The small anthropoid coffins of Tutankhamen

<!--<!--These anthropoid coffins never contained any bodies. Their function was to contain heirlooms which are any object or personal property which is passed down through a family from generation to generation. Inside the coffins two items belonging to Tutankhamen’s ancestors were found: a lock of hair of his grandmother Queen Ti and a small statuette belonging to Amenhotep III

Other objects bearing the names of members of the king’s family were also found in the tomb such as two ivory plaques to mryt itn and mkt itn

It is said that these heirlooms might be a way of proving his royal blood to confirm his right to ascend the throne of Egypt as his grandparents were royalties

Four anthropoid coffins were found fitting inside each other diminishing in size. They were found in the treasury

The outermost coffin:

It is made out of wood covered with black resin and some parts are gilded. It takes the facial features of King Tutankhamen. He is represented wearing the xAt headdress, abroad collar and he is represented in the Osiride form with his hands crossed upon his chest. He used to hold the crook and flail but they are now missing. Beneath the hands there is a representation of Neckbet holding the Shen sign of eternity. The bandages are depicted as a horizontal band of inscriptions and four vertical ones covering the coffin. These inscriptions contain a prayer or a plea asking to be able to turn him into the imperishable stars as a sign of resurrection so he will be able to live forever and never die. At the bottom of his feet there is a representation of goddess Isis on the nbw sign for his protection. The outer sides of the coffin are decorated with representation of the sons of Horus

The second coffin:

It is made out of wood and covered with gold leaf and decorated with the rishi decoration. The king is represented wearing the nms headdress, a broad collar, in the Osiride form with his hands crossed on his chest which used to hold the crook and flail but they are now missing. Beneath his hands we can see the representation of the vulture and the cobra. The vulture here is represented as a bird with two wings with the head of the cobra. In the middle of the coffin there is a line of inscriptions giving the name and titles of the king

The third coffin:

It is made completely out of wood. Inside this one a small figure made out of pure gold belonging to king Amenhotep III was found. He was represented squatting and wearing the Khepresh crown. This figure was found within a bundle of linen and most probably it used to be hung from a necklace. Unfortunately, it is now missing. There were no inscriptions on the statuette bearing the name of Amenhotep III but it had been suggested that it belongs to him judging from the facial features

The innermost coffin:

This is the smallest one and it was found inside the third coffin. It is made out of wood also and it used to contain the lock of hair of Tutankhamen’s grandmother Queen Ti which is now displayed next to the coffin in a small showcase. The inscriptions on this coffin mention the manes and titles of Queen Ti  

Other small anthropoid coffins were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. They contained the mummies of his offspring form his royal wife. These babies died before birth. They were mummified complete with their little cartonnage masks and were put inside anthropoid coffins.