Heart Scarab of Manhata

New Kingdom

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 118

The Egyptians regarded the heart as the seat of the spirit, and it was not removed from the body during mummification. Among the spells popularly known as the Book of the Dead, one (30B) calls upon the heart not to bear witness against the deceased during judgment in the afterlife. This spell was usually inscribed on a large scarab made of green stone that was placed on the mummy's chest. Instead of a scarab, Queen Manhata was given a heart-shaped amulet. The ends of the gold wire that held the amulet in place are shaped like birds' heads.

For other objects belonging to this queen, see 18.8.1a, b; 18.8.22a, b.

Heart Scarab of Manhata, Gold, green schist

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Heart Scarab of Manhata, Gold, green schist
Heart Scarab of Manhata, Gold, green schist

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