pattern
Cowroid steatite seal amulet with the name of the Hyksos King Apepi

See also

References

  1. ^ Steymans, Hans Ulrich; Quick, Laura; Vayntrub, Jacqueline (2024-11-28). Ancient Near Eastern Iconography and the Bible: Erwin Panofsky and Othmar Keel in Dialogue. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-567-69183-5.
  2. ^ Benge, Elizabeth (2023-10-03). "The Ocean's Currency: Cowrie Shells in African Art". Art Institute Chicago.
  3. ^ Scarabs for the Children (2020), Maria Nilsson,17
  4. ^ Golani, Amir (2014). "Cowrie Shells and their Imitations as Ornamental Amulets in Egypt and the Near East". Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranea: 71–94.
  5. ^ Kovács 2008: 17
  6. ^ Stern, Ephraim (1984). Excavations at Tel Mevorakh, 1973-1976: The Bronze Age. Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. p. 61.