Ancient Egyptian Coffins and Carpenters: A Case Study from Saqqara

The Toronto Chapter of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities (SSEA) is hosting a public lecture "Ancient Egyptian Coffins and Carpenters:A Case Study from Saqqara" on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 7 pm.

ABSTRACT
Ancient Egyptian coffins are potent, magical objects, used to help protect the human remains of their owners, and to help transport their souls to the afterlife. While the decoration and inscriptions of these artifacts have long been of interest to Egyptologists and the public, the study of their materiality is quickly becoming a considerable topic of discussion as well. Examining the wooden remnants of coffins, in particular, can provide insight into the lives and practices of ancient Egyptian craftspeople, a section of society often overlooked by historical sources. In this presentation, we will explore a case study from a recent excavation at Saqqara. We will see what the study of wood and coffins can help us understand about the ancient human past, including the evidence for the ancient technical and religious knowledge of carpenters hidden in the joints of wooden coffins.

* See the event poster: SSEA Arbuckle MacLeod Poster.pdf