A Life and Death with Stars: Astronomical Tables in Ancient Egyptian Coffins

The Toronto Chapter of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities (SSEA) is hosting a public lecture "A Life and Death with Stars: Astronomical Tables in Ancient Egyptian Coffins" on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 7 pm.

ABSTRACT
In Egypt around 2000 BCE, some rectangular wooden coffins commissioned by wealthy residents of Middle Egypt began to include a new type of decoration. The underside of the lid contained an ordered series of star names, arranged by date throughout the year, depicting a complete explanation of the movement of key stars across the night sky. These tables collectively form a very early body of astronomical literature, apparently based on a detailed understanding of the daily and annual motion of stars. This talk traces the discovery and description of the coffins and attempts to interpret their meaning and use within the context of Egyptian funerary practices and beliefs.

* See the event poster: SSEA-symons-poster.pdf