Background:

A sarcophagus is a frame that surrounded the body and provided protection to it through the journey from east to west and from tomb robbers. It is the house of life pr anx and one of the essential equipment of burial in ancient Egypt. The sarcophagus is usually rectangular in shape and has a lid with two handles protruding out of it to by easily carried. Some mummies were buried in sarcophagi taking the shape of the mummy. In the new kingdom sarcophagi were found protected from each corner by the four protective deities; Isis, Neftis, Neith and selket with their wings sread on the sarcophagus. The first sarcophagus found was that of queen htp hrs mother of king xwfw. It was made out of alabaster found her tomb. Sarcophagi were made out of hard stone such as alabaster, schist, ganite. Some sarcophagi were made out of lime stone including royal sarcophagi such as the two sarcophagi of the two wives of Mentuhotep II. This is because limestone is easy to inscribe on because it is soft. In the beginning there was nothing inscribed on the sarcophagus such as the sarcophagi of kings xwfw, xA.f ra, mn kAw ra. By the end of the 4th dynasty nobles started to inscribe some representations on their sarcophagi. They were decorated with the façade of the royal palace. Inscriptions on the walls of pyramids consisted of magical spells and hymns to help the deceased over come difficulties through his journey to the west are called Pyramid texts. During the 1st Intermediate Period these texts were written on sarcophagi and were called coffin texts. In the Middle Kingdom tests were written on papyri and reached their final development as the Book of the Dead.

The sarcophagus:

This sarcophagus belongs to a noble contemporary of king xwfw. The sarcophagus was found in a tomb at Giza. It is made out of pink granite. The façade is represented with three entrances and six windows

Hieroglyphic inscriptions:

pr pAat: the speaker of the house

sDAwty bity: seal bearer

<!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!--  <!--<!-- 

smr waty: the sole companion

<!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!-- <!--<!--  <!--<!--   <!--<!--