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Large Knife

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

As early as the Predynastic Period, weapons were included in men’s graves, and later in tombs. Thus, the beginnings of different customs in burial for men and women began in the earliest period and continued for thousands of years. These weapons accompanied the deceased into the afterlife for use there.
MEDIUM Chert
  • Reportedly From: Adaima, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 3400–3200 B.C.E.
    PERIOD Predynastic Period, late Naqada II to Naqada III Period
    DIMENSIONS 2 3/8 x 1/4 x 7 7/8 in. (6 x 0.7 x 20 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 09.889.121
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Large knife of light brownish, partly conical chert. One face polished, the other flaked all over, with transversal ridges, extremely low, radiating from median line; on one spot of this a patch of the previous polished surface remains, which is left largely at butt. Fine bifacial retouch on back edges and butt, fine bifacial serration all along the cutting edge. The back edge is straight, the cutting edge gently curved, finally curving in a hemicycle to back edge, the butt rounded. Condition: Three minor chips.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Large Knife, ca. 3400–3200 B.C.E. Chert, 2 3/8 x 1/4 x 7 7/8 in. (6 x 0.7 x 20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 09.889.121. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.889.121_front_PS1.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 09.889.121_front_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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