Grave goods (ancient Egypt)
Belief in the afterlife is one of the most important features of ancient Egyptian culture. Over the millennia, burial customs and the objects that were placed in the grave have changed significantly.
Object groups
Basically, three groups of objects can be distinguished that were placed in the grave:
- Objects that have already been used in everyday life (e.g. jewelry)
- Objects specially made for a burial (e.g. the coffin).
- Objects used in religious rituals during funeral ceremonies and then buried with the dead.
Development over the dynasties
Depending on the period and social status of the deceased, one or the other objects were preferably placed in the grave.
Pre- and early dynastic times
In the pre-dynastic and early dynastic times , the dead were mostly buried in pits in a crouched position. Grave goods are some vessels that should certainly ensure nourishment for all eternity. There are also make-up pallets, jewelry for women and weapons for men. Life in the hereafter was obviously seen as a continuation of life on earth and everything that was considered important was placed in the grave. In the burial chambers of high officials there were therefore furniture, games and many hundreds of storage vessels that were supposed to facilitate eternal life. Only a few objects appear to have been specially made for the grave.
4th dynasty
Since the 4th dynasty there has been a change in burial customs. The king ( Pharaoh ) and high officials put all their energy into building the tomb superstructure ( pyramid , mastaba ), while the underground parts of the tombs remained relatively simple. The grave goods usually only contain a simple sarcophagus , a few pots, some jewelry and a few model tools. During this time, increased efforts to mummify the body of the dead ( mummy ) can be determined. The things that were previously placed in the grave have now been depicted on the walls of the mastabas. Little can be said about the beliefs of this time. In short texts in the tombs, various deities, especially Anubis , are mentioned. The gods are asked to grant the dead a "beautiful burial" and to guarantee them eternal food provision.
End of the Old Kingdom
At the end of the Old Kingdom , more attention was paid to the underground parts of the tombs. The grave chambers of the pyramids are now provided with texts, coffins are now more often labeled and some burial chambers of officials are provided with texts and pictures of grave goods. More objects are now also placed in the grave. In the case of high officials, these are often instruments that have to do with the cult of the dead , while poorer people are often provided with status symbols or signs of their identity (e.g. jewelry in the case of women). As in the whole of Egyptian history, there are never any objects related to the profession of the dead.
1. The Intermediate Period and the Early Middle Kingdom
In the First Intermediate Period , standard burial equipment was developed. The dead lies in a coffin with a mummy mask over his head. Next to the coffin there are wooden models of servant figures ( ushabti ) depicting the production of food and utensils. Coffins of wealthy people often have long religious texts inside and outside. During this period there is increasing evidence that at least some of the dead were identified as Osiris . The dead is referred to as such in the coffin texts and devices are painted on the inside of the coffin that equate him with this god of the dead.
12th dynasty
At the end of the 12th dynasty , a change in burial customs can again be noted. The servant figures disappear from the burial chambers and the dead person was instead equipped with magical objects, which apparently already offered protection in everyday life. A typical, but not frequent addition are the so-called magic knives , which protect mother and child in life and probably also had this task in the realm of the dead. Other typical additions are small faience figures of animals, the function of which is disputed in detail. There were now only a few grave goods that were made directly for the grave ( coffin , ushabti ).
Second split
In the Second Intermediate Period, the country became so impoverished that even high officials could no longer afford to make objects that were only intended for the grave. The grave chambers were now filled with many everyday objects, only the coffin remained as an object specially made for the grave.
18th dynasty
In the 18th dynasty , the tradition of placing everyday objects in the burial chamber continued. There was also the coffin, ushabtis, canopic jugs and the so-called book of the dead . The burial chambers of this time were particularly richly furnished because of the many household objects, such as the tomb of Tutankhamun ( KV62 ). In the royal tombs there are also numerous additions that seem to have been specially made for the burial of a pharaoh. Above all, this includes a series of statues of gods that were placed in shrines.
Ramesside time
In the 19th dynasty , all everyday objects disappear from the burial chambers. The deceased was now almost exclusively equipped with objects that were specially made for the grave. Among these are amulets, which are now becoming more and more important. The number of shabtis placed in the grave is also increasing. This reduction is particularly noticeable in the burials of poor sections of the population, as these are now almost without gifts. The dead now seem to be fully identified with Osiris . It is now important to preserve the mummy, as most grave goods are aimed at this. The supply of the dead with food takes a back seat, it was guaranteed in the realm of the dead and did not need to be determined by food sacrifices. The shabtis, who are now becoming more and more important, are to be seen as helpers in the underworld.
Third intermediate time
The reduction to magical objects in the burial chamber can also be determined for the Third Intermediate Period . A rich burial now consisted almost entirely of amulets, one or more coffins, ushabti and a book of the dead. In the 22nd Dynasty, however, even these objects disappeared. The dead person was only mummified and placed in a coffin. Cardboard boxes also appear during this time . Other grave goods are almost completely missing.
Late period
In the later period , more objects are placed in the grave again. There are now many ushabti (up to 400), there are canopic jars and there can be books of the dead. The dead are now often richly adorned with amulets. High officials are buried in richly decorated sarcophagi , otherwise a set of brightly painted wooden coffins is typical.
In the 30th dynasty, so-called "head disks" appeared, round papyrus or metal disks that were labeled with religious texts and placed under the head of the mummy.
literature
- Wolfram Grajetzki: Burial Customs in Ancient Egypt: Life in Death for Rich and Poor. Duckworth, London 2003, ISBN 0-7156-3217-5 .
- John Taylor: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt. British Museum, London 1999, ISBN 0-71411-9172 .