Slab From the Tomb of Nefermaat

This color inlay comes from the tomb of Nerfermaat, dating to the Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4. The inscription going down the left side of the top panel reads: "He (Nefermaat) is the one who made his gods (i.e. hieroglyphs) in writing that cannot be erased." These words link writing with the sacred, showing how Egyptians believed writing could have a power beyond recording language. Additionally, this inlay shows how hieroglyphs were usually oriented to match accompanying drawings of people.