Flint knife, Egypt, 1000-401 BCE

Made:
1000-401 BCE in Egypt
Flint knife blade Flint knife blade

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Flint knife blade
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Flint knife blade
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Flint knife blade, for opening the abdomen of the dead for evisceration prior to mummification, Egyptian, 1000-401BC

Part of the process of mummification is the removal of all of the internal organs from the body apart from the heart, which was seen as the seat of the mind and emotions. Flint knives were used to make the first incision into the abdomen.

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A634909
Materials:
incomplete and flint
Measurements:
overall: 12 mm x 205 mm x 60 mm, .13kg
overall (lying flat): 11 mm x 198 mm x 57 mm, .134 kg
type:
knife
credit:
Sotheby's