Reserve head

Artefact Details

Gallery number: 31 – Ground Floor

Period: Old Kingdom

Dynasty: 4th Dynasty (2543-2436 BC)

Size: 25 cm

Place of discovery: Giza

Material: Limestone

The so-called “Reserve heads” (about thirty are known) have been found in the sarcophagus chambers of the mastabas belonging to high dignitaries at the time of the Fourth Dynasty. The function of these enigmatic sculptures made on limestone and subsequently modeled with plaster but without elements of social identification is still not clear and in this regard, there are several theories: representations of the tomb-owner, alternate home for the spirit of the deceased, magical purposes but there are no proofs.