The Narmer palette

The vast Egyptian desert contains many treasures and monuments of the glorious ancient past that clearly testify to the greatness of the ancient Egyptian civilization and its achievements.

From time to time, some ancient secrets buried in the earth are discovered in the form of archaeological finds that reveal myths and facts about ancient times and their established religious and social beliefs. 

The Narmer Palette is considered an important and valuable example of the archaeological discoveries that have been found as it is a historical stone document that illustrates the beginning of unified Egyptian history in an official and early manner.

This rare artifact also provides some valuable information that talks about governance and conflict in this distant time as these discoveries highlight the stories and history of the past and the extent of human civilization’s development at that time.

This article presents historical interpretations of ancient symbols and beliefs.

These interpretations do not imply any endorsement of the religious ideologies of the time

The Narmer Palette is made of distinctive and smooth green schist stone. It was discovered near the important archaeological city of Edfu.

It has two faces that are inscribed with high precision and striking artistic skill and on each face, there are some drawings that refer to some important and pivotal events. 

On the first face, at the top, you see two women who have horns like cow horns, symbolizing the goddess Hathor with the royal serekh between them.

In the middle, you see the god Horus and an image of the king torturing an enemy before him and at the bottom, two defeated enemies are fleeing in great panic.

On the other face, you will see the same repeated image from the first face at the top.

In the middle, there is a symbolic image that expresses an organized ceremonial procession for the end of the war and the victory that was achieved.

At the bottom, there is an image of the king in the form of a strong bull symbolizing royal power and control and then you see a number of bound prisoners.

The Narmer Palette is considered a powerful and highly expressive visual document that illustrates the idea of unity and strength in ancient Egypt during that important foundational period of the state.

It is not just a beautiful and stunning artifact, but it has an invaluable historical symbolic importance. 

The inscriptions on it may speak clearly in symbolic terms about a pivotal and decisive era in Egyptian history which is the unification of the Two Lands, meaning the unification between the North and South under the rule of its founder, King Narmer. 

The figure of the king appears on the first face proudly wearing the white crown of the South and striking the enemy, while the second face represents the king with the red crown of the North, victorious and inspecting the defeated prisoners.

This elaborate and detailed depiction on both faces indicates the king’s power, might and prestige in deterring enemies, unifying the two conflicting regions and establishing a unified, strong and stable state.

The palette also contains some additional religious and political symbols that have different connotations related to war and sovereignty.

Beliefs and opinions vary regarding the actual use of the Narmer Palette in that early time.

It has been mentioned that some other palettes similar in shape might have been used for grinding cosmetics such as kohl and others. 

However, the Narmer Palette may seem relatively large and heavy which means it is practically impossible that it was used as a grinder for cosmetics for this common daily purpose.

But it is possible and highly probable that it was used in important religious and official ritual celebrations or as a sacred and symbolic commemorative image that was made to become an eternal memory expressing the victory of Narmer, the unifier of the Two Lands and it also indicates royal power and authority.

It might also have been an important commemorative propaganda tool that has a clear political objective, in order to affirm Narmer’s rule and legislation and demonstrate his power and control over the newly unified lands.

The important archaeological Narmer Palette was discovered during a moment of organized and precise excavation work during 1897-1898 AD, in the archaeological city of Nekhen, or what is known as Hierakonpolis, in Upper Egypt.

This ancient city is close to the famous temple of the falcon god Horus.

The British scholars James Quibell and Frederick Green discovered it there at the site, where it was named the Main Deposit in the Temple of Horus at the site.

Its estimated date, based on studies, may go back to approximately 3100 BC or slightly before.

At the moment the Narmer Palette was found, the famous and decorated Narmer macehead and the macehead of the earlier King Scorpion were also found.

These discoveries collectively are considered among the most prominent archaeological finds in the history of ancient Egypt as they provide very valuable information that talks about a specific and crucial time period.

The Narmer Palette addressed some important and central drawings on both faces, the most significant being the depiction of King Narmer, the unifier of the North and South.

His expressive artistic representation came as follows:

• On the first face: King Narmer is drawn wearing the White Crown, the crown of Upper Egypt which represents the South, holding one of the enemies before him and torturing him.
• On the other face: The king is drawn wearing the Red Crown, the crown of Lower Egypt which represents the North, celebrating his victories and his triumph over the enemies and his unification of the two conflicting lands.

There may be some other secondary drawings such as the enemies attempting to escape, the falcon god Horus and some of the king’s retinue as well.

King Narmer indeed played a distinct and decisive role in unifying Upper and Lower Egypt for the first time in history which has been illustrated by several diverse archaeological pieces of evidence.

The palette clearly showed that he won the battle and was victorious in it and this indicates the unification, control and power belonging to the strong king.

The palette is considered the strongest symbolic and political evidence that has been discovered for the unification of Lower and Upper Egypt.

Some historians and researchers have said that King Narmer founded a new city to be the administrative capital of unified Egypt which is the city of the White Walls, later named Memphis which was located between the North and South as an important center.

He promoted shared religious beliefs and he also established an effective and centralized administrative system in order to rule and control the unified country.

There is a group of clear and important symbols which could possibly point to religious connotations or any other potential connotations. Their precise interpretation by archaeologists is still ongoing and under scientific interpretation and discussion.

Among the most prominent and agreed-upon religious symbols are the following:

• The symbol of the cow’s head which appears at the top of the first face of the palette and this symbol clearly refers to the goddess Hathor, who is the goddess of the sky, happiness, motherhood and beauty.
• On the right side of the palette, there is a majestic falcon which represents the god Horus, who is the god of protection, the sky and kingship.
• It also contains the papyrus plant which could also carry important religious and political connotations representing the North.

The Narmer Palette illustrates many very strong and clear political messages, the most important of which are those that indicate:

• The papyrus plant represents Lower Egypt and its appearance in the scene of Horus subduing the enemy carries direct political and religious evidence of control.
• King Narmer is depicted as a strong and massive bull, destroying and torturing the enemy as the bull is a symbol of royal power, control and fertility.
• The organized celebratory procession on the palette includes figures celebrating the victory and carrying standards and depicts the defeated enemies who were eliminated by King Narmer.
• The depiction of the king wearing the two crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt on both faces of the palette clearly portrays the unification of the two regions under his single rule.
• The depiction of the heads of the goddess Hathor at the top and the god Horus, from whom something emerges that controls the papyrus plant, carries complex and important political and religious messages.

Narmer Palette is considered an important political and historical document and a primary source.

It contains drawings that illustrate the role of King Narmer in confirming unity under his rule as he was nicknamed the ‘Unifier of the Two Lands’.

In addition, he demonstrated his power and authority and linked it to the sacred divine will.

What does the Palette of Narmer represent?

It represents King Narmer decisively and definitively defeating the enemy of the North and triumphing over them.

It represents the unification of the northern and southern parts under his complete control and his celebration of the victory over the enemies in a huge and organized procession.

Where is the Narmer Palette today?

The original and famous Narmer Palette is located today in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

It is displayed among the first important artifacts that visitors see upon entering the museum.

How old is the Narmer Palette?

The Narmer Palette dates back approximately to the end of the fourth millennium BC, around the 31st century BC, meaning its age today is roughly more than 5100 to 5200 years.

What did Narmer do for Egypt?

King Narmer unified Upper and Lower Egypt under his rule and control for the first time in history and he established a unified capital for it called Memphis, located at the junction of the two united regions.