Anthropoid Inner Coffin of a Woman Named Ta-ir-kap (Lid) (ÄM_04_01)
Tairkaps inner coffin is a fine example of richly decorated coffins of the Late Period. As is typical for inner coffins, it represents the mummiform deceased standing on a socle like a statue. The pictures and inscriptions could be chosen and arranged in many different ways, but in short, the coffin may be called ‘typical’ for its time. Still, the choice of texts, especially on the inner sides of lid and case, is remarkable and deserves closer attention. All texts inside have been taken from the so-called Book of the Dead. On the head, an extract from spell 99 evokes air for breathing which explains its position. All other inscriptions strictly follow the sequence of spells as found on Book of the Dead papyri from the 26th dynasty onwards, here spells 43–49 (lid) and 50–54 (case). The sequence shows that lid and case were not seen as separate objects once the coffin was closed.
Burkhard Backes, Tairkap und Pestjenfi, Zwei Bestattungsensembles der Spätzeit im Berliner Ägyptischen Museum (ÄM 3-6 und 50-54) (Studien zu altägyptischen Totentexten 22) Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 2024, 463 S., ISBN 978-3-447-12083-8