King Tutankhamun’s Coffin Texts Primary documents are essential for historians because they offer firsthand insights into historical events. These documents can range from artifacts and letters to legal decrees, created during the period being studied. This essay focuses on a primary document connected to one of ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaohs, King Tutankhamun. The document under examination is the coffin text found in Tutankhamun's tomb, which provides significant information about the beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians. The coffin texts are a collection of spells inscribed on the insides of coffins. These spells were designed to protect the dead in the afterlife and assist them in navigating the underworld. They describe …show more content…
These individuals were experts in religious writings and deeply knowledgeable about the customs and beliefs of their time. Scribes and priests were often employed by wealthy individuals and royalty, including pharaohs like Tutankhamun, to create these texts for their coffins. The coffin texts date back to the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, around 1332–1323 BCE, during the New Kingdom period when Egypt was at the height of its power and wealth. They were discovered in Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor, Egypt. During the creation of the coffin texts, Egypt was undergoing significant changes. Tutankhamun ascended to the throne at an early age, following his father Akhenaten’s reign. Akhenaten had introduced major religious reforms, focusing worship on a single god, Aten. Tutankhamun’s reign marked a return to traditional religious practices and the worship of multiple gods. He worked to restore temples and revive the old ways of the Egyptian …show more content…
These texts have helped scholars reconstruct the complex religious landscape of ancient Egypt and the crucial role of funerary practices in their society. Moreover, the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb had a significant impact on Egyptology and public interest in ancient Egypt. The treasures and the story of their discovery captivated the world, leading to a renewed fascination with Egypt’s history and culture. Artifacts from the tomb have been displayed globally, attracting millions of visitors and sparking widespread interest in Egypt’s ancient past. The coffin texts from King Tutankhamun’s tomb are a valuable primary document that provides a vivid picture of the religious beliefs and practices of ancient Egypt. These texts help us understand the cultural and political environment of Tutankhamun’s time. The discovery of his tomb has significantly enhanced our knowledge of ancient Egypt and continues to fascinate people worldwide. The coffin texts highlight the importance of the afterlife in ancient Egyptian beliefs and reflect the broader cultural and religious changes during Tutankhamun’s reign. Studying the coffin text and other artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb continues to deepen our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization. These primary documents are essential for reconstructing the past and appreciating the rich cultural heritage of ancient Egypt. Works Cited: Reeves, Nicholas, and Richard H. Wilkinson. The Complete Valley of the Kings: Tombs
The Mummy Case of Paankhenamun has great significant in that it provides us with very fundamental evidence from ancient history. It does not only exhibit a complex form of art, but it also demonstrates the religious practices of ancient Egyptians in association with their beliefs in life after death, as well as their great fascination with immortality. It not only teaches us about the great science of mummification, but it also provides us all with the incredible opportunity to learn about the life of an ancient person.
This periodical discusses the physical appearance of The Pyramids Of Giza as built by each pharaoh, and also the function of the pyramid as a mortuary temple (Salima Ikram, Janice Kamrin 2012). It also discusses the Pyramids of Giza as great structures of the ancient world (Salima Ikram, Janice Kamrin 2012). This periodical was very important to my understanding as it showcased why Pyramids were so important to the burial process, showing the connection between burial and architecture. The authors of this periodical remain non bias throughout, providing factual information about the Pyramids Of
Term Paper: Coffin of Tentkhonsu The Egyptians during this period took ample time and detail on the mummification process to ensure a successful transition from the netherworld to rebirth. The Coffin of Tentkhonsu, 1025-980 B.C., it’s a depiction of how the Egyptians valued and honored their elite members of society, as well as their gods. The Coffin of Tentkhonsu, itself dates back to the III intermediate period in Egyptian culture. The Egyptian believe was to join Osiris, whom was believed to have ascended to Netherworld and accomplished eternal life.
Brier, Bob, and A. Hoyt. Hobbs. "Chapter II: Religion." Daily Life of the Ancient Egyptians. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1999. 36-37. EBSCO. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. .
