Limestone Stele with the Head of Hathor in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, August 2007

Limestone stele (shaft) with the head of Hathor
Cypriot, Archaic, 2nd quarter of the 6th century BC
Said to be from the necropolis at Golgoi

Accession # 74.51.2475

The lower part of the shaft has been cut off; two dowel holes on the upper surface permitted an additional element to be fastened. Stone shafts incorporating the head of the Egyptian goddess Hathor occur particularly often at Amathus. Their appearance may be connected with the advent of Egyptian rule over the island. They played a role in the cult of the Great Goddess of Cyprus, who like Hathor, afforded protection against death and harm. The shafts also occur in funerary contexts.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.