Falcon Pectoral
Third Intermediate Period
This falcon with outstretched wings was found within Gautsoshen’s mummy wrappings. It was placed on her upper chest, above the heart scarab, likely to protect the chest or throat. Although there are other gods that take falcon form, here it is probably a depiction of Horus, holding shen rings, symbols of the eternal circuit of the sun, in his talons.
The legs, made separately, are held to the body with rivets. A hole for stringing has been punched through the tip of each wing, but these do not appear to have been used.
The impressions of what appear to have been similar falcons were found on the mummies of Djedmutesankh and Nesitaset. These were presumably taken by thieves for the metal. It is also possible that other of the mummies in the tomb had pectorals that have left no trace.
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