Preparing the tomb
Many years could be spent on building and preparing tombs, which were known to the ancient Egyptians as 'houses of eternity'. The tombs of wealthy people in the Late Period (664 BCE - 332 BCE) were generally composed of two parts: the burial chamber and the mortuary chapel. The burial chamber was under the ground. It housed and protected the body and was decorated with scenes and spells that would assist them in the afterlife. The mortuary chapel was above ground and was accessible to visitors who would perform rites and make offerings of food and drink for the dead person's spirit.
Stone vessels were usually used to store food, plants or flowers placed in burial chambers or mortuary chapels. Their outsides were polished with wet sand to make them smooth. The insides were hollowed out with a stone drill.
Dish made of schist
Early Dynastic Period (about 2920 BCE - 2575 BCE)
From Abu Roash
National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden
© National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands
Dish made of alabaster
Early Dynastic Period (about 2920 BCE - 2575 BCE)
From Abu Roash
National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden
© National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands
Dish made of alabaster
Early Dynastic Period (about 2920 BCE - 2575 BCE)
From Abu Roash
National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden
© National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands
Cylinder vase made of alabaster
Early Dynastic Period (about 2920 BCE - 2575 BCE)
From Abu Roash
National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden
© National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands
