Page from the Book of the
Dead of Hunefer
From Thebes, Egypt
19th
Dynasty, around 1300 BC
Rites before the tomb
This is an excellent example of one of the many
fine vignettes (illustrations) from the Book
of the Dead of
Hunefer.
The centrepiece of
the upper scene is the mummy of Hunefer, shown supported by the god
Anubis
(or a priest wearing a jackal mask). Hunefer's wife and
daughter mourn, and three priests perform rituals. The two priests
with white sashes are carrying out the Opening of the Mouth ritual.
The white building at the right is a representation of the tomb,
complete with portal doorway and small pyramid. Both these features
can be seen in real tombs of this date from Thebes. To the left of
the tomb is a picture of the stela which would have stood to one
side of the tomb entrance. Following the normal conventions of
Egyptian art, it is shown much larger than normal size, in order
that its content (the deceased worshipping
Osiris,
together with a standard offering formula) is absolutely
legible.
At the right of
the lower scene is a table bearing the various implements needed
for the Opening of the Mouth ritual. At the left is shown a ritual,
where the foreleg of a calf, cut off while the animal is alive, is
offered. The animal was then sacrificed. The calf is shown together
with its mother, who might be interpreted as showing signs of
distress.
R.O. Faulkner, The Ancient Egyptian Book of t, (revised ed. C. A. R. Andrews) (London, The British Museum Press, 1985)
R.B. Parkinson and S. Quirke, Papyrus, (Egyptian Bookshelf) (London, The British Museum Press, 1995)
S. Quirke and A.J. Spencer, The British Museum book of anc (London, The British Museum Press, 1992)