Death & Burial Page
Miniature servants made of stone, wood, or clay were included in the tomb. They were called "shabtis ." It seems that they were supposed to carry out the hard work that Osiris , god of the underworld, might ask the deceased to perform. They often carried a pick, hoe, or other tool in their hands and were inscribed with a command from the "Book of the Dead:"
"O shabti, if the deceased is called upon to do any of the work required there in the necropolis at any time . . . you shall say 'Here I am, I will do it.'"

Egypt, Saite Period
26th Dynasty, ca. 600 B.C.

"Shabti (Ushabti)"
Faience, 5-7/8 x 1-3/4 x 1-3/16 inches
Gift of C. Herbert Ocumpaugh, 28.405
Collection of the Memorial Art Gallery

ODYSSEY HOME NEAR EAST Egypt GREECE ROME

© Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University,
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester and Dallas Museum of Art
For more information please contact odyssey@emory.edu.
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