Red Granite Sarcophagus at The British Museum, London

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Once Egyptian elites moved beyond burying their dead in simple pits, it wasn't long before they developed a concept for containing the body. Early examples were made of wood or ceramic, but during the Old Kingdom (around 2613-2160 BC), the idea of using hard stone containers, called sarcophagi, emerged. This example is crafted from granite, one of the hardest stones available to Egyptians, and becomes common in the Fourth Dynasty (around 2613-2494 BC) onwards. The exterior of this sarcophagus features a type of paneling known as 'palace façade', which was inspired by the mud-brick facades of early Egyptian palaces. Small false doors are placed at each end of the long sides, allowing spirits to access and exit the body inside. The top is rounded, with remnants of protrusions on the ends that facilitate lifting the lid. This sarcophagus first gained attention in the early 1840s when German Egyptologist Karl Richard Lepsius (1810-84) stated it originated from a shaft in his tomb number 28 at Giza, though its exact location remains unclear. It then disappeared into private hands until resurfacing in 1990, when it was acquired by the British Museum. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory that aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.