Paser_Crossword_Stela
Paser Crossword Stela
Ancient Egyptian stela
The Paser Crossword Stela is an ancient Egyptian limestone stela that dates from the 20th Dynasty. It was constructed by Paser, c. 1150 BC, during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses VI.[1]
The stela's text is a hymn to the goddess Mut. It is constructed to be read horizontally, vertically, and around its perimeter, therefore three times. The text employs a complex arrangement of single hieroglyphs and single hieroglyphic blocks, as well as special uses of hieroglyphs, word play, and double entendres, techniques which were popular in ancient Egyptian writings. The crossword-style grid was originally painted blue;[2] the hieroglyphs are incised, in sunken relief.
The stele originally formed a 67-by-80-line vertical rectangle,[3] now much damaged, especially on its base and right side. A roughly 50-by-50-line square area survives in good enough condition to be read easily; other sections have large lacunae, but some other topics can be partially constructed to complete the themes of a hymn to Mut.
The grid is read starting at the upper right, right-to-left in the missing corner of the stela; separator register lines are used for the grid.
