Head rest

"Your head will not be taken away from you." So says Chapter 166 of the Book of the Dead. That is why the Ancient Egyptians placed a headrest under the head of the mummy to protect it from harm. This is a simple headrest made of sycamore, the local Egyptian wood. It has two rectangular bases and a crescent-shaped neck support. The circular upper section was placed under the skull, just above the ear, and the column raised the head to the correct height. It differs from other headrests because of the two kneeling deities, who gracefully hold the curved neck support with their hands. In spite of the absence of any inscription, it is probable that the two deities are Isis and her sister Nephthys. These two goddesses played an important role in the funerary rituals according to Egyptian beliefs. Headrests are known from earliest times and were used by the living and as part of the burial equipment. The deceased was regarded as a sleeper, and raising the mummy's head was linked to resurrection. The headrest also protected the deceased from losing his head in the afterlife.