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Tag for Mummy of a Stonecutter, with Text in Greek and Demotic

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Preserving the name of the deceased was essential to rebirth in the afterlife. In the Roman Period, wooden tags were attached to mummies to help preserve the name for eternity. In Greek the tag on the right (37.1395E) reads, “Horos, son of Psenmonthes, stonecutter”; in Demotic Egyptian it reads, “The Osiris, Horus, son of Psenmonth, the stonecutter and the Prophet of Imhotep.” The tag on the left reads in Greek, “Pecheisis, son of Apollonius. He lived fifty-eight years.”
MEDIUM Wood, ink
  • Reportedly From: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES 30 B.C.E.–365 C.E.
    PERIOD Roman Period (probably)
    DIMENSIONS 2 7/16 x 4 x 1/2 in. (6.2 x 10.2 x 1.2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1395E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Wooden mummy ticket. The ticket is roughly rectangular with one of the shorter sides tapering. This projection is pierced, and a fragment of cord passing through this hole is preserved. The piece is inscribed on one of the large surfaces with a text in Greek and Demotic. The inscription reads: “Horos, son of Psenmonthes, stone cutter. Osiris, Hor son of Psenmonth, the hw, the Prophet of Imhotep”. Condition: Good.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Tag for Mummy of a Stonecutter, with Text in Greek and Demotic, 30 B.C.E.–365 C.E. Wood, ink, 2 7/16 x 4 x 1/2 in. (6.2 x 10.2 x 1.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1395E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1395E_front_PS1.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 37.1395E_front_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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