Ushabti of the Chief Sculptor, Men

Ushabti of the Chief Sculptor, Men
c. 1375 BCE
RC 2084
Fine limestone, pigment

This statuette of a man, named “Men” may have belonged to the father-and-son team of Men and Bak, who were court sculptors for the pharaoh Amenhotep III, and later his son, King Akhenaten and is one of the finest surviving examples of a miniature mummiform statuette.

This large, brightly colored figure is a fine example of how most Egyptian statuary originally looked. The beautiful color on this ushabti has survived intact for over three thousand years. The paint on most surviving Egyptian statues has worn away.

The word ushabti is ancient Egyptian and may also be seen written as shabti, ushebtis or shawabtis. Ushabti may have been derived from the Egyptian word Swb, "stick" originally, and perhaps reinterpreted as from Egyptian word wSb "answer," or "respond" in the first millennium BCE.

Ushabtis are small figures in human form inscribed with a special formula to be recited, most often from the Book of the Dead, or of figures representing the function expressed in that spell, namely, to carry out heavy manual tasks on behalf of a person in the afterlife.

This ushabti holds work tools in its hands and is inscribed with chapter 6 from the Book of the Dead and is currently on display in The Akhenaten Shrine Gallery (D) in the Rosicrucian Egyptian museum.

Recipe for Fig Cakes

With an abundance of Figs in Ancient Egypt, many delicious dishes were created. Here is a modern version of an ancient delight! If we recall how costly and labor intensive the importing of spices was from foreign lands, we can be very grateful for the ease with which we obtain these items today.

• 1 package figs



• 1 cup slivered almonds



• 1 cup chopped walnuts



• Nutmeg



• Cinnamon



• Honey

With a mortar and pestle, or small food processor, grind almonds into small pieces. Set almonds aside. Grind walnuts until they are a paste consistency; add a small amount of water if needed. Set walnut paste aside. Grind figs, almond paste, a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a small amount of water. Roll the mixture into small one inch balls. Coat the balls with ground up almonds. Enjoy the sweet and healthy treat by dipping the fig balls in honey.

Henna in Ancient China!

October 5 Henna Workshop: Henna in Ancient China

The upcoming Henna Workshop will be held on October 5, and will explore the use of henna in China, as well as the ancient art of tattooing that has also been practiced there for thousands of years as another form of body decoration. We will even study the beautiful body art found on Chinese mummies!

Henna Workshop Background

Henna is a plant dye that has been used by many cultures throughout history to decorate the skin. The leaves of the henna plant, when dried and powdered, are mixed with an acidic liquid such as lemon juice. This mixture can be applied to the skin in designs and patterns, and will temporarily dye the skin an orange-brown color.

Every month, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum holds a Henna Workshop where, in addition to making and applying their own henna, guests will learn about the use of henna by a particular culture in history.

For September, we explored the use of henna by the Minoan civilization, a culture that inhabited the island of Crete in the Aegean Sea during the Bronze Age. The Minoans were a peaceful civilization that gave women a relatively prominent role in society. They built palaces at various sites in Crete, which included beautiful wall frescoes. These sites have provided us with the majority of our knowledge about Minoan culture.

One of the most striking qualities of Minoan culture is the art, where motifs of geometric patterns and natural subjects covered the surfaces of walls and pottery in sophisticated compositions. These included geometric patterns used in the “Palace Style” as well as beautiful depictions of marine animals such as dolphins, octopi and fish, known as the “Marine Style.”

We know that the Minoans had extensive contact with Egypt; Minoan art shows some Egyptian influence, and characteristically Minoan-style paintings have actually been found in ancient Egyptian structures. Texts from the period as well as art depicting women with red markings on their skin confirm that the Minoans used henna as a form of body decoration, probably utilizing designs similar to those used in their art.

