Heart Scarab
Found with later intrusive burials in a Middle Kingdom tomb, this heart scarab was crudely inscribed with a portion of Spell 30 from the Book of the Dead, asking the heart not to bear witness against the deceased during the judgement before the god of the dead, Osiris. The lower part of the scarab is broken away so the name of the owner is missing. The scarab was pierced for stringing.
Artwork Details
- Title: Heart Scarab
- Period: Third Intermediate Period–Late Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 21–30
- Date: ca. 1070–332 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb MMA 511, MMA excavations, 1922–23
- Medium: Slate
- Dimensions: L. 4.2 × W. 3.3 × H. 1.8 cm (1 5/8 × 1 5/16 × 11/16 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1926
- Object Number: 26.3.235
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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