Egyptian Section
From the cortile della Rocchetta visitors go down to basement level to see thePrehistoric and Protohistoric sections (covering the period from the Paleolithic era to Romanization) and the Egyptian sector. The latter is one of the most interesting in the context of Italian Egyptian collections both for the notable value of the archaeological finds from a didactic, research and specialization point of view and because of its formation during the final phase of antiquarian collecting. The very significant material on display testifies to how funerary rites and customs were carried out and how daily life was lived in ancient Egypt. The "Libro dei morti" (the Book of the dead) or "Libro per uscire al giorno" compiled for Hornefer, a papyrus about six metres long where, written in hieratic characters (one of the three scripts in use in ancient Egypt, together with demotic and hieroglyphic writing), formulas which were pronounced during the funeral to facilitate the journey of the dead are documented. Well preserved sarcophagi in painted wood among which, that of Peftiauauyset containing his mummy coming from Thebes dated VIIth century B.C. (XXVI dynasty). The sarcophagus, a coffin made from maple wood and the anthropomorphic sarcophagus are decorated with figures of divinities and hieroglyphic inscriptions with invocations of the hours of day and night. The "ushabti" or little statues placed on the tomb to help the dead person carry out agricultural work in the next world are numerous. The divinities are represented by small bronzes and amongst these are little statues of the goddess Bastet portrayed as a cat, and wise Imhotep the builder of the first pyramid who was considered a divinity after his death. There are fine works of art from the sculpture laboratories of the Ptolemaic age: limestone figures depicting the faces of a woman, a youth and a sovereign. Among the material found during excavations directed by Achille Vogliano in the area of Medinet Madi in Fayum is the statue in white limestone of Pharaoh Amenemhat (XIIth dynasty, 1842-1797 B.C.). The latter was famous for improvements and land reclamation and contributing to the development of the region. The portrait of a prince, the head of a sphinx from Ptolemaic times and many other limestone sculptures were among the finds. From Vogliano's excavations at Tebtynis objects from daily life in Roman times: combs, toys, spindles and keys can be seen on display.
