Wooden Tomb Model

Wooden tomb models were deposited as grave goods in the tombs and burial shafts throughout early Egyptian History, most notably in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. They included a wide variety of wooden figurines and scenes, such as boats, granaries, baking and brewing scenes and butchery scenes.

These models served as ways to preserve the action depicted for eternity in honor of the dead. The use of wood rather than other materials became popular in the First Intermediate Period. Over time the models of boats, in particular, went from life size to much smaller scale though they remained numerous, some boats being less than a meter in length and fleets at times being larger than 50 models.

Predynastic, Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom

Pottery and ivory models from the Predynastic and Early Dynastic periods are rare, but have been found to include similar items and scenes to the later models such as granaries.Tooley, Angela M. J. "Models." In ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt''. Oxford University Press, 2001. . OCLCbr>163459051
There are some boats of the predynastic period, which are thought to have been modeled after boats used in swamps. Stone miniature containers were developed at this time and use for ritual purposes with an introduction of copper containers in the 6th Dynasty however, pottery remained popular. These types of jars would also go on to inspire wooden models of stone containers in the Middle Kingdom.

During the Old Kingdom, limestone models of single figures taking part in a variety of daily life activities such as farming, food preparation, brewing, animal butchering, and entertainment were produced. Wooden boat models also had become popular and have been found in elite burials. The funerary boats of the Old Kingdom were often life size or at times oversized, believed to be part of the funerary precession a mummy would take or an offering to the deceased. The Old Kingdom introduced square shaped river boats into the corpus. The models are often buried outside of the tomb, in the serdab, or in statue niches within the tomb.

Towards the end of the 5th Dynasty was when the first wooden models came into production, though often alongside stone pieces. These wooden models were smaller than those of later periods and less decorative in style. An example of this type of model can be seen to the right. Following the reign of Pepi II, such models are increasingly found in elite burials and in greater numbers.

First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom

The First Intermediate Period models usually consisted of two or more human figures attached to a base in a scene.Tooley, Angela M. J. "Models." In ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt''. Oxford University Press, 2001. . OCLCbr>163459051
These scenes can depict a variety of tasks including food production, crafting and other modes of specialized work though boats remained popular through this period as well.

Most funerary models that survive today are from the Middle Kingdom, where not only the number of models but the variety of the models increased. Boats continued to diversify with the introduction of a new type of curved river boat, as well as boats that modeled ceremonial boats relating to solar worship and funerary practices.

Models in the Middle Kingdom could be found in many areas of the burial such as the tomb chapel, floor niches and shafts, or in the burial chamber. Models found in the burial chamber were orientated to the cardinal directions and coffin, and could be found both on top of the coffin and on the floor beside it. Boats would often come in pairs of rowing and sailing boats, representing both a trip north and south. Most of the models shared themes with scenes that are found on contemporary tomb chapel walls and coffins. For example, granaries are found depicted on southern walls of tomb chambers, particularly in the Old Kingdom, and as well as on the foot ends of Middle Kingdom coffins.

Some of the best known are the twenty-four wooden models that come from the tomb of Meketre ( TT280), which are now found in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The largest collection of models were found in Tomb 10A of Djehutynakht and his wife, also called Djehutynakht, at Dayr al-Barshā by the 1915 the Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts excavation which included "some 58 model boats and nearly three dozen models of daily life." These models are now at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
File:Model of a procession of offering bearers MET DT224780.jpg, alt=Four people walking in line, the rightmost two are male. The one on the farthest right carries a vase of alcohol and incense, the next man carries a pile of folded linens one of which is red while the others are white. The females carry square baskets of different types of bread and one of them also has another vase of alcohol., A procession of offerings found in the tomb of Meketre in the 12th dynasty. The people depicted are believed to possibly be his children carrying these goods to his tomb.
File:Model Cattle stable from the tomb of Meketre MET DT234927.jpg, alt=Top down view of a building where the right half of the building depicts four oxen eating from a manger. The left side of the model depicts two workers feeding two cattle from a pile of grain that sits between the workers. Near the open door an overseer sits with a baton., Another model from the tomb of Meketre. This model depicts the practice of fattening up cattle before slaughter. In this model two workers are feeding the animals, one of which is too fat to stand, all of this is being watched by an overseer who is holding a baton.
File:Model of a Granary with Scribes MET DP351558.jpg, alt=Top down view of a building cut into thirds, the building has peaked corners. The rightmost section contains many people holding various writing implements as the grain is counted. The right two sections have several workers standing on a beam across the top of them dumping grain into the areas below for storage., Another model from the tomb of Meketre, depicting a granary. This model contains several workers counting the grain as others pour grain into the storage areas. The accountants write on scrolls of papyrus and wooden writing boards. The corners of the building are peaked which is believed to prevent rodent infestation and discourage thieves.
File:Model Paddling Boat MET 20.3.5 EGDP011930.jpg, alt=Model of a green paddle boat where many workers would paddle the boat along the water. A man stands on the bow of the ship and a model of the deceased is seated and accompanied by another person., One of many boats found in the tomb of Meketre, this paddle boat depicts a religious ceremony. In this ceremony a statue of the deceased would be taken on boat to Abydos to the temple of Osiris. This became a more common practice from the Middle Kingdom onward.
File:Model Sporting Boat MET DP341852.jpg, alt=Model boat that consists of male and female figures manning the activities. The females assist in the storage and preparation of caught animals while several male figures appear to be harpooning prey., Another boat from the tomb of Meketre, this boat is believed to depict a fishing scene. A series of men assist in harpooning fish while others handle things that have already been caught.
File:Plowing scene (Louvre E 27069) 01.jpg, alt=Man holding a yoked plow behind two cows. The cows appear to be yoked together and assisting the man in plowing. In the background a rectangular model of a sandstone building possibly a home is present., The exact dating for this model is unknown it is believed to have possibly been from the First Intermediate Period or the Middle Kingdom. The model consists of a farming scene.

Late Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom

During the reign of Senusret III, the use of wooden models in tombs declines and are no longer found. However, frequently included in discussions of Middle Kingdom models are several model boats that have been found in New Kingdom royal burials, most notably the burial of Tutankhamun. Tutankhamun's flotilla included thirty-five boats. Other notable New Kingdom models are the boats of Queen Aahotep at Dra Abu el-Naga which includes one made of gold with silver figures and another made entirely of silver.

References

Further reading

* Jones, Dilwyn (1990). ''Model boats from the tomb of Tutʻankhamūn''. Oxford: Griffith Institute. . OCLCbr>23582589

*Reisner, George Andrew (1913). '' Models of ships and boats''. Le Caire: l'Institut français d'archéologie orientale
*Tooley, Angela M. J. "Models." In ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt''. Oxford University Press, 2001. . OCLCbr>163459051

*Tooley, Angela M. J. (1995). ''Egyptian models and scenes''. Princes Risborough: Shire. {{ISBN, 0-7478-0285-8.
Examination of Wooden Tomb Models - Penn Museum

Art of ancient Egypt
Funerary art
Sculptures of ancient Egypt
Wooden sculptures
Figurines
Egyptian artefact types
Ancient Egypt