Egyptian Funeral Boat in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, December 2007

Funeral boat paddling (W)
Dynasty 12, early reign of Amenemhat I (ca. 1981-1975 BC)
Painted wood
Model chamber, tomb of Meketre (MMA 1101), western Thebes

Accession # 20.3.5

This boat is being paddled northward- downstream but against the prevailing wind- by 16 men whose varied size and arm positions create an impression of movement along the line. The boat has two rudders because the elaborate stern would not accommodate the single rudder that was common to ordinary boats of the time. The rudders are fixed to poles capped by falcon heads. A statue-like figure of Meketre sits under a baldachin (canopy). The presence of a large libation vase indicates that an offering ritual is being performed. Facing Meketre is one of his sons or an upper servant with arms crossed reverentially over his chest. The shape of the boat, the baldachin, and the vase testify to the funerary nature of the voyage. Quite possibly, we are seeing Meketre on a pilgrimage to Abydos, the sacred site of Osiris, the god of the underworld. Note that all figures on this boat have shaven heads.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.