Rare two person coffin
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 5:39 pm
A unique double coffin for two half brothers, Petamun and Penhorpabik.
This coffin is unique from ancient Egypt as it was held two occupants, both children. On the lid, two identical figures have been carved out in a funerary pose, holding the crook and flail (rod) of the god Osiris. Inside, the coffin base are two figures painted, depicted as the sky-goddess Nut.
The mummies of the boys were prepared with the utmost care and elaborately wrapped, indicating high status in their society. It is not known why the boys died so young but we know from papyrus left with the mummies, that they had the same father but different mothers. The boys' death highlight a sad aspect of the ancient world where young children were very likely to die. Tragedies such as disease devastating a whole family were all too frequent.
For more on this artifact and others held by the National Museum of Scotland follow the link: http://www.nms.ac.uk/highlights/egyptia ... pabik.aspx
This coffin is unique from ancient Egypt as it was held two occupants, both children. On the lid, two identical figures have been carved out in a funerary pose, holding the crook and flail (rod) of the god Osiris. Inside, the coffin base are two figures painted, depicted as the sky-goddess Nut.
The mummies of the boys were prepared with the utmost care and elaborately wrapped, indicating high status in their society. It is not known why the boys died so young but we know from papyrus left with the mummies, that they had the same father but different mothers. The boys' death highlight a sad aspect of the ancient world where young children were very likely to die. Tragedies such as disease devastating a whole family were all too frequent.
For more on this artifact and others held by the National Museum of Scotland follow the link: http://www.nms.ac.uk/highlights/egyptia ... pabik.aspx
