Embalmer knife of Minmesout
This bronze knife features a handle shaped like a papyrus plant, with a figure of Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god of mummification, seated atop it. The blade bears the name of the embalmer, Minmesout, inscribed in hieroglyphs.
Such knives were essential tools in the mummification process, used by embalmers to perform the intricate procedures required to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. The depiction of Anubis on the handle underscores the religious significance of the embalming process in ancient Egyptian culture.
This artifact was discovered during the Franco-Tuscan mission led by Jean-François Champollion in 1828-1829 in Kurna, Thebes. The knife was acquired by the Louvre in 1834 after its discovery, and it remains a key piece of the museum’s Egyptian collection.
The knife is made of bronze, a material commonly used during the New Kingdom for tools and weaponry. The handle is shaped like a papyrus stalk, a symbol of Upper Egypt. Atop the handle sits a figure of Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife.
The blade of the knife bears an inscription of the name of the embalmer, Minmesout. This marks the knife as a personal tool, linking it directly to the individual who used it in the mummification process.
The papyrus plant was not just a practical material (used for making paper in ancient Egypt) but also a powerful symbol in Egyptian culture. It represented Upper Egypt and was often associated with life and renewal, which ties back to the concept of mummification and rebirth.
Anubis is often depicted with the head of a jackal, and his presence on the handle signifies the religious significance of the knife and the embalming process itself.
Anubis was one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian religion. He was considered the protector of graves and the guide to the afterlife. He played a key role in the mummification process, overseeing the ritual and ensuring that the deceased were properly prepared for their journey to the afterlife. The knife’s association with Anubis highlights this spiritual connection.
The embalmer’s knife was an essential tool used during the mummification process, particularly in the step of evisceration, where internal organs were removed to prevent decay. The embalmer would carefully cut open the body with such knives to extract the organs and prepare them for preservation, a critical step in ensuring the deceased’s safe passage into the afterlife.
New Kingdom, Ramesside Period, ca. 1292-1070 BC. Now in the Louvre. N 2116
