Ethiopian hieroglyphics ?

[Midas]

Does anybody know the backstory to this image ? It was apparently found in Axum. The symbols look really strange and nothing like ge'ez.

 

[TheLand]

The engraving by James Heath (1757–1834), titled A Table of Hieroglyphics, Found at Axum 1771, likely represents an ancient artifact discovered in Axum (Aksum), a historically significant city in present-day Ethiopia. Axum was the capital of the Aksumite Empire, which flourished from around 100 CE to 940 CE and played a crucial role in trade, politics, and early Christianity in Africa.





Historical Context of the Engraving:


• The artifact depicted in the engraving appears to be a magical or protective stele, possibly inspired by ancient Egyptian or Greco-Roman influences. The figure in the center resembles Harpocrates (Horus the Child), an Egyptian deity often shown standing with his finger to his mouth, linked to secrecy and protection.


• Surrounding the figure are hieroglyphic inscriptions and depictions of sacred animals, such as serpents and crocodiles, which were commonly associated with protection in Egyptian and Nubian magical stelae.


• The mention of “Axum†suggests that the artifact was either discovered in Ethiopia or connected to the broader influence of Egyptian and Greco-Roman culture in East Africa.





Who Discovered the Artifact in 1771?


• The date 1771 likely refers to the Scottish explorer James Bruce, who traveled through Ethiopia in the late 18th century. Bruce was one of the first Europeans to extensively document Axum’s ancient ruins, stelae, and inscriptions, including the famous Obelisks of Axum.


• If Bruce or his expedition indeed encountered this artifact, it would have contributed to early European knowledge of Ethiopia’s deep historical connections to Egypt and the broader ancient world.





Engraver: James Heath


• James Heath (1757–1834) was a prominent British engraver known for working on historical and scientific illustrations.


• His works often accompanied travelogues, archaeological discoveries, and academic publications.


• This particular engraving may have been included in a travel or historical book about Ethiopia, possibly related to James Bruce’s accounts.





Possible Interpretation of the Artifact


• It might represent an Egyptian-influenced magical cippus (protective stele), similar to those depicting Horus overcoming dangerous animals like crocodiles and snakes.


• This suggests that the artifact could have had protective, healing, or religious significance, reinforcing the idea of cultural exchanges between Egypt, Nubia, and Axum.