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The papyrus reed which grows in the Nile marshes of Egypt was used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to form a type of paper by laying thin strips over each other and pressing them. If the manuscript was of any length, a number of papyrus sheets were attached to form a long roll., Thebes, Ptolemaic Period.

Figure

Antiquities

D13.37

Three gods in one. The figure represents three gods in one: Ptah - the creator of the world; Socharis (or Seker) - the god of death or the under world; Osiris (or Asar) - the god through whom all people obtained life in the underworld. This wooden figure was originally gilded. The stand was hollowed out to contain a prayer written on a piece of papyrus. In a hole on the figure was placed a small portion of the deceased's body. So long as this body portion remained intact the body lying in the tomb would be assured of everlasting life. The figure was placed in the tomb with the coffin.

Ring

Antiquities

E34.106

Eye of the God Horus

Pestle

Antiquities

E24.58

Figure, Animal

Antiquities

E33.129

Vase

Antiquities

D13.49

Badarian Pottery from the Badari site is a distinctive black-topped ware made of clay mixed with sand. The outside was coated with a polished layer of haematite. The pots were then placed mouth downward into the embers of the fire resulting in a shiny black surface at the lip.

Pot

Antiquities

E24.19

Pot

Antiquities

E24.11

Vase

Antiquities

F82.204

Pot

Antiquities

E24.60

Lid, Jar, Canopic

Antiquities

D13.33

Carving

Antiquities

E36.1

Limestone relief depicting a shaven-headed, bowing priest.Priests in Egypt did not preach and had no parishioners to instruct. A priest's duty was to serve the god who dwelt in the temple statue. To be pure, a priest had to make his ablutions twice daily and twice during the night. He was completely shaven, shorn and plucked. Priests acquired a great deal of power in Egyptian society through their managing the lands of the god and their revenues.

Statue, Religious

Antiquities

E13.4

Osiris was the god of the dead and the Afterworld, vegetation, and fertility. He was also the god who brought civilisation to the Egyptian people. Osiris' restoration to life after having been killed by the wicked god Seth saw him as offering people the hope of eternal life after death.

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Amulet

Papyrus

Figure

Ring

Pestle

Figure, Animal

Vase

Pot

Pot

Vase

Pot

Lid, Jar, Canopic

Carving

Statue, Religious

Amulet

Pot

Figure

Palette

Palette

Faience, Tile