Wooden coffin of Pasenhor

From the burial of the Libyan Pasenhor, Thebes, Egypt
Late Third Intermediate Period, 730-680 BC

Painted wooden anthropoid coffin

The coffin of Pasenhor is a fine example of the anthropoid (human-shaped) type used in the late Third Intermediate period (about 1070-661 BC). Although only a limited range of colours - blue, green, black, red and white - are used on this coffin, it is done with very good effect.

Pasenhor wears the striped headdress that is first seen at the beginning of the New Kingdom (around 1550 BC). Around his shoulders and most of his upper body is an elaborate collar, with leaf and petal shaped elements, and flowers. The Abydos fetish, symbol of Osiris, in the centre of the collar is very unusual in this context. Across the front of the coffin, is the scene of the judgement of the deceased, based on the vignette accompanying Spell 125 of the Book of the Dead. Most of the lower body of the coffin is covered with spells, extracts from Spell 125 from the Book of the Dead, in which Pasenhor declares himself inncocent of offences against Truth and Justice. The scene on the feet shows Pasenhor worshipping Osiris and Isis.

S. Quirke and A.J. Spencer, The British Museum book of anc (London, The British Museum Press, 1992)

M. Caygill, The British Museum A-Z compani (London, The British Museum Press, 1999)

C.A.R. Andrews, Egyptian mummies (London, The British Museum Press, 1984)