Funerary stela of the Lady Cherdankh

Graeco-Roman Period, 332 B.C. - A.D. 330

Granodiorite, findspot not known

During the Ptolemaic Period there was a tendency to record more personal information on one's funerary stelae, or tombstones. This long inscription in hieroglyphs on this stela contains the tale of the Lady Cherdankh's death, as recorded by her heirs. It seems that she met her demise one day while she was swimming in the River Nile unaware of the fact that a crocodile was lurking in her vicinity. The crocodile attacked and killed her in an episode to which many living in the State of Florida can relate.

Photo courtesy of Roemer und Pelizaeus Museum

Splendors | Artifacts | Previous Artifact | Next Artifact