tell el amarna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic/Historical
Quick answer
What does “tell el amarna” mean?
An archaeological site in Egypt that was the capital city built by Pharaoh Akhenaten during the 18th Dynasty.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archaeological site in Egypt that was the capital city built by Pharaoh Akhenaten during the 18th Dynasty.
Refers to the historical period, artistic style, and collection of cuneiform tablets (Amarna Letters) associated with Akhenaten's reign and his religious revolution promoting worship of the Aten.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; both use the same term.
Connotations
Same academic/historical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, confined to Egyptology, archaeology, and ancient history contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tell el amarna” in a Sentence
[Tell el-Amarna] + [is/was] + [location/period][archaeological/historical] + [site/period] + [of Tell el-Amarna]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tell el amarna” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The Tell el-Amarna tablets provide unique diplomatic correspondence.
- She specialises in Tell el-Amarna period art.
American English
- The Tell el-Amarna letters are key historical documents.
- This statue shows distinct Tell el-Amarna style features.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in archaeology, Egyptology, and ancient history papers and lectures.
Everyday
Rarely used outside educational or documentary contexts.
Technical
Used precisely to refer to the specific archaeological site and its associated artifacts and historical period.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tell el amarna”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tell el amarna”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tell el amarna”
- Misspelling as 'Tel el Amarna' or 'Tell al-Amarna'.
- Using it as a common noun without capitalisation.
- Confusing it with other Egyptian sites like Thebes or Memphis.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'Amarna' is the common shortened form. 'Tell el-Amarna' is the full name of the archaeological site.
It was the purpose-built capital of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who introduced a brief period of monotheistic worship of the sun disc Aten, resulting in unique art and architecture.
They are a collection of cuneiform tablets discovered at Tell el-Amarna, comprising diplomatic correspondence between the Egyptian administration and other Near Eastern powers.
Yes, it is an archaeological site in Egypt that can be visited, though much of the ancient city remains unexcavated or in ruins.
An archaeological site in Egypt that was the capital city built by Pharaoh Akhenaten during the 18th Dynasty.
Tell el amarna is usually academic/historical in register.
Tell el amarna: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtel el əˈmɑːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɛl ɛl əˈmɑrnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TELL EL-AMARNA: Think 'Tell' (archaeological mound) + 'El' (the) + 'Amarna' (modern name) = the mound of the place called Amarna.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TIME CAPSULE (representing a frozen moment of a unique religious and artistic revolution in ancient Egypt).
Practice
Quiz
What is Tell el-Amarna best known as?