Antiquities and Ancient Art

Egyptian Tomb Raiders Cursed by Ancient Dentists

The big news this week comes from Egypt where in the sandy shadows of the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara three tomb robbers ignored the warnings of an ancient curse and were apprehended by police.

Three men had broken into the previously unknown graves of three 5th Dynasty royal dentists. The mud-brick and limestone burial shafts were decorated with with hieroglyphs, including one section warning that trespassers would be eaten by a crocodile and a snake.

According to the ancient inscriptions, the tombs were for the chief dentist - Iy Mry - and the other two - Kem Msw and Sekhem Ka. These men apparently looked after the teeth of the Pharaoh and other members of the Royal family, and indicates that dental health was an important consideration of the ruling class.

Egyptian archaeologists have begun explore these three new tombs and expect to find additional tombs in the same area.

A number of news organizations have covered the story, including:

• The UK Guardian
• MSNBC (Great Pictures and VIDEO)

Milestone 40th Catalogue of High Quality Antiquities Published

Fragments of Time has just released its 40th catalogue of antiquities entitled Ancient Art XL. The full-color catalogue contains more than 50 fine-quality antiquities spanning some 3,500 years, from pre-history to about 500 AD.

The catalogue continues the firm's tradition of providing complete descriptions and a selection of impeccable objects with sound provenance.

Highlights of the catalogue include:

From Egypt: A superb pre-dynastic alabaster "snake jar"; rare faience cup inscribed with the cartouche of Ramesses III; a fine sow amulet formerly in the renowned collection of Dr. Leo Mildenberg; and a well preserved shabti with a spell from Chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead. 

From Roman Period: bronze musical erote of exquisite workmanship; rare bronze genius statuette as togatus (in the image of the Emperor Augustus); several fine oil lamps, masterful Dionysiac terracotta juglet.

From Greek Lands: Sweet red-figure chous decorated with a singing bird and another with the head of a lady of fashion; a pristine Gnathian ephichysis; a well-made owl cup; and an important Geometric Period pitcher.

A free printed copy is available on request at Fragments of Time.