<em>Sarcophagus Lid for Pa-di-Inpu</em>, ca. 305–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 82 × 26 × 15 in., 1500 lb. (208.3 × 66 × 38.1 cm, 680.4kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 34.1222. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 34.1222_PS9.jpg)

Sarcophagus Lid for Pa-di-Inpu, ca. 305–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 82 × 26 × 15 in., 1500 lb. (208.3 × 66 × 38.1 cm, 680.4kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 34.1222. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 34.1222_PS9.jpg)

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How were the Egyptians able to carve stone in this manner?

They would take the piece of stone that they wanted to use and create a grid on the surface. Ancient Egyptians used very exact, proportional measurements. Then they would draw the image they wanted to carve onto this grid, and chisel away at the surface. They would polish the sculpture down with sand or other abrasives

What and who is this?

That would be a sarcophagus lid carved of limestone. It was intended as a lid for a wealthy scribe and priest named Pa-di-Inpu. The very wealthy could afford stone sarcophagi, which have survived through the ages, whereas the less wealthy used wood or terra cotta for items in their tombs.

Why do all of the coffins have the same hair?

It actually represents and stylish and elaborate wig! On their sarcophagi, the ancient Egyptians were portrayed in the finest clothes, wigs, and accessories.

Though there were different trends throughout time, longer wings were always typically reserved for special occasions.

Do you know what the hieroglyhphs say on this?

In English, the inscription reads: Royal scribe, accountant of all things, priest of Hathor, Mistress of Hebenu, scribe of Anubis of Her-Djed, Pa-di-Inpu, son of the Royal scribe, Pa-di-Inpu born of the priestess of Wadjet, mistress of Her-Djed, Thenet.

It simply identifies the owner of this sarcophagus and cites his various, prestigious titles.

That’s so cool!

What is the thing around the head that I always see in Egyptian art? What is the thing below the chin?

The thing on the head represents hair, while the extension below the chin is a braided beard. Large hairstyles, created by using hair extensions and sometimes wigs, were popular throughout ancient Egyptian history.

The beard with a curve at the end, in particular, can draw comparisons to the braided beard worn by Osiris, the king of the afterlife.

Does braided beard mean anything?

It's meaning is mostly in that it is linked to Osiris. Mummies were created with certain features in common with Osiris, who himself was mummified and is shown with green skin, shrouded like a mummy.

Tell me more.

According to the inscription, this belonged to a man named Pa-di-Inpu, a wealthy individual with the following titles: Royal scribe, accountant of all things, priest of Hathor of Hebenis, scribe of Anubis of Hiffonon

Overall, the lid is quite generic. The curved beard is an allusion to divinity. We do know that this lid is from the Cemetery at el Tarmakiya in Hardai. Hardai was the site of a cult to Anubis which may explain the "Inpu" element in his name, which is a form of "Anubis."

Sarcophagus Lid for Pa-di-Inpu

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Although anthropoid, or mummiform, coffins made of stone instead of wood first appeared during the New Kingdom (circa 1539–1070 B.C.E.), they did not become common until the Late Period (circa 664–332 B.C.E.). The change from wood to stone reflects a step toward permanent protection in the afterlife.

Pa-di-Inpu, the owner of this limestone sarcophagus lid, served as a scribe attached to the cult of Inpu (Anubis to the Greeks), lord of the city of Hardai, and was named for the god. He also served as a royal scribe and as a priest in a cult of the goddess Hathor.

MEDIUM Limestone

Place Found: Hardai (Kynopolis) (vicinity), Egypt

DATES ca. 305–30 B.C.E.

PERIOD Ptolemaic Period

DIMENSIONS 82 × 26 × 15 in., 1500 lb. (208.3 × 66 × 38.1 cm, 680.4kg) (show scale)

INSCRIPTIONS Three vertical columns of inscription down the front give names and titles.

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 34.1222

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

PROVENANCE Cemetery at el Tarmakiya, Hardai (Kynopolis), Egypt; archaeological excavation not yet documented; by 1930, acquired by André Bircher of Cairo, Egypt; 1934, purchased from F. Serveux-Sickenberger, agent of André Bircher estate, by Jean Capart for the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Limestone sarcophagus lid of man with wig and beard. Three vertical registers of hieroglyphs run down the lower front. The translation is “Royal scribe, accountant of all things, priest of Hathor of Hebenis (the XVIth Nome of Upper Egypt), scribe of Anubis of Hiffonon (XVIIIth Nome of Upper Egypt), Pedi-Anubis, son of the Royal scribe, Pedi-Anubis born of a priestess of Uazit of Hiffonon Thet.” Judging by the similarity of names and titles of the owners of this lid and 34.1221 were of the same family. Inscription: ss nsw.t hsb ht nb.t, hm-ntr n Ht-hr nb.t…., ss n Inpw nb Hr-dj; P;dj-inpw ; s; n ss nswt. P;-dj; ms n nb.t…..W;d.t, nb.t Hr-dj, Thn.t Condition: The piece is entire and in good condition although there are numerous scratches and nicks on the surface.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Sarcophagus Lid for Pa-di-Inpu, ca. 305–30 B.C.E. Limestone, 82 × 26 × 15 in., 1500 lb. (208.3 × 66 × 38.1 cm, 680.4kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 34.1222. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 34.1222_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 34.1222_PS9.jpg., 2018

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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