Narmer Palette

The Narmer Palette is a five-thousand-year-old engraved stone tablet that purportedly shows the unification of Egypt’s two kingdoms under the rule of its first king. The tablet is believed to have been made about 3200–3000 Before the Common Era (BCE) and depicts a victorious King Narmer subjugating his enemies while wearing the two crowns of a united Egypt. In one engraving, Narmer is pictured ready to strike a kneeling man with a mace while the gods look on approvingly. The shield-like tablet was first discovered in the late nineteenth century and was originally thought to represent an actual historical battle. However, many modern archaeologists believe that Narmer united Egypt’s Lower and Upper Kingdoms peacefully, and the tablet was an ancient attempt at propaganda.

Background

Archaeological evidence suggests that humans first inhabited the fertile region around the Nile River in northern Africa about 8000–6000 BCE. The cultures of the area began to farm the land and established communities that expanded over centuries. About 3400 BCE, the people of Egypt developed a form of picture writing called hieroglyphic script. By examining this writing, modern scholars have determined that Egypt at the time was divided into two kingdoms: Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. The kingdoms were named in relation to the direction in which the Nile flowed, so Upper Egypt was farther south near modern-day Sudan, and Lower Egypt was near the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean Sea.

Historical accounts written during later Egyptian dynasties claim that the two kingdoms of Egypt were united by the military might of King Menes about 3100 BCE. However, no archeological records from the time mention a king named Menes. Many modern experts believe Menes—which means “he who endures” in ancient Egyptian—may have been an honorific title and not a true name. Hieroglyphic evidence from the period does make many references to King Narmer, leading to the belief that Narmer and Menes may have been one person.

Some archaeologists contend that Narmer was actually the last king of Upper Egypt before the land was united by his successor. However, the consensus is that Narmer was in power when the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt joined together between 3200 and 3000 BCE. Archaeologists believe that this union was accomplished peacefully and marked the start of Egypt’s three-thousand-year dynastic period.

Overview

While Narmer most likely unified Egypt peacefully, he wanted people to believe he accomplished the feat using his power and military prowess. About 1897, archeologists excavating the ancient Egyptian capital of Hierakonpolis found a roughly 2-foot (61-centimeter) tall siltstone with engraved images on both sides showing various battle scenes, soldiers in captivity, and animals. Hieroglyphics on the stone identified its main figure as Narmer. These types of stones were palettes typically used to grind ingredients used to make ancient cosmetics. However, palettes used for cosmetics had engravings on only one side. This palette had images on both sides, suggesting its purpose was ceremonial.

The Narmer Palette resembles a V-shaped shield and contains some of the earliest examples of Egyptian hieroglyphics ever discovered. On one side of the palette is the towering figure of Narmer leading an army into battle while wearing the red wicker crown of Lower Egypt. In front of him march his bearers, and to their right are ten decapitated corpses with their heads lying between their feet. Archaeologists speculate that the hieroglyphics above the dead figures may represent the names of conquered towns.

Below this image is a representation of two men holding two lions with serpent-like necks. The beasts’ necks are intertwined, which possibly represents the joining of the two kingdoms, though this interpretation is just speculation. At the bottom of the palette is the image of a bull trampling on a fallen enemy while breaking city walls. Because the bull was a symbol of royalty, this image was meant to signify Narmer destroying his foes.

The other side of the stone is dominated by a 15-inch (38-centimeter) image of Narmer wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt. Narmer holds a kneeling prisoner by the hair and is poised to strike the man with a large mace. Above Narmer, to the right, is a hawk representing the god Horus. Horus holds a rope attached to a human head through the nose, possibly signifying the god bringing more prisoners to Narmer. This would have signaled Horus approving of Narmer’s actions. Below the large image of Narmer are two men who are either dead or trying to flee from the king’s justice. Hieroglyphics on this side of the palette have been translated as “the hawk smites the delta people,” or “Narmer takes six thousand captives.”

Looking on from the top of both sides of the Narmer’s Palette are two representations of a cow or bull. Some archaeologists interpret these as additional royal symbols meant to demonstrate the king’s power. Others believe that they represent the cow goddess Hathor. In this context, the images would signify Narmer’s status as an equal of the gods.

The battles depicted on the palette may have simply been Narmer’s way of creating a legacy for himself that exaggerated the truth. However, some archaeologists question whether Egypt was truly united during Narmer’s time. Evidence from Egypt’s second dynasty, which began its rule about 2890 BCE, shows signs of conflict between Upper and Lower Egypt. Because of this, some experts contend that Egypt was not truly united until the reign of King Khasekhemwy in 2680 BCE.

In the twenty-first century, interpretations of Narmer’s Palette continued to evolve, and technological innovations were used to better study the artifact. A digital reconstruction project aimed to create a more accurate idea of the physical appearance of Narmer, and studies of different aspects of the Palette, including its symbolism and artistic conventions, were also studied. Research also suggested that rather than depicting an actual historical event, the Palette may have just been symbolic of the concept of unification. 

Bibliography

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