Uncovered 4000-year-old handprint in an ancient Egyptian tomb's artifact collection
In an intriguing discovery, researchers at the Fitzwilliam Museum, part of the University of Cambridge, have unearthed a 4,000-year-old handprint on a "soul house" from ancient Egypt. This find offers a rare glimpse into the life of an ancient potter and provides valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the time.
The soul house, a model dwelling intended for a dead person's soul, was discovered at a site called Deir Rifa, located 174 miles north of Luxor in southern Egypt. Dating back to between 2055 and 1650 B.C., this significant find is one of the relatively few glimpses of potters at work to have survived from ancient Egypt.
The handprint, found on the underside of the soul house, was likely left by someone who handled the clay before it had dried. This could have been the potter who created the soul house, moving the model out of a workshop to dry before firing at a high temperature to turn it into ceramic. The frame burned away during this process, leaving only the handprint as a testament to the craftsman's touch.
The soul house, with two levels and a row of pillars on each, was placed directly over burial shafts, suggesting they were a cheaper alternative to elaborate tomb chapels. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie, who coined the term "soul house," believed they were used to provide provisions for the afterlife. However, the University of Cambridge's statement suggests that soul houses may have served as both offerings and homes for the spirit of the deceased.
Helen Strudwick, the curator of Made in Ancient Egypt and a senior Egyptologist at the Fitzwilliam Museum, described the discovery as "rare and exciting." According to Strudwick, this handprint takes you directly to the moment when the object was made and to the person who made it. This discovery provides a unique connection to the past, offering insights into the lives and work of ancient potters and the cultural practices of their time.
The discovery of the handprint was made while preparing for the museum's upcoming Made in Ancient Egypt exhibition. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to see this remarkable find, along with other artefacts that shed light on the rich history of ancient Egypt. The exhibition is set to open soon, promising a captivating journey through time.
