Sarcophagus of Imhotep

By Jacqueline Engel

Imhotep was adviser to King Djoser in the third dynasty and he is credited with the design of the Step Pyramid in Saqqara, the earliest pyramid in Egypt.

For this and other achievements of wisdom and learning attributed to him, in later periods he became one of the only historical non-royal people to be divinized and to have a dedicated cult, which was particularly strong in the Memphite region.

Imhotep’s sarcophagus is an outstanding example of Egyptian craftsmanship.

The polished dark stone is finely carved, showing the deceased wearing a wig and divine beard.

The beard declares that Imhotep has entered the hereafter and has become assimilated with the god Osiris.

His tripartite wig, of a type worn by deities, reinforces his status as a divine being.

Ptolemaic period, 304-31 BC.

Upper Egypt.

Basalt

Egyptian Museum Cairo

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