As part of the workshop, guests learn to mix and apply their own henna. If you would like to use henna at home, here is a henna recipe:

• Henna powder (available at most Indian grocery stores or online)


• Lemon juice (or other acidic liquid - Coca-Cola will work too)


• Sugar


• Tea Tree Oil (or other essential oil of your preference)- this is optional


• Plastic sandwich bag

Directions:

1. Mix about 1 tablespoon of henna powder with about a teaspoon of sugar.


2. Add lemon juice to create a paste a little thicker than cake batter.


3. Add a few drops of essential oil, if desired. Tea tree oil works best to
   darken the henna stain.


4. Cover and allow to sit for at least 15 minutes (an hour or so is preferable).


5. Put henna into plastic bag and cut a tiny piece off of one corner of bag.


6. Apply henna to skin using bag as applicator (like decorating a cake!). For darkest stain, leave on overnight.


7. Do not remove henna until it has dried. When removing henna, scrape it off or wipe with oil (such as olive oil). The longer you avoid exposing the area to water, the longer the stain will last.

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum’s Henna Workshop is held on the first Sunday of every month. Complimentary tickets are available at the museum’s front desk on the day of the workshop, and are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, so make sure to come early to reserve your seat!

Pumpkins in the Park

Discovery Meadow
Guadalupe River Park & Gardens
Saturday, October 11, 2008
10:00 am - 4:00 pm




Join the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium as we celebrate “Pumpkins in the Park” at Guadalupe Park and River Gardens. This event is family friendly and a great way to begin the fall festival season.

This year our booth will give both children and parents the chance to create Anubis, Bastet and Egyptian Pumpkin masks. Fall was a time for celebrating the bountiful splendor of the Nile river valley, and although the ancient Egyptians did not grow pumpkins, they did have other types of squash, legumes and veggies.

Here, you will find more information on Pumpkins in the Park as well as a schedule of activities. Included are a Scarecrow Making Contest, live entertainment and lots of good food!

Fall Festival

Saturday and Sunday September 20-21, 2008

September in ancient Egypt was a time of great excitement. The waters of the Nile were beginning to recede and everyone was getting ready to plant the crops. To celebrate this exciting time the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium will be holding a Fall Festival full of exciting activities for everyone! This festival will feature a variety of fun family friendly events including hands-on workshops, special lectures and classes, and even an up close and personal look at some artifacts rarely seen by the public! Full event details and schedule.


Saturday activities will include:

• Historical Talks
• Tomb Tours
• Peace Garden Tour
• Armbands Workshop
• Kids Archaeology Dig Outside
• Planetarium Shows
• Pottery Class
• Visit to the Rosicrucian Research Library
• Harvest Race

Full Saturday Schedule here.

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Sunday activities will include:

• Historical Talks
• Tomb Tours
• Planetarium Shows
• Tour of Rosicrucian Park
• Hieroglyphic Workshop
• Kids Archaeology Dig Outside
• Lil’ Scarabs Touch Box Activity (actually handle selected ancient items!)
• Kids and Family jewelry in ancient Egypt class with jewelry making
• History Detectives Kids Investigation

Full Sunday Schedule here.

Please join us for this celebration of the Fall! For Questions, please email us.

Thursday Nights in September

Thursday Evenings in Egypt continue at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum during September!


As you may know, the Museum is now open until 8:00 pm each Thursday for your visiting convenience. In addition to our regular exhibits, please join us at the Rosicrucian Museum and Planetarium on Thursday evenings for very special family-friendly talks and tours. Each Thursday will feature a new theme of ancient Egyptian history and culture to explore.




Upcoming Thursdays during September:


September 11:
The Glory of the Gods:






5:00 Tomb Tour
5:30 Seth & Nephthys: Two Egyptian Gods
6:00 Osiris: Lord of the Afterlife
6:30 Isis: the Magical Queen
7:00 Tomb Tour
7:30 Horus: the God of Kingship






September 18:
Great Discoveries:



5:00 Tomb Tour
5:30 The Rosetta Stone
6:00 The Step Pyramid
6:30 The Child Mummy Sherit
7:00 Tomb Tour
7:30 Tutankhamen and his family

Thursday Nights in Egypt

Introducing Thursday Evenings in Egypt at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum!

