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Writing board with an architectural drawing, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, ca. 1550–1295 B.C.
Egyptian; From western Thebes
Plastered and painted wood; W. 13 7/8 in. (35.2 cm)
Gift of Norman de Garis Davies, 1914 (14.108)

This fragmentary architectural drawing shows part of a small shrine (at upper right, in red) facing a body of water (at far left) and surrounded by trees within an enclosure wall of mud brick (in back). An orchard, also enclosed, runs parallel to the water. The measurements of the walls are written from right to left, and each begins with a hieroglyph in the shape of a forearm, which means "cubit," the Egyptian unit of length. This symbol is followed, in each case, by a number: an elongated semicircle stands for ten, and a stroke stands for one. Thus, the width of the orchard is thirty-two cubits.


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    Writing board with an architectural drawing, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, ca. 1550–1295 B.C.
    Egyptian; From western Thebes
    Plastered and painted wood; W. 13 7/8 in. (35.2 cm)
    Gift of Norman de Garis Davies, 1914 (14.108)