Take for instance the Egyptians, whose well known elaborate burial chambers, coffins and practices form the basis of the first story I want to relate to you. These coffins, or sarcophagi, were often very elaborately inscribed with paintings and carvings, spells against the perils the deceased would face in Duat, the underworld (Hart 18). These spells would help protect them and guide them to the throne room of the underworld, where their soul would be judged (Hart 18). The decedents’ epic travels involved placating gods, overcoming demons, traversing lakes of fire, escaping executioners and surviving poisonous snakes on their journey to reach Duat (Hart 18). Only with the proper spells and maps, placed on and in the sarcophagi, could one hope to arrive in the throne room unharmed (Hart 1...
The history and tradition of Egypt is one of the most greatly studied and admired of all past world civilizations. The lure of the pyramids and the specter of the sphinx have led many archeologists to dedicate his/her life to unraveling the mysteries of ancient Egyptian culture. Arguably, the most captivating aspect of Egypt’s past is that of mummification. Why did the Egyptians mummify their dead? What beliefs did the Egyptians have regarding the after life? What portion of the Egyptian civilization was mummified? What was the Book of the Dead? This is a mere sampling of the questions that come to my mind when I think of ancient Egyptian culture. I hope to lay forth answers to these questions and many more in the following pages dedicated to the history and purpose behind Egyptian mummification.
King Tutankhamun’s innermost coffin and death mask (Figures 1,2) were completely covered in beaten gold with “semiprecious stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, and carnelian” (Kiner, 3-5d). These items showed the how much attention to detail the Egyptians took in preparing their King for his afterlife. The death mask of King Tutankhamun is probably the most recognized item in present day, but beside it being completely aesthetically pleasing it show him with idealized features wearing the traditional false beard and uraeus cobra headdress (Figure 2). For the Egyptians the death mask provided the dead with a face in the afterlife, but also allowed the spirit to recognize his or her body. King Tutankhamun was buried within three different coffin but the innermost portrays him as Osiris, the god of afterlife, “The face was again that of the king, but the features, though conventional, by symbolizing Osiris, were even more youthful than those on the other coffins” (Work at the Tomb of Tutankhamun, 9). While the outermost sarcophagus’ lid and basin were created out of two different types of stone “the lid of the sarcophagus in Tutankhamun’s tomb is also granite, but the basin is made of dark red quartzite” (Eaton-Krauss, 88). The lid of the outermost sarcophagus depicts the god of midday sun Behdety’s icon, and Anubis and Thoth officiating the
It is clear that tombs and burial rituals were a key element in the Egyptian society and their way of life as it ties into almost all things they did on a daily basis. Whatever a person’s status was when they were alive followed them into the afterlife. Food and luxury goods were buried with a person so that they could have it in the afterlife. The tombs became a person’s new house after they died. Therefore, making it as nice as possible was really important. Art work and clay models were added to a person’s tomb as material goods needed for the afterlife. They were also seen as decorations that kept the tombs looking nice. Throughout the years, Egyptian artworks on the inner parts of the tombs and on the coffins show a development in the Egyptian customs. Each new development was created to better preserve the bodies and comfort of the dead.
There were many ways that the Ancient Egyptian society and the Mesopotamian society were similar yet at the same time they were very different. Egyptians and Sumerians agreed on religion in a sense that both cultures were polytheistic. However, the relationships between the gods and goddesses were different between the Sumerians and Egyptians. This essay will discuss those differences in culture, religion and the viewpoints on death and afterlife.
A common question many civilizations shared and strived to answer was about death and the afterlife. In Ancient Egypt, the lives of many citizens centered around a prosperous future in death. In fact, Ancient Egyptians believed life continued on in death. For this reason, they yearned to live justly as citizens of Egypt. If not, then the gods would deem them unworthy of entering heaven, or paradise. This was Ancient Egypt, a society seemingly obsessed with the afterlife and enriched with funeral practices. Their worship of pharaohs and gods, detailed inscriptions about mummification, and elaborate tombs influenced their constant strive towards achieving everlasting peace in the afterlife.
