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Primary sourceSculpturec. 1353-1336 BCE

Talatat Showing a Queen Shaking a Sistrum

c. 1353-1336 BCE

A carved sandstone block likely showing Nefertiti shaking a sistrum in a ritual behind Akhenaten, pointing to her priestly role in Aten worship.

Probably shows Nefertiti performing a ritual with a sistrum, pointing to her active religious role.

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Photograph of a carved sandstone block (talatat) in raised relief against a grey background. A female figure in profile on the right holds up a sistrum toward the left, with her hand raised; the carving is weathered and the stone edges are irregular.
Sandstone talatat showing a queen, probably Nefertiti, with a sistrum, c. 1353-1336 BCE. Museo Egizio, Turin.

About this source

What it is

This is a sandstone talatat block from the Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt, dated around 1353-1336 BCE. It shows a queen, probably Nefertiti, raising a sistrum (a rattling musical instrument used in rituals) behind the back of a figure identified as King Akhenaten. It is held by the Museo Egizio in Turin, Italy.

Why it matters

The sistrum was linked to religious ceremony in ancient Egypt, and this scene suggests Nefertiti took an active ritual role in worship of the Aten, the sun disk promoted by Akhenaten. This supports the idea that Nefertiti was not just a royal wife but a participant in the new religion's rites.

Look closer

  • What does the raised hand and sistrum suggest the queen is doing?
  • Why might the king be shown only from the back in this scene?
  • What does the damage to the stone tell you about how it has survived over time?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Queen Nefereti on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Akhenaten and His Family

c. 1352 BC

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Relief Fragment Showing the Blue Crown of Nefertiti

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Primary source

Great Hymn to the Aten

Akhenaten · c. 1350 BC

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