Epigraphic notes on the aleph-sign (Gardiner G1) in the second half of the Eighteenth Dynasty

Abstract

The paper proposes to consider the hieroglyphic writing of the aleph-sign (Gardiner G1) in royal monumental architecture as a dating criterion. A certain epigraphic feature of the sign appears to be particularly characteristic of the second half of the Eighteenth Dynasty and the beginning of the Nineteenth Dynasty. The characteristics of the sign are discussed mainly in reference to the renewal texts, concluding with some remarks on the chronology of the restorations of reliefs in the Hatshepsut temple at Deir el-Bahari.