As you may know, the Museum is now open until 8:00 pm each Thursday for your visiting convenience. In addition to our regular exhibits, please join us at the Rosicrucian Museum and Planetarium on Thursday evenings for very special family-friendly talks and tours. Each Thursday will feature a new theme of ancient Egyptian history and culture to explore.


Thursdays during the next two weeks:

August 28
Mummy Mania:


5:00 pm The Mummification Process
5:30 pm Tomb Tour
6:00 pm Shabtis: those statuettes you’ve wondered about (left)
6:30 Our Child Mummy
7:00 pm Our Animal Mummies (see above, left)
7:30 pm Tomb Tour


To learn more about Mummy Mania in our culture, you may wish to listen to our Podcast on Mummy Mania by Dr. Jasmine Day.

• Here's a video preview of one of the Mummies you will see!

September 4
A Royal Evening:


5:00 pm Tomb Tour
5:30 pm Cleopatra: A Remarkable Woman (left)
6:00 pm Kingship: How the Egyptians Ruled
6:30 pm Akhenaton: the Inspired Rebel
7:00 pm Tomb Tour
7:30 pm Ramses II: Builder and Publicist

Here's a glimpse of some of the Royal Objects you will see!

Visit us at the Tapestry Arts Festival!

Tapestry Arts Festival:
August 30 – September 1, 2008
Downtown San Jose

Join the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC as we celebrate the 33rd annual Tapestry Arts Festival in downtown San Jose. Tapestry Arts began in 1976 as part of the US’s bicentennial celebration and continues to this day with the annual Tapestry Arts Festival each Labor Day Weekend. The festival is a three-day celebration of the visual and performing arts held on the streets of downtown San Jose with proceeds funding scholastic and community art education / outreach programs.

We will have two booths, one for the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and one for the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, located in the “Creativity Zone,” near where Park Avenue crosses the Guadalupe River.

The Museum booth will offer visitors a chance to stamp their names in hieroglyphic on faux papyrus and put them in a custom Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium magnetic picture frame to keep. Indulge your creativity or just stop by for a chat!

Members of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC will be available to talk about the Order and its educational work worldwide, with explanatory materials, information about free public resources, etc.

Public Transport to the downtown Festival area is very easy! The Convention Center Station is the closest stop to the festival and is served by both light rail lines. Many bus lines and the Dash bus also serve the area. If you are driving, San Jose provides convenient parking alternatives in the area.

The festival runs

August 30 through September 1 (Saturday-Monday):

Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Monday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Attractions include live music, food, kids’ and grownups’ physical activities, an indoor home and garden show and plenty of fun and exciting arts and crafts!

Please come by our Booths and join in the fun and learning!

Initiatic Journey to Egypt

Mark Your Calendar!
INITIATIC JOURNEY TO EGYPT

Join Grand Master Julie Scott, other Rosicrucians, and friends on this inspiring Rosicrucian journey through Egypt, visiting Cairo, Luxor, and other cities of great importance in the Rosicrucian tradition.

View itinerary

Book Tour

FEATURED RECIPE – BASBOUSA

Looking for a quick and easy dessert recipe? Show your friends and family how special they are with this recipe for basbousa, a savory treat enjoyed in Egypt and throughout the Near East.

BASBOUSA INGREDIENTS:

Syrup Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• juice from 1 lemon (or 2 tablespoons orange juice)
• 1 teaspoon honey(optional)

Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups semolina
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• blanched split almonds
• whipped cream (optional)

PREPARATION:

Prepare syrup first. Dissolve sugar in water in a medium saucepan. Add lemon juice and bring to a boil. Once the syrup begins to boil, add in honey. Reduce heat and allow to slowly boil for about 8-10 minutes.Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9x12 baking dish.

Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine semolina, baking powder, and baking soda. Slowly add to butter and egg mixture. Stir in milk.

Pour mixture into baking dish and smooth with spoon.

Take a butter knife and make diagonal lines from left to right and complete to make diamond shapes. Place an almond in the center of each diamond. Bake for 25 minutes.

Remove cake from oven and pour syrup over cake until no more can be absorbed. Allow to cool for 20 minutes.

Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream.