The Early Dynastic origin of the water-lily motif

Thanks to one of the authors, Elena Marinova, for sending the PDF version of the following article to the Archaeobotany mailing list. If you want a copy please email me and I'll forward it on: andie at oddthing.co.uk.

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The Early Dynastic origin of the water-lily motif by Tanja Pommerening, Elena Marinova and Stan Hendrickx

Association Égyptologique Reine Élisabeth
Chronique d'Égypte
ISSN 0009-6067
LXXXV (2010) - FASC. 169-170, pages 14-40

The association of the water-lily (Nymphaea) with architecture and art is one of the most familiar visual aspects of the ancient Egyptian culture. For example during the Middle and New Kingdoms, large quantities of different types of objects are decorated with water-lilies (1). During the Early Dynastic period, the number of representations is more limited and the find contexts more restricted. Nevertheless, early representations are crucial for understanding the origin of the water-lily motif that becomes popular in ancient Egypt during subsequent periods.