Grave models – Egypt in South Africa

Egypt in
South Africa

Iziko Slave Lodge

The Egyptians placed many models from everyday life in their graves as a substitute for real objects that would magically come to life for use during the Afterlife.

The boat plays an important role in the old Egyptian everyday life as well as in Egyptian mythology. Model boats were made from wood as well as clay and were believed to provide transport for the deceased to the Underworld.

A grave model made from clay comes from Abusir el-Malaq (Delta) from 1^st-2^nd century CE.

Images are from the Egyptian Collection found in the Iziko Slave Lodge and Photo Archives of Iziko.
Maps and images marked MACU were supplied by the Department of Ancient Studies, University of Stellenbosch.
Special thanks to Anlen Boshoff, ex-curator of antiquities at Iziko, Esther Esmyol, curator at Iziko, and the Department of Ancient Studies, University of Stellenbosch.