The Egyptian Museum in San Jose has some fascinating and thought provoking displays. In one part of the museum, there are ancient, tiny phials for collecting tears of the bereaved. The explanation read that when the container was full, it was put in the tomb with the body.
In another area is the mummified body of a four year old girl. Her coffin has elaborate decorations, including some gilding. The striking image of her face is marred by what look like smears of dirt or earth across the forehead and one cheek. This is in sharp contrast to the gold leaf underneath. The text explains that this 'dirt' is the remnants of perfumed oils the parents would have poured over the coffin at the child's funeral.
This physical link to the last act of love from distraught parents made the grief almost palpable. Quite incredible given she died some two thousand years ago.
Not only had the mummified remains found a form of immortality, so had their love.
In another area is the mummified body of a four year old girl. Her coffin has elaborate decorations, including some gilding. The striking image of her face is marred by what look like smears of dirt or earth across the forehead and one cheek. This is in sharp contrast to the gold leaf underneath. The text explains that this 'dirt' is the remnants of perfumed oils the parents would have poured over the coffin at the child's funeral.
This physical link to the last act of love from distraught parents made the grief almost palpable. Quite incredible given she died some two thousand years ago.
Not only had the mummified remains found a form of immortality, so had their love.
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