Analysis: The Door Socket

The Door Socket, of Hierakonpolis Egypt (Dynasty 1, ca. 3100-2900 BCE), is the base of a hinge on a temple door. The Door Socket itself was carved to look like a bound captive. This captive's back is the support for the heavy wooden door hinge. The archaic temple would have been a major part of the city center where many important figures high up in the community would have spent much time. The ancient Egyptians always wanted to represent their power and their strength over enemies; even through their architecture.
The statue was carved from sandstone, which was a popular material for construction at the time. Sandstone is not as durable as other stones. This perhaps emphasizes how much the Egyptians disliked non-Egyptians. The rather distressed