5.2 Funerary Art: Tomb Paintings, Sarcophagi, and Burial Goods

Ancient Egyptian funerary art was all about preparing for the afterlife. Egyptians believed in preserving the body and spirit through mummification, ensuring the deceased's life force and personality continued. The Osiris myth guided souls through the underworld journey.

Tomb art and objects played crucial roles in the afterlife. Paintings depicted gods, daily life scenes, and used symbolic colors. Sarcophagi designs evolved over time, with decorations reflecting social status. Burial goods like shabti figures, canopic jars, and ritual objects provided for the deceased's needs.

Ancient Egyptian Funerary Art and Beliefs

Role of funerary art in afterlife beliefs

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• Preservation of body and spirit through mummification process preserved physical form, ka (life force) and ba (personality) ensured continuity
• Eternal life in afterlife centered on Osiris myth of resurrection guided souls through underworld journey (Duat)
• Provision for deceased included food offerings and daily life scenes depicted in tomb art sustained spirit
• Protection of tomb and contents employed magical spells (Book of the Dead) and guardian figures (Anubis statues) warded off evil

Iconography in tomb paintings

• Gods and goddesses featured prominently Anubis oversaw embalming, Osiris judged souls, Isis protected deceased
• Symbolic colors conveyed meaning green signified rebirth (papyrus), red represented life (desert), blue symbolized heavens (Nile)
• Hieroglyphs and texts included Book of the Dead passages and biographical information of deceased
• Scenes of daily life depicted agricultural activities (grain harvesting), hunting (fowling in marshes), and craftsmanship (pottery making)

Funerary Objects and Their Significance

Sarcophagi design and social status

• Evolution of sarcophagi designs progressed from Early Dynastic wooden coffins to Old Kingdom stone sarcophagi to New Kingdom anthropoid coffins
• Decorative elements incorporated false door motifs allowed ka to pass through, wedjat eyes provided protection, inscriptions ensured magical protection
• Royal versus non-royal sarcophagi differed in use of precious materials (gold inlays), complexity of decoration (intricate reliefs), and number of nested coffins
• Regional variations emerged Memphis style favored geometric patterns, Theban style incorporated colorful scenes

Purpose of burial goods

• Shabti figures acted as servant substitutes inscribed with magical spells (Chapter 6 of Book of the Dead) made from various materials (wood, faience, limestone)
• Canopic jars stored mummified organs protected by Four Sons of Horus (Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, Qebehsenuef) inscribed with deceased's name
• Furniture and personal items included chairs (folding stools), jewelry (broad collars), and weapons (ceremonial daggers) for use in afterlife
• Food and drink provisions stored in ceramic vessels (beer jars) and model food offerings (miniature loaves) sustained ka
• Ritual objects like ankh symbol (eternal life), djed pillar (stability), and scarab amulets (rebirth) provided magical protection and regeneration