4,000-Year-Old Handprint Found on Ancient Egyptian Artifact

• A handprint dating back 4,000 years has been discovered on an ancient Egyptian artifact.
• The model of the funerary building was intended for burial.
• The exhibition will showcase the masters of ancient Egyptian crafts.

At the exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, a 4,000-year-old handprint was discovered on a model of a clay building that was used in Egyptian burials.

This print, found on the "funerary model," dates back to the period from 2055 to 1650 BC. According to the words of senior Egyptologist at the museum Helen Stradwick, this is a "rare and fascinating" find.

Funerary models were used as a pedestal for the victims of the afterlife or any place where the soul of the deceased could live in the afterlife.

The model has an open space in front, where the victims were placed, such as bread, salad, and a head of lettuce. After the clay was processed, it was dried before firing.

Research has shown that the master initially created a carcass from wooden sticks, and then covered it with clay. After firing, the wood burned away, leaving the original shape.

This print likely remained from the potter, who transferred the model for firing.

This artifact will be presented at the exhibition "Made in Ancient Egypt," which opens for visitors on January 3.

Tags: Middle East/Research