Ancient Egypt and Archaeology Web Site |
Painted wooden coffin of Menkebu from Farshut dating to the 11th Dynasty (First Intermediate period). The coffin is an imitation of expensive cedar wood and is covered with stucco and painted red. The 'east' side has a pair of eyes - which was used for the body to view the funerary offerings and the land of the living. The row of hieroglyphs are an offering for Menkebu and has the classic 'an offering which the King gives to Osiris..." text. In later periods the coffin became significantly more decorated and this is one way of dating period coffins. Boston Museum of Fine Art. |