26th Dynasty sarcophagus
- Gallery: Room 4
- Culture: 26th Dynasty
- Date: 600BC (circa)
- Object type: sarcophagus
- Materials: siltstone
- Museum number: EA17
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is a sarcophagus dating back to Egypt's 26th Dynasty, around 600 BC. It was carved from siltstone and includes a finely detailed base and lid. The lid depicts Sasobek, a high-ranking official under Pharaoh Psamtek I. He is shown wearing a wig, false beard, and a broad collar, giving a peaceful and naturalistic expression.
Look closely, and you'll notice two columns of hieroglyphs describing offerings and titles. Above them is a representation of the sky goddess Nut, with her arms outstretched in protection. In Sasobek’s hands are symbols of stability and protection — the djed pillar of Osiris and the knot of Isis.
This sarcophagus is remarkable for its excellent condition and intricate details, especially the rare inclusion of a false beard. Such a work shows the artistic and religious practices of ancient Egypt at the time of Saite rule.
See it in person
26th Dynasty sarcophagus is on display in Room 4 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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