The burial of the dead in the pottery of ancient Egypt

The custom of burying the dead in the pottery of ancient Egypt symbolizes rebirth in the afterlife.

Many countries in the world in ancient times, including Egypt, buried their loved ones' dead bodies in ceramic pots or urns , according to Ancient Origins. Previously, scientists believe that the burial in pottery is mainly used for poor people, especially children, but a new study published in Antiquity magazine in December 2016 shows that the above statement is incorrect.

The ancient Egyptians buried their dead bodies in ceramic pots.(Photo: Ancient Origin).

Ronika Power, a biochemist, and Yann Tristant, an Egyptologist, at Macquarie University, Australia, looked at grave tombs at 46 archaeological sites near the Nile. They date from 3300 BC to 1650 BC. Ceramic pots are carefully broken or cut to fit the dead body.

The results show that more than half of archaeological sites contain the remains of adults. Children 's remains are not as common as previously thought. Of the 476 remains of children, babies and fetuses, 338 were buried in wooden caskets and 329 were buried in ceramic pots. The majority of the remaining children are in baskets or containers made of reeds or limestone.

Scientists also find evidence of wealth in many graves. Some ceramic pots contain remains of gold, jewelry, ivory, beads made from ostrich egg shells and clothes.

The research team said that the ancient Egyptians deliberately selected pottery to bury relatives because it symbolizes the mother's womb, bearing a symbolic image of rebirth in the afterlife.