~ Early Kingdom ~

The first age of Sakhmet under unified rule, the Early Kingdom saw the genesis of modern pottery techniques, including basic firing methods for clay vessels and early experiments in glazing. Most of the handiwork is simplistic, and images depicted are strictly representational. Few Early Kingdom artifacts survive today, since the majority were made of easily degradable natural materials.

Desert Blumaroo Statue

Fiery Jug

Hand Painted Pot

Twin Pot Set

~ Middle Kingdom ~

With their growing prosperity during the Middle Kingdom period, Lost Desert natives began to work in a variety of metals, such as gold and copper. Art became more symbolic, due in part to the establishment of a universal Sakhmet language and a reliance on shared concepts over direct representations. Sculpting and glazing techniques were refined, allowing for more detail in their delicate terracotta vessels. Blue, the colour of water and life, figures prominently in Sakhmet art.

Delicate Terracota Jug

Golden Patterned Vase

Golden Water Lily Bowl

Jewel Encrusted Bowl

Jug with a Hole

Terracota Lamp

~ Late Kingdom ~

Increasing contact with other cultures created a demand for Sakhmet art abroad. As a result of this new commercial focus, many items were mass-produced for export during this period. Many technical processes were standardized by this time, and fiscal concerns often caused speed and ease of duplication to supplant creativity. Artifacts from the Late Kingdom are characterized by a growing emphasis on repetitive geometric symbols and single-colour painted details.

Black Osiris Vase

Black Osiris Urn

Black Osiris Plate

Dual Vase Ornament

Treasures of the Pharaohs

King Coltzan III

Last Pharaoh

of the Late Kingdom

A cultural emphasis on the afterlife ensures a never-ending supply of tombs, mastabas, and pyramids for modern Neopian archaeologists to explore. King Coltzan III, one of the more recent rulers of the Lost Desert kingdoms, allowed many such excavations to take place, with the caveat that only scholarly and respectful exploration of the tombs would be tolerated.

None of the royal artifacts that you see in this wing of the museum are originals; by order of King Coltzan, copies were made by master craftsmen so that the tombs would remain undisturbed.

Preparing for the Next Life

The afterlife, as conceived by the natives of Sakhmet, is composed of two phases: a time of judgment in a world of the spirit, and a reunion of the spirit with the body which results in a physical resurrection and eternal life in the land of the gods. During the interim, the spirit could visit the body -- thus, it was vitally important to provide for the needs of the living within the tomb of the deceased. 

Mask of Coltzan

Cheops Juice

Pitcher of Water

Pyramibread

Mummified Pepper

Most food items contained within a tomb were preserved, either in brine or alcohol, or through dehydration. Rare items, such as this pepper imported from Tyrannia, were mummified, ensuring that they would last long into the afterlife. Similar items are sold all over the Lost Desert, with edible wrappings made of dried date paste, rolled flat and cut into strips.

Scarabs: Eternal Servants in Miniature

In most Lost Desert royal tombs, intricately carved and painted scarabs were buried alongside the occupant to act as ushabtis (or shawabtis), tokens that were assigned specific tasks so that the Pharaoh would have a full complement of servants in the afterlife. Each one performs a vital function, such as the Water Scarab, which digs wells so that the Pharaoh will have an adequate supply of fresh drinking water. In modern Neopia, combatants in the Battledome have discovered many additional uses for these jeweled servants. Here, we have a selection of fine royal Scarabs...

Hand Painted Scarab

Earth Scarab

Flying Scarab

Brass Scarab

Weird Scarab

Darkness Scarab

Jeweled Scarab

Golden Scarab

Winged Scarab

Scarab Amulet