Bronze knife, Egypt, 2000-100 BCE

Made:
2000-100 BCE in Egypt
Bronze knife, Egypt, 2000-100 BCE (knife) Bronze knife, Egypt, 2000-100 BCE (knife)

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Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Knife, bronze, hooked blade, probably used for cutting internal attachments of internal organs in evisceration prior to embalming, Egyptian, 2000-100BC

For the ancient Egyptians, part of the process of mummification was the removal of all of the internal organs from the body - apart from the heart, which was seen as the seat of the mind and emotions. This knife would likely have been used to cut the organs from the body prior to embalming.

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A634904
Materials:
bronze
Measurements:
overall: 2 mm x 160 mm x 24 mm, .032 kg
type:
knife
credit:
Sotheby's