Gebel el-Arak Knife, circa 3300 BCE, Ancient Egypt but Mesopotamian in origin and the Scorpion Kings

The Gebel el Arak knife is one of the greatest archaeological treasures from early pre-dynastic Egypt. It is an amazing piece of art and workmanship that dates back to 3,300 BCE to 3,100 BCE. It was found at or near the large Abydos funerary complex built for Seti I [ ca. 1300 BCE ]. Seti was son of Rameses I and father of Rameses II the Great.

Abydos a very old site was close to the center of the rulers or early kings who unified upper Egypt about that time. [ Upper Egypt is south, Lower, north, based on how the Nile flows.]
The two rulers who came to be known as Scorpion I and II. They were so named by archaeologists based on the depiction of of one of the second king with a scorpion which is also could be a symbol for the goddess Serket on an elaborately carved macehead from the period.

The Gebel el-Arak knife is not only unique for its beauty and quality, but the fact that it is very Mesopotamian in style and motifs and very likely in origin. The handle was probably made during the Uruk period in what is now Iraq.

The design significantly includes the popular motif found in later Assyrian cultures of the “Master of Animals”. The symbol usually shows a man, occasionally a priestess holding a large or dangerous animal at bay, like a lion. It was symbolic of of mastery, courage, power, control, and why so many kings were often shown in reliefs or steles as wrestling or strangling lions. The story of Hercules is a classic example of that powerful icon in Greek mythology and the many depictions of Alexander the Great in his “lion” style head gear.

The knife overall is about 10 inches long, the handle about 3.5 inches. The handle was carved from elephant tusk, the blade was made of fine yellowish flint and masterfully percussed and flaked as a ceremonial type or presentation gift. The bump on the handle contains a drilled hole to hold the blade in place with fine strap.

The knife has been in the Louvre Museum collection since its purchase from a Cairo dealer in 1914.