Ostracon Collection

An illiterate voter asking Aristides to write his name on a shard of pottery used as a ballot (colour litho)
6000261 An illiterate voter asking Aristides to write his name on a shard of pottery used as a ballot (colour litho) by Wulff

Ostracon, New Kingdom, c. 1295-c. 1186 BC (painted limestone)
2645236 Ostracon, New Kingdom, c.1295-c.1186 BC (painted limestone) by Egyptian 19th Dynasty (c.1292-1187 BC); 27x42 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Ostracon, inscribed in hieratic in black and red with a large part of the story of Sinuhe
1216437 Ostracon, inscribed in hieratic in black and red with a large part of the story of Sinuhe (limestone) by Egyptian 19th Dynasty (c.1292-1187 BC); 90x30.2 cm; Ashmolean Museum

Limestone ostraca with humorous sketches in red and black ink
1216433 Limestone ostraca with humorous sketches in red and black ink (limestone painted with black & red ink) by Egyptian 19th Dynasty (c.1292-1187 BC); 9.3x8.5 cm; Ashmolean Museum

Ostrakon depicting the head of a lion and four quail chicks, probably from Thebes
BAL85708 Ostrakon depicting the head of a lion and four quail chicks, probably from Thebes, 19th-20th Dynasty (painted limestone) by Egyptian; length: 16 cm; British Museum, London, UK; Egyptian

Ostrakon with a male figure, from Deir El-Medina (painted limestone)
ALG223609 Ostrakon with a male figure, from Deir El-Medina (painted limestone) by Egyptian 19th Dynasty (c.1292-1187 BC); Egyptian Museum, Turin

Limestone ostracon with humorous sketches in red and black ink
1216434 Limestone ostracon with humorous sketches in red and black ink (limestone painted with black & red ink) by Egyptian 19th Dynasty (c.1292-1187 BC); Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Ostrakon depicting two men fighting with sticks, from Deir El-Medina
XIR200015 Ostrakon depicting two men fighting with sticks, from Deir El-Medina, New Kingdom (painted stone) by Egyptian 19th Dynasty (c.1292-1187 BC); Louvre, Paris, France; Egyptian, out of copyright

Ostracon Fragment, Cheetah, Bird and Monkey, Egypt. Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Egyptians ostraca
Egyptians ceramic ostraca in demotic script with references to the mummification and burial. Ptolemaic era. Middle Demotic period. 400-30 BC. From Thebes and Asyut. British Museum. London

Aristides Ostracised
Aristides the Just, victor of the Battle of Marathon, is approached in the Agora by an illiterate citizen, asking him to carve his name on a shell. Aristides is then ostracised

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Discover the intriguing world of ancient Egyptian ostraca, these fragile shards of limestone or pottery served as canvas for the illiterate, who entrusted scribes like Aristides to inscribe their names as votes or record their daily lives. From the humorous sketches of quails and monkeys, to the epic tales of Sinuhe and the fierce battles between men, these precious artifacts offer a glimpse into the vibrant culture and daily life of the New Kingdom (c. 1295-c. 1186 BC). Witness the artistry and historical significance of these ancient treasures, including an ostracon depicting a cheetah, bird, and monkey, and the infamous Aristides Ostracised, a testament to the power of the written word.