A few Remarks about Cosmetic Palettes from Tell el Farkha

Tell el-Farkha is a Predynastic site in the Eastern Delta. Among the artefacts unearthed during twenty years of excavations one of the most important groups is composed of the cosmetic palettes, discovered in the graves as well as in the settlement. During Naqada IIIB, palettes were still important elements of the equipment of graves, but in general only geometrical shapes with characteristic incised frame were used. Zoomorphic or shield-shaped palettes were very rare. At Tell el-Farkha cosmetics palettes are known also from the settlement layers. A few bird-shaped cosmetic palettes from the Western Kom are connected with the older stage of the administrative-cultic centre, which can be dated to the beginning of Naqada IIIB. The dimensions of palettes and their distribution in the area suggests that such palettes were connected in some way with the early cult.