Egyptian Coffins

Ancient Egyptian coffins and pyramids are well known throughout the world because of the art and tradition behind their use. The pyramids were built as temples for the deceased.They contained many of the departed’s personal belongings because their belief was that they would need them in the afterlife. Egyptian coffins usually were in the shape of a human and were painted on the outside.Generally,assorted colors of paintwould be applied on the outside of the coffin to create a likeness of the person inside. The deceased would be placed inside, already wrapped and embalmed.

Traditional Egyptian Coffins

The ancient traditional coffin was layered in order to preserve the body for as long as possible. These layers were made of wood and some layers were very plain.However, other layers were painted very carefully and adorned with jewels. Ancient Egyptians strongly believed that they would need their body in the afterlife, and that’s why they had a burial ritual that included such extensive embalming. Careful painting on the outside was in order for the deceased to be recognizable upon reaching the afterlife. They‘d also include a false door in the pyramid for thespirit to walk out of if they needed to.The inside of the coffin would include information regarding the deceased such as their ancestors and family history. Egyptians were also firm believers that if the coffin was desecrated then a curse should fall upon whoever broke into it.

Why the Sarcophagus Has Enamored the World

The sarcophagus was the perhaps the most important funeral piece in ancient Egypt; usually it was carved or cut from limestone. "Sarcophagus" means 'flesh eating stone' and it derives from the Greek language; the word describes the limestone which wasthought todecay the flesh of the bodies inside of it. When archaeologists in modern times started to discover the ancient burial places of the Egyptians, they were astonished by the way they were buried and how much detail was put into preparing thecorpse. The sarcophagus is beautifully painted and by the hieroglyphics found, we now know that the ancient Egyptians used the sarcophagus for the spirit of the deceased to recognize their body in the afterlife.

Burial in a Sarcophagus

Ancient Egyptians strongly believed that they had to do their best in preserving the body of the deceased because they were going to need it in the afterlife. They took great care in preparing everything that was going to be part of the burial ceremony such as blessing tools and preserving organs. When the person passed away, they would remove all organs from the body and place them in jars.Later they would proceed to wrap the body up in fine linen. Only the wealthy families would be buried with such care. The ancient Egyptians were able to improve the mummification process whicheventually took about 70 days to complete. They would remove the brain through the nose cavity and embalm the body with essential oils for preservation.