Writing Tablet Amulet

The elongated rectangular amulet, with a notched suspension tube at the top, forms a stylized miniature writing tablet. The horizontally drilled hole in the suspension suggests that it may originally have been worn on a string. Similar amulets began to appear in the Late Period (664–332 BC). They were usually made from green, blue or dark stones and, like this piece, contain no inscription. Writing tablet amulets may refer to Chapter 94 of the so-called Book of the Dead, which requires the deceased to bring with them the writing tools of Thoth, who is the god of wisdom and science as well as the inventor of writing, and the mysteries which are in them. In possession of such an amulet, the deceased would have gained the knowledge to use any magical formula he might need on his journey in the afterlife. Originally, it might have been placed on the chest of the mummy along with several other amulets, to protect and empower the deceased during their voyage through the netherworld.