Wooden Coffin of Kayt

The coffin was one of the most important burial goods, the purpose of which was to preserve and protect the body of the deceased. This rectangular, box-shaped wooden coffin – dated to the early Middle Kingdom – was produced for a lady called Kayt. Its interior remained completely blank, while the exterior side is decorated with a single band of hieroglyphic inscription running around the top of the box. On the left (east) side, at the head end and just below the horizontal ornamental text, two wedjat-eyes were painted which enabled the deceased – who lied on its left side in the coffin – to view the offerings as well as to see the rising sun in the eastern horizon. The coffin of Kayt was found in an intact tomb in the cemetery of Meir together with her husband, Ukhhotep in addition to grave goods of various kinds.