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Coffin for an ibis containing a mummy

A reddish, conical Nile silt jar with a slightly rounded mouth that tapers to a convex base. CT scans show a complete, but fragmented, body of an adult ibis. The head was possibly placed under on top of the wing, at an angle. Initially the bird was tightly wrapped in bandages, then impregnated in what appears to be a ‘crust’ of clay or oils to protect the contents of the bundle. Finally, several layers of more loosely wound textiles cover the package.

Cat. 3508
Clay / Clay
45.4 cm
380–332 BCE
Late Period
Thirtieth Dynasty
Saqqara (?)
Purchase Bernardino Drovetti, 1824
Museum / Floor 1 / Room 11 RET / Armadio 48 SA / Ripiano 01
Museo Egizio