The symbolism of the throw sticks

الملخص EN

The throwing stick is one of the first weapons used by early humans and cultures all around the world.

The research deals with the significance of the throw stick in the Ancient Egyptian Language as it was mentioned in the Egyptian texts as .

D^^amaAt.

Then, the study sheds light on the origin of the throw slick as its first appearance was in the geographical term — u lA tHnw on the Pre-Dynastic Libyan Tribute Palette; the term is usually interpreted as Libya then it was used on a much larger scale in the names of different nations and countries of the ancient world.

It also focuses on the throw stick as weapon used in Battles and for sport by the Ancicnt Egyptians.

The researcher also deals with the throw stick in the fowling scenes as hurling birds, with the throw stick in the papyrus thicket, was an ancient mode of hunting.

Originally, this kind of bird-hunting was a royal privilege which was later extended to persons not of royal lineage.

As for examples, the fowling scene in the tomb of ppy Anx Hny km (tomb no.

A2) at Mcir (Old Kingdm), the fowling scene in the tomb of Xnmw Htpw HI at Beni Hassan (tomb no.

3) (Middle kingdom) and the fowling scene in the tomb of nb Imn (New kingdom).

Then the study focuses on the symbolism of the fowling scenes as well as the symbolism of the throw stick in such scencs.

It also deals with the manufacturing of the throw sticks.

Also, the researcher differentiates between three groups of throw sticks: first group consists of actual wooden throw sticks resembling the modem boomerang, sconcd group contains throw sticks in the shape of serpents and a last one consisting of throw sticks of particular shapes that arc made exclusively of faience such as the faience throw stick found in the tomb of King Thutmose IV, the throw stick of King Akl>enaten in the British Museum and the ceremonial throw stick in the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Finally, the study concludes that the act of hurling birds in the Delta marshes using the throw sticks was considered the appropriate compensation for the nobles who represented it in their tombs instead of the common motif of smiting the foreign captives that was confined to royalty and this can explain the appearance of the throw stick in nearly all the names of the foreign countries as it became not only connected with Libya but all the foreign countries.