Late Period Mummy Coffin

Mummy Coffin
Late Period, 26th-30th Dynasty, ca 663 BCE to 343 BCE
Martin and Maria Paul Collection, Balboa Park's Museum of Man

"Standing just under six feet in height, this anthropoid coffin is made of imported cedar planks joined together by wooden dowels and a mixture of sawdust, glue, and Nile mud. The deceased is shown with a red-ochre painted face, indicating that he is male. He wears a blue and yellow striped wig. At the top of the head is a painted Scarab beetle, a symbol of resurrection. The ears have been delicately outlined in black paint, and appear to be pierced--a very rare occurrence. A large collar depicting various types of beads, amulets and flower petals is painted over the chest. The terminals of the collar have falcon heads, representing the god Horus. The remaining portion of the body has been painted with thick coats of white paint over its original coarse linen and gesso (glue and gypsum plaster) surface. A column of hieroglyphs extends down the body over the footbox.

"Above the column is the jackal, Anubis, holding a flail of power and a Maat feather of truth. The Four Sons of Horus are standing on either side of him, all holding scepters that are reserved for deities. [Was scepters, meaning Power] Below the Four Sons of Horus are two figures holding Maat feathers, symbolizing the rebirth into the Afterlife.


A sketchy version of the standard "An offering which the king gives..."