Sarcophagus ProjectDue: Friday January 11, 2019

Project GoalTo understand the function of the sarcophagus in ancient Egypt by creating a personal sarcophagus representing oneself and one’s interests.

Students will plan and construct the sarcophagus, explain its designs in writing, and present their finished project to the class.

Project Materials & Directions

○ 1 shoebox- must be gold (painted, colored, covered in paper)

○ sequins or jewels○ play dough/clay/craft

materials/beads/sticks/pipe cleaners○ white medical gauze or white crepe paper○ 5 different items for the afterlife

■ The items must be appropriate to the Ancient Egyptian time period - NO Pokemon cards, Stars Wars Legos, etc.

■ Afterlife items MUST BE STUDENT CREATED (make jewelry with beads, make food items out of clay/playdough)

Directions:

○ Paint/cover a shoebox gold (optional)

○ Decorate the outside of the Sarcophagus with sequins and jewels.

○ Create a mummy using play dough or clay and wrap it in white gauze or toilet paper.

○ Create five Ancient Egyptian afterlife items using craft supplies.

Place the mummy and items for the afterlife inside the Sarcophagus.

Sarcophagi Facts

Historical Usage:

● Most important object of the royal tombs in the Early Dynasty

● Used to protect bodies from mutilation and deterioration

Sarcophagi Facts

Display:

● Not meant for the public● Earliest sarcophagi were rectangular● Coffin texts inscribed on Middle Kingdom

sarcophagi● Human-shaped sarcophagus used during New

Kingdom era○ verses from the Book of the Dead were inside

● Paintings on outside of sarcophagus showed significant moments of the deceased person’s life

Coffin texts

● Spells, incantation, and religious texts in hieroglyphics

● Used to help the dead journey to the afterlife● Refer to gods like Ra, Thoth, and Tefnut● Refer about the Osiris myth● Inspired and replaced the Pyramid Texts (Old

Kingdom)● Inspired and replaced by The Book of the Dead

(New Kingdom)

Planning Your Sarcophagus Display● Family—parents or guardians, siblings, pets, and extended family● Friendships—close friends from one’s past and present; clubs or

social groups● Hobbies and Activities—past times that are especially enjoyable and

meaningful● Talents and Abilities—special skills; academic, creative, athletic, or

other pursuits● Daily Life—home, school, neighborhood● Special Occasions—holidays, vacations, noteworthy events● Changes—images from early childhood and elementary/middle

school; milestones● Future Dreams—hopes for the future (work, family, travel, and so on)

The Project:● Your shoebox should be decorated with a photograph or drawing of

yourself.● You can decorate your shoebox sarcophagus with:

○ personal/family photographs○ symbols (for example, a simple tree drawing to represent a love

of the outdoors or a running stick figure to represent athletic interests)

○ images from magazines or the Internet○ written items such as cards, notes, awards, or certificates○ small objects or trinkets that have sentimental value

Websites to Look At

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

Canadian Museum of Civilization: Mysteries of Egypt