Skull and bone of Perneb
These human remains were found in a plundered limestone sarcophagus in the burial chamber of the tomb of the palace administrator Perneb. They most likely belong to Perneb himself. In ancient times, the underground apartments of his tomb had been entered by tomb robbers who broke open the sarcophagus to search for valuables and destroyed much in the process. When the burial chamber was excavated in 1913, the sarcophagus was re-opened and archaeologists found only fragmentary skeletal remains rather than a complete individual. In 1916, some parts of the facial bones of Perneb’s skull and large parts of the lower jaw were reconstructed.
Perneb’s above-ground mastaba chapel (see 13.183.3) was purchased, together with his skeletal remains, from the Egyptian government in 1913.
Perneb’s above-ground mastaba chapel (see 13.183.3) was purchased, together with his skeletal remains, from the Egyptian government in 1913.
Artwork Details
- Title: Skull and bone of Perneb
- Period: Old Kingdom
- Date: ca. 2381–2323 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt, Memphite Region, Saqqara, Tomb of Perneb, burial chamber, Egyptian Antiquities Service/Quibell excavations
- Medium: Human skull and human bone
- Credit Line: Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1913
- Object Number: 13.183.3-anc1-3
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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