Funerary processions in Egypt from the old kingdom till the new kingdom

Abstract EN

Representation of the funeral rites on the walls of various tombs of Nobles was a common feature throughout ancient Egypt.

Painted and inscribed pictorial scenes of funerary rituals appear in all periods from the Old through New Kingdoms.

The purpose of the funerary rituals was to elevate the mortal to the superhuman (Hays, 2010).

That funeral procession scenes are complicated and represent many events including pilgrimage, crossing the river, marching to the necropolis and arriving at the tomb.

The events consisted of placing the deceased in a coffin followed by a procession to the tomb.

The deceased's sons, relatives, priests, dancers, and musicians joined the procession.

Mourners, sons and relatives were represented with great sorrow and grief of losing the deceased.

The priests and his sons were also depicted accompanying the deceased and performing libation, reading recites and perfuming the deceased with incense.

The dance of Muu and Tekenu also were depicted on the walls of the tomb as a part of the funeral procession.

Divinities were also represented during the procession including Osiris, Anubis and the goddess of the west.

(El-Shahawy, 2005).

These texts and depictions about funerary rituals played an important role in defining the development of the funeral art from the Old kingdom till the New kingdom.