Ancient Egyptian Sarcophagus

Neues Museum

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Ancient Egyptian Sarcophagus

At the center of the scene is a recumbent figure of the deceased, painted in black and lying on a ceremonial bier. Above is a red solar disk emitting rays—a symbol of the sun god Ra and the power of rebirth. Surrounding the central image are rows of hieroglyphs, likely excerpts from funerary texts or protective spells, commonly drawn from the Book of the Dead or other funerary liturgies meant to ensure the safe passage and resurrection of the deceased in the afterlife.

Above this scene is part of a winged motif, probably representing the goddess Nut or the protective wings of Isis or Nephthys—symbols of divine protection frequently found in such contexts.

Mummification was the customary practice from the third Dynasty (2705 - 2640 BC) and was meant for full preservation of the body for the three spirits, Ka, Ba and Akh. The internal organs were placed in four vessels (canopic jars), each assigned to one of four deities for safekeeping. The sarcophagi in shape of a box, prevalent in the early dynasties, were later superseded by the human-shaped coffins until the box form became popular again in Greek and Roman times. In Roman times wooden boards bearing the features of the deceased (mummy portraits) were placed on the mummies to serve the purpose of identification.

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Detail of an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus.

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Source:  Berlin, Germany