Sarcophagus of Nitocris

Sarcophagus of Nitocris
Sarcophagus of Nitocris
 

GEM Number

2381

Collection

Grand Stairs

Period

Late Period

Dynasty

26

Description

This massive granite sarcophagus was made for Nitocris, the daughter of King Psamtik I of Dynasty 26. Under her father’s reign, Nitocris was installed as a ‘Divine Adoratrice of Amun Re’. Like earlier priestesses who held the same title, she had a funerary chapel built for her at Medinet Habu. Her sarcophagus was, however, discovered in 1885 in a rock cut pit at Deir el-Medina. She is represented as a mummy lying with arms crossed on her chest, holding the crook and flail. The shape of the sarcophagus recalls New Kingdom royal sarcophagi although the facial features of the princess clearly reflect a Saite style.

Region
Upper Egypt
Area
Luxor
Granite

Height

80 cm

Width

110 cm

Length

270 cm