Early Dynastic. 3200-3150 BC
Hathor began to be worshipped.
Corpses were wrapped in mats or furs. Then enclosed in pots, clay coffins, wooden scaffold, or baskets.
Old Kingdom
(the ‘Pyramid Age’)c. 2649-2150 BC
Coffins were rectangular to represent the homes the deceased had lived in during life.
A red cloth [referred to as ‘red cloth from the House of Life’ in one writing], possessed solar symbolism as well as associations to Osiris.
The mummy merging with the god Osiris was only for the king until the end of the Old Kingdom, where it extended to commoners.
At the end of the period, common people gained access to funerary texts. This began ‘Coffin Texts’.
The body also became associated with Ra, transforming it into a phoenix, the manifestation of the sun god.
Red wrappings as bandages came to mean the unification of the deceased with Osiris.
First Intermediate Period
c. 2150-2030 BC
Beliefs in the afterlife changed, the deceased became considered a manifestation of the god Osiris.
A false door was painted on the exterior of the coffin to allow the spirit to travel back and forth from the coffin to the tomb.
Wadjet eyes were painted on the coffin to allow the deceased to see outside.
Middle Kingdom
c.2030-1640 BC
Amun is king of the deities.
Lower (northern) Egyptian coffins styles became homogeneous. While Upper Egyptian styles were variable, developing their own distinct styles.
Shabtis appear, made of wood or wax. One per tomb.
Introduction of the ‘Court style’ coffin, used for members of royal family. Simple, bands of hieroglyphs, and gold leaf.
Second Intermediate Period
(Northern Delta region ruled by the Asiatics)
c. 1640-1540 BC
Anthropoid coffin becomes standard.
Coffins were decorated with a large pair of wings (vulture) for both royals and non-royals.
This is referred to as ‘Rishi’, after the Arabic word for ‘feather’.
The wings may have been associated with the winged goddesses Isis and Nephthys.
The figure on front of the coffin was updated with a headdress, collar, and false beard to help blend the god Osiris with the deceased.
Intermediate periods were usually times of struggle, and royal coffins made during these times are far less extravagant.
New Kingdom
c. 1550-1070 BC
Amun worshipped nationally, and was changed to be depicted as a ran in hieroglyphic art.
Nut began to be depicted on coffins.
Osiris became master of the underground world (the afterlife).
The symbol of a knotted piece of cloth called tit (pronounced teet), has no direct origin. Though during this time, it became associated directly to Isis, and her blood. It was a potent symbol used for protection in the afterlife. According to the Book of the Dead, these amulets were typically made of blood-red stone and placed at the deceased’s neck.
Anthropoid (human-shaped) coffins become typical; tombs are not decorated as art goes onto the coffins.
The wealthy (upper and middle class) could afford and were legally allowed multiple coffins (up to four), usually involving coffins, an inner coffin, and sarcophagi. Though, some are found with only one coffin.
Lower statuses were buried in single coffins, made from pottery or reeds.
Gold and silver reserved was for kings but could indicate a relationship to the king or high priests’ family.
Some coffins had runners built onto them to help pull them across the desert.
Common woods to make coffins were cedar, sycamore, or acacia.
The various scenes on the exterior and interior of the coffin are painted in white, blue, green, red, and black on a yellow background.
Shabtis became more popular, as were adding multiple and even large groups even including overseers. They were made of wood, metal, stone, faience.
Third Intermediate Period
c. 1070-713 BC
A crossed stole of red leather painted on coffins becomes popular, likely signifying protection.
Art becomes more solar based.
The Libyan rule Egypt.
Coffins were yellow, and a foot pedestal was added so they could be placed vertically.
Workshops varied in construction of types of coffins.
Common symbols of the time-
Apis Bull with a mummy on its back
Djed symbol (stability/backbone of Osiris)
Wings (Abydos)
Late Intermediate Period
(Foreign rulers including Nubian, Libyan, and Persian rulers)
c.712-332 BC
Coffins switched to wood or stone, using an overly large smiling face
Ptolemaic Period
(Ruled by Greco-Romans)
c. 332-30 BC
Adopted Hellenic features
Maat has been personified as a deity and believed to have come down from the sky to the earth.
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