Palette or Amulet in the Shape of a Turtle

This object represents a river turtle, which early Egyptians may have considered a sinister creature of the muddy depths. By making an image of it, they believed they could put its power to good use.

• Medium: Graywacke
• Geographical Location: El Ma'mariya, Egypt
• Dates: ca. 3500-3300 B.C.E.
• Period: Predynastic Period, Naqada II Period
• Dimensions: 1 15/16 x 1 3/4 in. (5 x 4.4 cm)
• Collection: Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
• Museum Location: Brooklyn Museum, BMA, EXHIBITION-3, ECAMEA-3G55
• Accession Number: 07.447.619
• Image: CUR.07.447.619_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 0, 9/6/2007