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Date : approx. between 246 and 222 B.C.
Sizes : 60 cm x 195 cm
Acquisition : Salt Collection
| Item 8 on 24
Ancient Egypt
Sculpture
Area related
Asasif Necropolis
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| Description |  |
The interior of the lid is decorated with many figures, mostly relating to astronomy. Their position on the lid of the coffin is particularly appropriate, as the lid was symbolically identified with the heavens stretched above the deceased. The central, full-face figure is that of the sky-goddess Nut, on whose body is written the text of chapter 89 of the Book of the Dead. To her left is a list of planets and decans (stars that rose every ten days, by which the passage of time could be reckoned during the night). To the right of the goddess are the constellations of the northern hemisphere.
Below the collar is an image of the sun-god as a winged scarab beetle, flanked by baboons who worship the rising sun disc. A funerary text is inscribed in hieroglyphs below. Either side of the text are figures of deities: the four Sons of Horus and the goddesses Isis and Nephthys.
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