The Two Non-Blue Amuns of the Shrine of Taharqa at Kawa *

Abstract

The Twenty-fifth Dynasty Shrine of Taharqa at Kawa, currently residing in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, was tested for the presence of Egyptian blue pigment by using photo-induced luminescence. Two blue-skinned depictions of the Nubian god Amun-Re were discovered, as well as two non-blue-skinned depictions of the Theban version of the god. The choice not to paint the two Theban Amun-Res blue, as was the accepted practice during this period, is analysed and conclusions are drawn about Taharqa and other Nubian kings of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. These conclusions have historic value because they offer insight into the actions and thoughts of the Nubian rulers, who would have been in control of declaring what iconography was acceptable. The conclusions were reached by taking into account the iconography of the shrine, the building projects of Taharqa, the evolution of the iconography of Amun-Re, and the symbolism of the colour blue in Egyptian art during this period.