Mummy of Hornedjitef (2000000-9000 BCE)

This is the mummy of an Egyptian priest who was buried in an ornate coffin. Examining his body using CAT scans and X-rays showed that he was a mature man when he died. This coffin was made from wood and was 194 centimeters tall. When ancient Egyptians died they believed they were going on a journey from Earth to the afterlife. The process of mummification and elaborate coffins allowed them to move on to the next world. This coffin is decorated with images of gods and extracts from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. The sky goddess Nut is painted symbolically showing Hornedjitef in her womb ready to experience rebirth.