An analysis of the bracelets of Egyptian queens has revealed that Egypt and Greece engaged in trade during the Bronze Age, much earlier than previously thought. The study focuses on the glamorous silver bracelet that adorned the wrist of Queen Hetepheres I from the Fourth Dynasty, revealing a trade network between the ancient Egyptians and the Greeks dating back to 2600 BC BC. From the enchanting Cycladic Islands to bustling Lavrion in Greece, these discoveries paint a vivid picture of a world interconnected through trade and treasure.
The first things said about Queen Hetepheres
Queen Hetepheres, famous as ‘God’s Daughter’, was a queen of Egypt during the Fourth Dynasty (c. 2600 BC), wife of one king, mother of the next king, grandmother of two more kings and a character who is a bridge between the two kings. dynasties together. She married Sneferu and gave birth to the next king, Khufu, who built her a tomb and pyramid. The mothers of ancient Egyptian kings had a special status. Her later titles stemmed from her relationship with her son and his role as king.
For centuries, the burial place of Queen Hetepheres remained a mystery until it was discovered by chance in 1925. Explorers stumbled upon a previously hidden chamber in Giza, where they discovered her empty coffin. Initially, it was believed that Hetepheres was laid to rest near her husband’s pyramid chamber at Dahshur. However, her son, Khufu, ordered her tomb to be moved to Giza after it became a target for tomb robbers. The exact location of Queen Hetepheres’ body and other precious artifacts buried with her is unknown.
The mystery of Queen Hetepheres’s silver bracelet in the tomb
In the intact tomb of Queen Hetepheres I. (c. 2589-2566 BC), is the richest known tomb of the period, with many treasures including gilded furniture, golden vases and jewelry. They are inlaid with turquoise, lapis lazuli and carnelian in the shape of a butterfly.
The inner and outer surfaces of this small box or coffin are covered with gold leaf. The lid is attached to the back by a hinge and is opened by an ivory knob in the middle. Hieroglyphs on either side of the crown read: “Mother of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Hetepheres” and “Casket containing bracelets.” The word “bracelet” was added to the text in black ink by a scribe.
The bracelets are evidence for – as far as we know – the earliest trading activities between Egypt and Greece.
Modern analytical studies of silver bracelets
A team of experts led by Karin Sowada from the Department of History and Archaeology at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, analyzed corroded bracelet samples from the collection, currently housed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and published their findings in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.
According to the abstract of the article, the research team utilized XRF, micro-XRF, SEM-EDS, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and MC-ICP-MS in large quantities to obtain elemental and mineral components as well as lead isotope ratios, to understand the nature and metallurgical processing of the metal and identify possible ore sources. It was found that these pieces consist of silver with traces of copper, gold, lead, and other elements. The minerals are silver, silver chloride, and possibly a small amount of copper chloride. These proportions correspond only to those found in silver originating from the Aegean, Attica, and Anatolia—areas that flourished during the Bronze Age, before the Hellenistic period.
Perspective through Video
