Open AccessExploring the contextual and symbolic relationships between mummies and texts in Old Kingdom pyramids
Author(s) -
Aloisia De Trafford
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
journal of biological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.218
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 2284-0230
pISSN - 1826-8838
DOI - 10.4081/jbr.2005.10179
Subject(s) - relation (database) , pyramid (geometry) , the symbolic , history , art , literature , computer science , psychology , mathematics , psychoanalysis , geometry , database
This paper focuses on the mummies and ritual texts within the pyramid chambers of Unis, last king of the 5th Dynasty, and his successors Teti, Pepi I, Merenre and Pepi II, in the Sixth Dynasty. All 5 pyramids share a similar internal layout and sarcophagus positioning, and have their walls covered with vertical columns of ritual texts (Pyramid Texts). The analysis looks at the contextual, spatial and symbolic relationship between the mummies and the texts by looking at and comparing: 1. The mummified remains. 2. The contextual positioning of the texts in relation to the mummy. 3. The textual references to mummification, body parts and related symbolism. The analysis concludes with a number of observations which may further our understanding of mummification rituals and techniques and which highlight the particular role of the text in relation to the royal mummy.