Image Gallery
Sarcophagus of Hapmen
Sarcophagus of Hapmen, found in Cairo, Ibn Tulun Mosque (reused as a ritual bath); original location is unknown. 26th Dynasty, c. 624-525 BCE.
All surfaces bear figures of gods and funerary texts. Near the head end, one side displays a false door with eyes, allowing the spirit free movement and sight. A spell from the Book of the Dead was thought to help it "come forth by day". The central figure on the long sides (one jackal-headed and one human-headed) is Anubis, the god of mummification. The Sons of Horus at the corners had to guard Hapmen's organs. The goddess Isis mourns at the foot end, as does her sister Nephthys on the head end (not visible). Many more deities appear inside. The floor displays the sky goddess Nut, who embraced Hapmen's mummy, so he could join the everlasting sun and stars. Remarkably, the figures and texts were copied from the sarcophagus of Thutmose III, a king of enduring fame who died a thousand years earlier. Hapmen, a treasurer, lived at a time of proud historical awareness. Thutmose's tomb in Thebes has already lain open for centuries, ever since priests had reburied him and other royals in a cache.
The British Museum, London.
Questions & Answers
How long was ancient Egypt art produced?
- Ancient Egyptian art was created from the Predynastic Period (c. 6000 to c. 3150 BCE) through the Ptolemaic Period (323-30 BCE) and even into the era of Roman Egypt (30 BCE-646 CE).
What was the purpose of ancient Egyptian art?
- Ancient Egyptian art was primarily functional - it served a practical purpose - but it was still crafted to be aesthetically pleasing.
What types of art did the ancient Egyptians produce?
- The ancient Egyptians produced all kinds of art from statuary to jewelry to ceramics, paintings, drawings, figurines, everyday household items, clothing, dog collars, and ornamentation for tombs, temples, and monuments.
What is the most famous artwork from ancient Egypt?
- The most famous artwork from ancient Egypt is the Great Sphinx of Giza followed by the bust of Queen Nefertiti and the golden death mask of Tutankhamun.
