sarcophagus funeral receptacle corpse carved cut stone mummy tomb marble pharaoh ancient Egyptian elaborate burial customs
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Contributor:
SOTK2011 / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
C7XX77File size:
33.5 MB (2 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3919 x 2990 px | 33.2 x 25.3 cm | 13.1 x 10 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
2011More information:
The ancient Egyptians had an elaborate set of burial customs that they believed were necessary to ensure their immortality after death. These rituals and protocols included mummification, casting of magic spells, and burial with specific grave goods thought to be needed in the afterlife. The burial process used by the ancient Egyptians evolved throughout time as old customs were discarded and new ones adopted, but several important elements of the process persisted. Although specific details changed over time, the preparation of the body, the magic rituals involved, and the grave goods provided were all essential parts of a proper Egyptian funeral. A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos (λιθος σαρκοφάγος). Since lithos is Greek for stone, lithos sarcophagos means 'flesh eating stone'. The word came to refer to a particular kind of limestone that was thought to decompose the flesh of corpses interred within it.