Arrowhead

Art Historical Context

This slender copper alloy arrowhead, to the early New Kingdom's Dynasty 18 (ca. 1550–1458 B.C.), hails from a golden era of ancient Egypt when pharaohs like Those III expanded the empire through military campaigns. Measuring 14.4 cm in length, it exemplifies the practical artistry of Egyptian weapon-making, designed for piercing power in archery—a vital skill for hunting, warfare, and royal hunts depicted in temple reliefs. Crafted from a durable copper alloy, likely cast or hammered with precision, the arrowhead showcases early metallurgical expertise that bridged the Bronze Age transition in Egypt. Its simple, barbed form optimized aerodynamics and lethality, reflecting the culture's blend of functionality and symbolism: weapons were not just tools but emblems of divine protection and pharaonic might. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1916, this artifact at the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a tangible link to the Nile Valley's warriors, inviting us to envision it soaring from a composite bow amid the sands of battle.