Human world
Length 219cm
This is the outer coffin (or sarcophagus) of a man called Pedeamun. He was the sailor of the bark (boat) of Amun, chief navigator of the bark of Amun, son of Thatienwenzu and Tadetanebthenen.
The central scene shows the weighing of the heart of the deceased before Osiris, the god of the underworld. This ceremony, it was believed, determined whether the person had led a good life or not. On the shoulders of the coffin are unusual images of the hippocampus (seahorse). These may relate to Pedeamun's job as a sailor.
The coffin and mummy were seen in Thebes in 1826 and brought to England. In 1851 the coffin was opened and the mummy unwrapped. Such mummy-opening events were great social occasions in the 19th century. This one was reported in the local press and the audience were afterwards entertained by the Cirencester Band and given refreshments.