The Berlin bust of Nefertiti as well as her other portraits
accentuate anatomic features of the queen’s neck. Her Sternocleidomastoid
muscles as well as back muscles of her neck are visibly stretched. The article
argues that the stretched muscles is not a physical characteristic of the
queen’s body, but a sign used in composing queen’s ideal portrait. The sign
has been derived from proskinesis and other body positions practiced by the
Amarna family during religious ceremonies and served as a symbol of Piety.