A new look at ancient Egyptian funerary textiles

Ancient Egyptians were renowned textile manufacturers and users as evident in art and funerary contexts, where volumes of linen has survived to this date due to the dry and hot climate of the region. In that context, linen was used predominantly, but not exclusively, in the process of mummification and body preparation for burial. At Saqqara, the inhumations from the late Old Kingdom/First Intermediate Period and Graeco-Roman Period contain linen textiles for a variety of uses; from the recognisable mummy wrappings, shrouds and coffin linings to more discrete items such as internal body fillers, plugs and padding that were used to restore the body’s life-like appearance. The varying qualities and quantities of the linen used in individual burials can serve as an indicator of personal or family wealth and social standing of the deceased. The best linen – fine, lightweight, and almost transparent – was reserved for the élite. Studying these textiles helps us understand traditions in body preparation and funerary rites across different time periods.

In her latest paper, Iwona presents a bioarchaeologist’s perspective on working with funerary textiles, which all  have to be recorded and documented before her work on human remains can begin. Using case studies from Saqqara, she advocates for a greater focus on how linen was used, its preservation, and its role in understanding ancient Egyptian culture. Her publication is part of an edited volume on funerary textiles, which features a Saqqara mummy with its intricate wrappings on its front cover.