Ushabti – Egypt in South Africa

Egypt in
South Africa

Iziko Slave Lodge

The ushabti figures (in the shape of mummies/sarcophagus) were placed in graves as ‘workers of the dead’. It was believed that they could be resurrected to work and were often found in cemeteries. It was especially common during the Middle Kingdom (2000BCE). Patterns were found that were used to mass produce ushabtis.

Iziko’s collection contains many different ushabtis.

An ushabti figure in Iziko's collection. (c) Iziko Museums photograph by Carina Beyer.

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.