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This is an Egyptian monument that is written in hieroglyphs. Khabauptah, shown seated on the left holding a scepter and staff indicating high status, served as overseer of the royal manicurist for King Niuserre. We know from another monument that he also served as the royal hairdresser. An inscription on his tomb also tells us that he was a “king’s confidant” and “one beloved of his lord.” As with the Luwian inscription above (#8), some Egyptian hieroglyphs are readily recognizable, such as eyes and birds that you can see here. The signs are written from right to left in a combination of vertical and horizontal groupings.

 Reused Ostracon With a Hieratic Inscription

Name: The Royal Manicurist

Material: Limestone

Size:
Height: 25 cm (10 in)
Width: 63 cm (2ft 1 in)

Date: ca. 2477–2466 BCE, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5, Reign of Niuserre

Place of Origin: Sakkara, Egypt

Location: Oriental Institute Museum, Chicago, Illinois

Source and Registration#: Oriental Institute Museum 10815

Christopher Woods

Associate Professor of Sumerology, University of Chicago