Human world
Height: 95cm
Stela of two brothers, Hetep and Khnumu. They can be seen standing either side of their grandfather. The fine detail of the sunk relief on this granite stela would have been carved using a flint stone tool.
Stelae (plural of stela) 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 offering table 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.
Gift of Joseph Mayer, 1867 (formerly in the collection of Joseph Sams).