Mummy pencil tin, Denytenamun

The Ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife, but in order to enjoy it to the full there were certain preparations which had to be made. The body of the deceased had to be preserved, wrapped in bandages and then encased in a series of coffins decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions, often spells or invocations to the gods to protect the occupant and guide them safely to the afterlife. This design is copied from the painted wooden coffin of Denytenamun found at Thebes and dating from c.900 BC. Figures of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys are shown with their wings outstretched towards Osiris, and below are two forms of the sun god, the cow of Hathor and the bull of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, the four sons of Horus, and on the feet the two jackals representing Wepwawet.