Mummy mask of Pachons
From Deir el-Bahari, Thebes,
Egypt
Roman Period, AD
220-250
Excavations in the later layers of debris over
the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari have revealed that part
of the area was used as a cemetery in the middle Roman period. A
small number of the mummies found were adorned with masks. On the
basis of the style of their hair and dress, they have been dated to
the third century AD. They presumably belonged to people of high
status, as the area of Deir el-Bahari was, and still is, a holy
one.
The owner of this
mask, Pachons, son of Psesarmese, is portrayed wearing a
long-sleeved cream-coloured tunic. Around his head is decoration in
yellow, in imitation of gold. In his hands he carries a pot and a
small garland of orange flowers. The panel at the bottom shows a
representation of Sokar, the god of the Memphite necropolis
(cemetery).
There are
remains of pieces of plaited linen which either attached the mask
to the mummy or attached a wooden label, which bore the name of the
deceased.
S. Walker and M. Bierbrier, Ancient faces: mummy portrai-1 (London, The British Museum Press, 1997)