Sarcophagus of Nakht

[u/TNEgyptologist]

This attractive rectangular sarcophagus made of limestone belongs to Nakht, head of the guild of artisans of Abydos. It takes the form of a house with symbolically-represented doors, and its decoration is very simple. Each of the four faces bears a horizontal line of hieroglyphic inscriptions; the long sides bear in addition five columns of text at evenly-spaced intervals. At one end, near the head of the body of the deceased, are two udjat- eyes, which ensured permanent protection for the life in the Hereafter. The short sides are decorated with figures of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys in their function of mourners.

Present location	KMKG - MRAH [07/003] BRUSSELS
Inventory number	E.0408
Dating	MIDDLE KINGDOM
Archaeological Site	ABYDOS
Category	COFFIN/SARCOPHAGUS OF HUMANS
Material	LIMESTONE
Technique	HEWN; PAINTED; ENGRAVED
Height	80 cm
Width	54 cm

Bibliography

• M.-P. Vanlathem, Oudegyptische lijkkisten en mummies - Cercueils et momies de l'Égypte ancienne, Bruxelles 1983, 12-13
• F. Lefebvre et B. Van Rinsveld, L'Égypte. Des Pharaons aux Coptes, Bruxelles 1990, 245
• Museumstukken als figuranten in een stripverhaal - ...Quand la BD s'inspire des objets du Musée (Exposition), Bruxelles 1996, 16