<em>Corn Mummy</em>, 305 B.C.E.–150 C.E. Wood, clay, sand, corn, linen, 5 3/4 x 6 7/8 x 19 11/16 in. (14.6 x 17.5 x 50 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Caren Golden in memory of Eleanor L. Golden, 2007.1a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 2007.1a-c_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)

Corn Mummy, 305 B.C.E.–150 C.E. Wood, clay, sand, corn, linen, 5 3/4 x 6 7/8 x 19 11/16 in. (14.6 x 17.5 x 50 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Caren Golden in memory of Eleanor L. Golden, 2007.1a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 2007.1a-c_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)

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Baby sarcophagus? Oh, animal mummies! Never mind.

I can see why you might think that! This sarcophagus actually isn't for an animal either, but it does tie right into ancient Egyptian beliefs about animals.

The contents of this coffin are known as a "corn mummy," though not corn in the English sense of the word, it is a symbolic mummy made of grain. The decorated and inscribed, falcon-headed coffin make it into an offering to the gods.

Tell me a bit about the corn mummy

The corn mummy doesn't actually contain any corn. Here, it refers to "grain" more broadly. The term corn is an artifact of the German language, where corn means all grain, not just maize.

Egyptians considered grain a living element, embodying the concept of resurrection and renewal. "Corn" mummies like these were created in connection with annual festival such as Khoiak, which linked the god Osiris, who died and was resurrected, to the fertility of the earth.

So this is what they’re referring to?

Yup! It's grain, wax and earth, wrapped in bandages and placed in the wooden coffin that is visible to you. The image on the front is the falcon god Sokar. Sokar, in conjunction with Osiris stood for the transformation from death to rebirth.

What mummified animal is this?

It is not an animal but rather a combination of grain, wax, and dirt wrapped in linen and placed in a coffin decorated with images of the falcon god Sokar-Osiris.

You may have noticed that the title of the work is "Corn Mummy." the word corn here is a carryover from the German language where corn means all grain, not just maize.

Mummies like these were created in connection with annual festivals which linked Osiris to the fertility of the earth! sprouting grain symbolized renewal, rejuvenation, and the cycle of life and death.

Thank you

Is this actually a corn mummy? It looks like a falcon or hawk.

It looks like a hawk because it has been made in the image of a deity, but the material inside is in fact grain, wax, and earth.

A falcon god, Sokar, shown here, was a common shape for corn mummies made during annual rituals in honor of the god Osiris. The corn represented renewal and resurrection, related to Osiris, the god who died and was resurrected as the Lord of the Dead.

What do the hieroglyphic symbols represent? Do they tell a story?

Hieroglyphs are like an alphabet. They represent sounds (and concepts in some cases). Put together, they form words, sentences, stories even. Do you see a coffin near you that is in the shape of a bird? The label calls it "Corn Mummy"

Yes

The body and feet of this coffin have a hieroglyphic inscription on them that we have translated. It reads:

"Hail, Sokar-Osiris, Greetings Re-Hor-Akhty and Khepri who created himself. How beautiful is your rising on the horizon when you illuminate the two lands with your rays! (All) the gods rejoice when they see Horus, King of The Sky, the Wnwt-cobra on your head, the Crown of Upper Egypt and the Crown of Lower Egypt on your brow.They have made their seat, while Thoth abides on the prow (of the sun boat.) Thoth abides in order to see the beauty of this, your image. I have come before you and I am with you."

So, it doesn't tell a story, it represents the prayer or plea to the god to help in the afterlife?

They can say anything. In this case it is a prayer. But hieroglyphs are just like letters. They can be used to express anything. The name of a person, their job title, a list of ingredients, a prayer to a god, or limitless other things. All inscriptions express different things in the Egyptian language.

So it is possible to translate all the hieroglyphs?

Yes! Scholars can read and translate most hieroglyphs into English or any modern language.

Very cool

What is inside this?

A mummy made of grain, wax, and earth! "Corn" mummies like these were made during annual rituals to honor the god Osiris and promote resurrection and renewal, especially as it was related to crops.

So, there’s no corpse inside?

Not in this one, no. Because part of its function was related to promoting agricultural fertility it is filled with mostly earth and grains.

That’s so cool, thanks!

Is there any documentation of the specific messages they sent with votive mummies?

Some of these written messages have survived. People asked for help with things that seem very familiar to us today: unkind family members, unfair co-workers, etc.

Another common complaint was about illness. These messages could be written on papyrus or linen, and could also be read out loud.

What does it actually say?

The inscription reads: Hail, Sokar-Osiris, Greetings Re-Hor-Akhty and Khepri who created himself. How beautiful is your rising on the horizon when you illuminate the two lands with your rays! (All) the gods rejoice when they see Horus, King of The Sky, the Wnwt-cobra on your head, the Crown of Upper Egypt and the Crown of Lower Egypt on your brow. They have made their seat, while Thoth abides on the prow (of the sun boat.) Thoth abides in order to see the beauty of this, your image. I have come before you and I am with you.

Is Osiris the owl?

Kind of, yes! This is actually a falcon and it does indeed represent the god Osiris!

The inscription on the lower part of the coffin is actually a prayer to Osiris himself.

Corn Mummy

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The Greek historian Herodotus visited Egypt in about 450 B.C.E. and in his writings associated animal mummies with pilgrimages and festivals in which kings performed rituals. The best archaeological evidence for ritual objects created for Egyptian festivals are, however, so-called corn mummies like this one.

Images of Osiris made of grain, wax, and earth contained in wooden coffins were created in connection with such annual festivals as Khoiak, which linked the god Osiris to the fertility of the earth. The grain sprouted from the earth, symbolizing renewal, rejuvenation, and the cycle of life and death.

MEDIUM Wood, clay, sand, corn, linen

Place Made: Akhmim, Egypt

DATES 305 B.C.E.–150 C.E.

PERIOD Ptolemaic Period to early Roman Period

DIMENSIONS 5 3/4 x 6 7/8 x 19 11/16 in. (14.6 x 17.5 x 50 cm) (show scale)

INSCRIPTIONS (1) Hail, Sokar-Osiris, Greetings Re-Hor-Akhty and Khepri who created himself. How beautiful is your rising on the horizon (2) when you illuminate the two lands with your rays! (All) the gods rejoice when they see Horus, King of The Sky, the Wnwt-cobra on your head, (3) the Crown of Upper Egypt and the Crown of Lower Egypt on your brow. (4) They have made their seat, while Thoth abides on the prow (of the sun boat.) (5) Thoth abides in order to see the beauty of this, your image. I have come before you and I am with you. * Text on Corn Mummy translated by Edward Bleiberg and Paul O'Rourke

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2007.1a-c

CREDIT LINE Gift of Caren Golden in memory of Eleanor L. Golden

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The object consists of a wooden coffin in the shape of a falcon. The upper section of the wooden coffin (a) is painted with red, blue, yellow and black pigments over a white gesso ground. The bottom section of the coffin (b) has a white gesso layer overall. Inside is a "corn mummy" (c), a mixture or inorganic and organic materials wrapped in finely woven linen. (a) Lid of coffin, (b) base of coffin, (c) mummy.

EXHIBITIONS

Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Corn Mummy, 305 B.C.E.–150 C.E. Wood, clay, sand, corn, linen, 5 3/4 x 6 7/8 x 19 11/16 in. (14.6 x 17.5 x 50 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Caren Golden in memory of Eleanor L. Golden, 2007.1a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 2007.1a-c_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2007.1a-c_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 2012

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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