Human world
Height: 95cm
Stelae or commemorative stones were a very important part of the tomb equipment. They could be made of stone or wood and were inscribed with the name and titles of the tomb owner. The owner was usually shown either seated before an offering table piled high with food and drink, or making an offering to the gods. There may also be a written offering list. This would usually include bread, beer, oxen, fowl, alabaster and clothes.
Stelae were usually set up in the walls of the tomb or at the mouth of the shaft, in a place accessible to the living. An altar in front would receive the offerings left by family members or priests. Some were erected in households shrines or were dedicated in temples. These may show figures of gods with rows of ears behind them in the hope that they may hear the prayers.
This granite stela, carved in sunken relief, is for Khnumu. He is shown with two other members of his family.