The Palermo Stone is a fragment of The Egyptian Royal Annals. It mentions Seshat in numerous ways.
It is housed in The Regional Archeological Museum Antonio Salinas in Palermo, Italy. This stone, and other existing fragments in different countries - four in Cairo and one in London- are considered an essential part of the Egyptian history of the Old Kingdom. It contains the names of the first royal families. It also recounts events related to toles that Seshat is known for, such as the "stretching of the cord" and celebrating the jubilee of the king. It also talks about designing temples and mentions the creation of a statue of an "Enduring Goddess." It is not often that one finds mention of a statue of Seshat but apparently, there was one around the time period in which the Palermo Stone was inscribed.
"Seshat was a divinity of some importance at the beginning of the historical era in Egypt, as it is clear from the record of a first dynasty ceremony involving one of her priests is inscribed on The Palermo Stone (a set of Annal for Egypt's earliest kings) as well as the creation of a statue of the goddess during the same reign," writes Kate Spence, a chapter that appears in The Archeology of Measurement: Comprehending Heaven, Earth, and Time in Ancient Societies. Spence points out that one of Seshat's important roles was associated with the foundation ceremony for buildings. "She is repeatedly depicted performing the stretching the cord ritual in the company of the king," she writes. "The first reference to this ritual is found on the Palermo Stone, where it is said to have been conducted by a priest of Seshat." Spence notes "the creation of a statue of the goddess during the same reign."
The stone has been translated by rows and in registers. Here are mentions of Seshat in The Palermo Stone (Palermo Museo Archeologico) compiled by Rutger's Univerity.
The 2nd Row: Part of the reign of a king, most possibly Djer (1st Dynasty)
- Register 8: "ProcessionalTour of Horus, Birth of Seshat
3rd Row: Part of the reign of a king, most possibly Den (1st Dynasty)
- Register 7 Stretching the Cord (in foundation ceremony) by the Seshat-priest for the great door of the temple "Thrones of the Gods."
- Register 13: Birth of Seshat and Mafdet (protective feline deity).
4th Row: Recording the events during the reign of King Nynetjer (2nd Dynasty)
- Register 1: Appearance of the King of Upper Egypt, Stretching the Cord for the temple Horus-Ren.
5th Row: Recording the events in the reign of King Khasekhemwy and King Djoser (3rd Dynasty)
- Register 10: Dual Appearance of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Stretching the Cord for the temple "Refreshment of the Gods."