Outer Coffin of Meret-it-es

This outer coffin of the noblewoman Meret-it-es originally held the large inner coffin standing to your left. Two coffins doubled the protection for the mummy. As long as the mummy was preserved, the spirit of the deceased could exist in the hereafter. The paintings on the coffins also ensured the spirit's continued existence. Short side of coffin, on your left Meret-it-es appears four times before two solar disks. She hopes to be resurrected and thereby be like the sun, which is reborn every morning. Top of coffin A human-headed bird flies to Meret-it-es' mummy. This is her ba, something akin to the modern idea of personality or soul. Her ba must enter her mummy each evening for Meret-it-es' spirit to be able to walk among the living during the day. The long spell written in hieroglyphs ensures this. Lid, standing figures and jackals below Divine powers protect Meret-it-es: the 12 Hours of the Day (each crowned with a solar disk) on this side; the Hours of the Night (each with a star) on the other side; and Anubis, guardian of cemeteries, in his form as a jackal over a tomb or shrine. Chest (below), standing figures These 42 judges have threatening names such as: Flaming One Who Came Forth Backwards, Bone Breaker and Blood Eater. Each holds a large knife. Meret-it-es has proclaimed her innocence to them, reciting 42 wicked things she did not do-as, for example: "I have not told lies," "I have not stolen," "My voice was not loud" and "I have not made lawsuits." The judges have believed her and her spirit can now enter the afterlife.

Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust (by exchange)