Egyptian Scarabs Scaraboids And Plaques From The Cracow Collections

Complete catalogue of Egyptian scarabs, scaraboids and other seal amulets (two hundred objects) from the Cracow museums. Most important items were partly published before by the same author some years ago (1985 and 1989) but now all of them are compared with new material unaccessible before and classified according to new standards in this field. For each object the author gives details not only about material, dimensions and state of preservation, but first of all the actually used typology is introduced and a description of the base is given. Iconographical analyse of the base's decoration follows (with parallels quoted), as well as the translation of the possible text, as in the case of objects with maxims and wishes. All bases, sides and backs are photographed, every inscribed or decorated base is additionally drawn. The material is classified by items such as royal and private names, phrases, representations of animals, hieroglyphic signs and other symbols. Such groups as heart scarabs, beetles with naturalistic lower part, flat winged scarabs from mummy nets are also included.

This collection of papers comprises almost all major areas of interest of Werner Vycichl: Egyptology and Coptology, Semitic linguistics, Beja (Northern Cushitic), Chadic, and general Semito-Hamitic (Afro-Asiatic) comparative linguistics.

This volume is paying homage to the memory of Werner Vycichl (1909-1999), one of the most outstanding figures of Semito-Hamitic (Afro-Asiatic) comparative linguistics. The contributions by well-known specialists comprise almost all principle branches of the Semito-Hamitic macrofamily. The volume is divided in five major sections following the areas of interest of W. Vycichl: Egyptology and Coptology, Semitic linguistics, Beja (Northern Cushitic), Chadic, and general Semito-Hamitic (Afro-Asiatic) comparative linguistics (Berber has been excluded, since we already have a separate Mémorial Werner Vycichl with articles only in Berberology). The volume is important for the researchers in all the linguistic fields enumerated above as well as for those interested in African or comparative linguistics in general.

This volume forms an illustrated catalogue of 430 scarabs, in the author's own collection, which are representative of types manufactured throughout the Pharaonic period. Arranged by design motif, the catalogue presents scarabs decorated with linear patterns, scrolls and spirals, Egyptian signs and symbols, circles and crosses, animals and humans, mythological figures and gods, and those inscribed with the names of pharaohs or mottoes. Each page contains one entry; the scarab is photographed, illustrated and described in Italian and in English. The introduction, which is also presented in English translation, described the use, manufacture and function of Egyptian scarabs.