The grandeur with which Egyptians regarded their funerary customs does not come without explanation. They delighted in tying the occurrences of the natural world with supernatural dogma, and their burial practices exemplified this deluge of religion. A special deity was even attributed to cemeteries and embalmers: Anubis (Fiero, 46). Due to this deep sense of religion, a fixation with the afterlife developed within their culture. The Egyptian afterlife, however, is not synonymous of heave, but, rather, of The Field of Reeds, a continuation of one’s life in Egypt meant “to secure and perpetuate in the afterlife the ‘good life’ enjoyed on earth” (Mark 1; “Life in Ancient Egypt” 1). The pursuit of this sacred rest-place prompted the arousal of intricate Egyptian funeral rituals.
Egyptians first attempt of artificial mummification was during the Archaic Period (3050-2663 BC). Early mummification techniques began in the Old Kingdom (2663- 2195). By the Middle Kingdom embalmers started placing masks over corpses, the most famous was the mask of King Tutankhamun. Not only did King Tutankhamun have the most famous mask, but also he had the most famous tomb. His coffin was found in 1923 in Thebes, Egypt. Inside the tomb laid many statues, weapons and jewelry. At first people had this belief that only Pharaohs could attain immortality, but later on, anyone was able to. Egyptians saw Pharaohs as gods, so when they passed away, they assumed the Pharaoh would become a God in his or her afterlife. Eventually, during the period of the New Kingdom (2628-1638 BC), Pharaohs were buried in tombs in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes, Egypt. In the Old and Middle Kingdoms Pharaohs were buried in pyramids. As of now, there are about fifty royal pyramids that have survived from thieves. In these royal pyramids, the tomb walls were completely filled with paintings that illustrated scenes of the deceased personal life. Pyramids of ancient Egypt are the most famous tombs up to this day. The most famous are three pyramids built for the Pharaohs; Khufu, Khafre, and Mehkuare. The best one is the Great Pyramid of Giza built for Khufu which is also one of the seven
The most common ancient Egyptian burial practice is the mummification process as depicted in source B. Mummification is a ritual that embalmers performed when a pharaoh died. Source B is a photograph of the canoptic jars which are a main component of the mummification process. The first step in the mummification process is the removal and preservation of most of the internal organs, such as the lungs, the stomach, the liver and intestines. These organs are then separately embalmed and placed into canoptic jars as source B reveals. These jars were often decorated with one of the four animal-headed sons of the god Horus. Each head is believed to be the protector of each organ within the jar and is dedicated to a specific deity. The preservation of the organs is significant as they allowed the dead person to breathe and eat in the afterlife. The internal organs were then wrapped and put into either the body or put in boxes instead of sitting in jars. Canoptic jars were still placed in the tomb but they were solid or empty and provided a symbolic purpose. In Tutankhamun’s tomb the canoptic jars were discovered in a shrine that was found in the treasury room of the tomb. Source B is useful is when understanding the mummification process.
Since the very beginning of X-men in 1963 by Stan lee and Jack Kirby , we were introduced to numerous iconic characters and some great story-lines of all time. This particular storyline known as “ The Dark Phoenix Saga”, written by Chris Claremont with artist John Byrne was first published in the pages of Uncanny X-Men comic between 1976-1980 in issue no #101-108 and #129-138. Interestingly this storyline is the first major hit comic book that features a female character with a lead and prominent role. This storyline was a proof that female characters in comics could be multi-layered and powerfull as any other male character.
Thus, the art and architecture of Ancient Egypt stemmed directly from their religion. Egyptian theology, with its deified pharaohs and strange animal-headed gods, was complicated, but the most important belief was that survival after death depended upon the preservation of the body. This belief would influence the architectural design of the tomb, where the corpse was ultimately sealed (Silverman:142, 1997). Immortality was only for privileged royal and priestly beings (Stierlin:54, 1983).This implies that their tombs would be somewhat prestigious and not just and ordinary burial site. At the day of resurrection the Ka or soul would re-enter the dead body; this meant that it must be there, intact, ready for that moment. It followed logically, that 'once the corpse was embalmed or mummified, it must be preserved in an impregnable tomb.