Cornice Block

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This block once formed part of a screen wall that connected four front columns to temple sidewalls on Philae's island, specifically at Harendotes ('Horus the Avenger'). A relief scene depicts 'Baptism of Pharaoh,' an essential purification ritual within Egyptian coronation ceremonies. The gods Horus and Thoth, both ibis-headed, poured water over the king's head; their actions are symbolized by streams of life-giving ankh hieroglyphs and dominion was hieroglyphs. The pharaoh's partially preserved head is believed to be a Claudian emperor, most likely either Claudius or Nero.