The Cultural, Religious and Social Significance of Clappers in Ancient Egypt: Insights on Three pairs of Byzantine Clappers at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo (JE 100547)

From the era of ancient Egypt to the present day, music has consistently functioned as a fundamental component of cultural expression and daily life. It served as a means for individuals to engage with their societal and spiritual identities. Among the diverse array of musical instruments employed in ancient Egypt, clappers represent a notable category, contributing to the performative and ritualistic aspects of their musical practices. This paper investigates the significance of clappers as one of the earliest percussion instruments in ancient Egypt through a comprehensive methodological framework. It employs a combination of archaeological analysis and iconographic review to explore the designs, materials, and multifunctional roles of clappers within various cultural, religious, and social contexts. Particular attention is given to the ornamentation of these objects, ranging from intricate depictions of deities such as Hathor to more simplistic, unadorned forms. This paper further incorporates iconographic and textual evidence to assess the role of clappers in religious ceremonies, festivals, and daily life. Additionally, it addresses the continued use of clappers within Byzantine ecclesiastical contexts during religious rituals. The analysis also includes a detailed examination of three pairs of hand-shaped ivory clappers recently repatriated from the Louvre in 2017, part of a larger collection of 586 pieces acquired under the auspices of former Minister of Antiquities Khaled El Anany. These artifacts, modeled in the shape of hands and forearms, are analyzed through comparative typological and material analyses to understand their design and usage.