A recently discovered ancient rock engraving in the Lower Nile Valley may provide a unique insight into the origins of Egyptian royalty. The artwork features an elite individual with characteristics similar to those of early Egyptian rulers, dating back to the initial unification of Egypt.

Approximately 6,000 years ago, Egypt underwent a significant transformation, ultimately resulting in the establishment of the Egyptian state under the first pharaoh, Narmer, around 3100! BCE. Despite its importance, this period in history remains relatively poorly understood by researchers.

In a study published in the journal Antiquity, a team of archaeologists analyzed a rock engraving near Aswan, Egypt. They found evidence suggesting that it may have been used to convey an individual’s power during the onset of Egypt’s First Dynasty.

“The formation of the ancient Egyptian state and the processes leading up to it are still challenging to comprehend,” said Dorian Vanhulle, an egyptologist at the Musée du Malgré-Tout and author of the research, in a statement. “The rock art of the Lower Nile Valley has the potential to help identify and analyze the earliest forms of political power in this region and how the landscape was utilized to express and consolidate authority. However, there are limited examples available for study.”

To determine the age of the panel, the researchers compared the engraving to similar imagery in contemporary art and craftsmanship. Their analysis suggests that the engraving dates back to the early fourth millennium BCE, during the transition from the Protodynastic to the Early Dynastic period.

The engraving depicts five figures pulling an ornate boat, a common motif in Egyptian iconography. The boat is being propelled by a standing figure holding a rudder-oar and appears to be transporting a seated figure. This seated figure bears a resemblance to depictions of powerful individuals on prestigious objects found at ancient centers of power during the formation of the Egyptian state. Notably, the figure features an elongated jaw, which suggests the presence of a false beard – a symbol associated with kingship during the First Dynasty.

“During the Predynastic and Protodynastic periods (c. 4500–3085 BC), which preceded Pharaonic Egypt, the boat motif was widespread and carried complex ideological and symbolic meanings,” Vanhulle explained.

The high quality of the engraving suggests that it was likely commissioned by a powerful individual, according to the researchers. They also emphasized that the rock panel is a valuable addition to the limited body of engravings that help shed light on the events leading to the unification of Egypt. Rock engravings were a key medium through which political figures expressed their power, and they provide insight into how local communities viewed elite individuals during the formation of the Egyptian state.

The researchers stress that much more artwork remains to be recorded and analyzed – and that this work is urgent, as many of these images are at risk of disappearing.

“The landscape of the valley and its desert margins is currently being irreparably altered by threats such as mining and quarrying activities,” Vanhulle said. “The importance of conducting rescue missions, such as the one that led to the discovery of this panel, cannot be overstated.”