baked clay and ink, Egypt, Dynasty

 When communicating with the god, whether this is in a temple itself or perhaps a private chapel, it is interesting to know what questions ancient individuals would find important to ask. This ostracon, written in hieratic (a hieroglyphic transcription is in the second image) shows the concerns that people had. In this text, the person is asking the gods "should I bring Tabaket/the female servant? Will she become?" The implication would it be a good idea to hire this person. We are not certain if the individual in question is named Tabaket or if they are simply an unnamed servant. While it might seem strange to us that individuals might be named for their occupation, some enslaved people are named "Tabaket" in ancient Egypt. 

E18875, baked clay and ink, Egypt, Dynasty 20? (1186-1069 BCE)