How Would Pharaoh's Tomb Be Decorated

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Ancient Egyptians cached their dead in a decorative coffin, known as a sarcophagus. Some buried their loved ones in multiple sarcophagi that were nested one inside the other with the smallest, innermost coffin housing the mummified body. The Egyptians were deeply interested in spiritual matters, so the mummification process, funeral processions and the afterlife were of import parts of their customs and civilization. A busy sarcophagus provided a means of helping the dead stay connected to the living in the afterlife. Pharaohs typically had several sarcophagi that were ornately decorated with spiritual symbols.

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Afterlife Themes
Majestic Seal
Previous Ruler'southward Cartouche
Elaborate Paintings

1 Afterlife Themes

A pharaoh's sarcophagus was oftentimes decorated with symbols etched onto its hard rock surface. Themes about life afterward death chiseled onto the sarcophagus were meant to assistance the pharaoh in his journeying to the supernatural world in the afterlife. For example, the decorations on Merneptah's sarcophagus -- a pharaoh who ruled Egypt around 1200 B.C. -- displayed books well-nigh the sun god's journeys, broken into 12 sections. The sections were repeated on the box and lids of Merneptah's four sarcophagi.

2 Royal Seal

Each Egyptian pharaoh had a regal seal, known as a cartouche, that signified his identity. The cartouche included both the ruler's signature and a series of hieroglyphs virtually his life. He would mark his belongings with the cartouche so he could account for his wealth and many possessions. For instance, archaeologists studied the cartouche on the sarcophagus of Psusennes -- a pharaoh who ruled Arab republic of egypt around 900 B.C. -- and discovered how he accumulated his wealth. They also used the seal to place Psusennes as both a pharaoh and a high priest.

3 Previous Ruler'due south Cartouche

The outermost sarcophagus was ofttimes handed down from generation to generation, or from ruler to ruler, to solidify the family's position equally Egyptian rulers. As a result, a one-time pharaoh'south cartouche was often imprinted on the coffin. Merenptah's seal, for example, was likewise imprinted on Psusennes' sarcophagus, even though he died 150 years earlier Psusennes inherited his position of ability.

four Elaborate Paintings

Ancient Egyptians typically painted pharaohs' sarcophagi with detailed, ornate paintings and hieroglyphs that offered spiritual protection. They believed the artwork came to life in the afterworld and helped the deceased in the journey from one place to another. They used brightly colored, cheerful paints to adorn the coffins. Most sarcophagi included paintings of large homo eyes that provided a window, so the expressionless could run into out of the coffin into the afterlife. Scenes from mythology, battles between the gods, supernatural creatures, images of the gods, sacred animals, trees, h2o and geographical locations were frequently painted on a pharaoh's sarcophagus.

Nigh the Author

As curriculum developer and educator, Kristine Tucker has enjoyed the plethora of English assignments she's read (and graded!) over the years. Her experiences every bit vice-president of an energy consulting business firm have given her the opportunity to explore business concern writing and HR. Tucker has a BA and holds Ohio instruction credentials.