Awl
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
1 of 2
Object Label
Tools
Egyptian workers, including artisans, farmers, and fishermen, required a wide variety of specialized tools.
Woodworkers employed axes that had copper or bronze blades lashed to wooden handles with leather.
Carpenters produced smooth surfaces with copper chisels, often with serrated edges.
Tanners used broad, flat knives to cut strips of leather for sandals, harnesses, and whips, which they then pierced with metal awls.
Field hands cut grain with curved sickles fitted with small flint blades.
Fishermen relied on metal hooks with tiny barbs, much like their modern-day equivalents.
Officials used siphons to inspect the liquid contents of vessels without breaking through the protective mud seals.
Egyptian workers, including artisans, farmers, and fishermen, required a wide variety of specialized tools.
Woodworkers employed axes that had copper or bronze blades lashed to wooden handles with leather.
Carpenters produced smooth surfaces with copper chisels, often with serrated edges.
Tanners used broad, flat knives to cut strips of leather for sandals, harnesses, and whips, which they then pierced with metal awls.
Field hands cut grain with curved sickles fitted with small flint blades.
Fishermen relied on metal hooks with tiny barbs, much like their modern-day equivalents.
Officials used siphons to inspect the liquid contents of vessels without breaking through the protective mud seals.
Caption
Awl, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.. Bronze, wood, 11/16 x 3 5/8 in. (1.7 x 9.2 cm) handle: 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 14.633.2. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Title
Awl
Date
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom
Geography
Place excavated: Sawama, Egypt
Medium
Bronze, wood
Classification
Dimensions
11/16 x 3 5/8 in. (1.7 x 9.2 cm) handle: 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
Accession Number
14.633.2
Frequent Art Questions
What is an awl?
It is something used to punch holes in materials like leather. It's the object next to the siphon with a rounded, wooden handle and a bronze point.
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