Classification
By Sir William Flinders Petrie, «Amulets», 1914
There are 275 different types belonging to 5 categories:
a) Amulets of assimilation
Parts of the body responsible for a dedicated function
Leg in carnelian H 1.7
Dynasty 5-12
Improves mobility
Heart in lapis lazuli H 1.2
Late Period
Improves will in ancient Egypt
Blue glazed double ear H 1.4
New Kingdom
Improves hearing
b) Amulets of power
Given in particular to the dead or attributed to a deity
Serpentine ostrich feathers
H 2.4 Late Period
Enable the Ba, a spiritual concept, to access eternal life
Yellow glazed pesesh-kef
H 2.8 Late Period
Enables the mummy to open his mouth to speak, eat, drink and breathe
Agate Neith goddess emblem
H 1.9 Late Period
Two bows tied together, Neith was a war goddess
c) Amulets of possession and offering (in limited number)
Trussed double ducks in breccia H 4.0
New Kingdom
Food offering
Serekh in sard H 2.3 Dynasty 1
Old Kingdom
To preserve the name
Green glazed shenti loin cloth H 3.7
Late Period
Possession of clothes
d) Amulets of protection
Carnelian scarab god Khepri
L 1.0 New Kingdom
Symbol of the perpetual renewal of the sun and eternity
Greywacke enthroned Osiris with atef crown
H 4.0 Late Period
Saite Dynasty 26
Symbol of resurrection
Blue glazed Isis knot H 2.7
New Kingdom
Late Dynasty 18
Protects the mummy
e) Amulets of gods, goddesses and sacred animals
