"Two Fingers" Amulet

Artist Unidentified

Period Late Period (Ancient Egyptian, 664–332 BCE)

Period Ptolemaic Period (Ancient Egyptian, 304–30 BCE)

Dynasty Dynasty 26 (Saite) (Ancient Egyptian, 664–525 BCE)

Place of OriginEgypt

Dateabout 664-30 BCE

Dimensions2 3/4 in. (6.9 cm)

Mediumslate

ClassificationJewelry

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1906.54

Not on View

DescriptionRepresenting two outstretched fingers, the first and second of right hand.

Label TextThis small stone object is an example of a “Two Fingers” amulet, a type of ancient Egyptian charm used in burials. It shows two outstretched fingers—usually the index and middle fingers of the right hand—and was placed on the body during mummification. The embalmers made a cut on the left side of the body to remove the organs, and this amulet was laid near that incision to protect and magically heal the wound. Ancient Egyptians believed the body had to remain whole and unharmed for the person to live again in the afterlife. The two fingers may represent the hand of Anubis, the jackal-headed god of embalming, whose role was to care for and protect the dead. Made of dark stone, this amulet comes from the Late Period or Ptolemaic Period (roughly 664–30 BCE), when magical tools like this played an important role in preparing the dead for eternal life.