Coffin of Horankh, Egyptian, 25th Dynasty, c. 700 BCE. Ancient Egyptian coffins were designed to house both the body and the ka (vital force) during the journey to the afterlife. Their decorations—inside and out—ensured the deceased’s survival, depicting offerings of food and drink, servants, protective spells, and symbolic motifs such as a pair of eyes to view the rising sun. Anthropoid coffins, introduced in the 12th Dynasty (1985–1795 BCE), replicated the form of a 𝘮𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 human 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 and could serve as substitutes for the corpse if the remains were lost or destroyed.

Ancient Egyptian coffins contained both an individual’s physical remains and their ka—the vital force or soul—during the journey to the afterlife. The decorations on the interior and exterior of these coffins were designed to ensure the deceased’s survival. Such decorations often included depictions of food and drink, servants, a pair of eyes to watch the rising sun, spells, and other items reflecting religious beliefs and social practices.

Anthropoid coffins, introduced during the 12th Dynasty (1985–1795 BC), mimicked the human body wrapped in a linen shroud and could serve as substitutes if the actual remains were lost or destroyed. The Dallas coffin, for example, was made for Horankh, as indicated by his name inscribed on its base. While the sculpted head is rendered in a naturalistic style, certain features—the green face and the plaited, upturned beard—are symbolic. These attributes link Horankh to Osiris, Lord of the Underworld and god of resurrection. His devotion to Osiris is further emphasized by an inscription invoking the deity at the base of the coffin.

Horankh lived during the 25th Dynasty (747–656 BC), also known as the Kushite or Nubian Dynasty. Nubia, located along the Nile between Aswan in southern Egypt and Khartoum in northern Sudan, was home to powerful independent kingdoms from around 3100 BC. The Nubians often competed with Egypt for control of the Nile as a commercial route and for land. Although Egypt dominated Nubia at times, the Nubians took advantage of a divided Egypt in 747 BC, ruling the country for a century.

This outer coffin, relatively plain in its decoration, echoes the style of Middle Kingdom coffins (2055–1650 BC) and demonstrates how the Nubians drew inspiration from the classical models of earlier Egyptian dynasties.