Letβs take a look at the coffin π΄π ±πππ± of a man named ππ Wah, who lived during the early reign πΎ of the pharaoh ππ» Amenemhat I ππ ππ ππ(12th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom).
In the first picture ππ ±π you can see a dedication to Osiris πΉπ¨π in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ, which is better known as the βOffering Formula.β If you want to learn one πΊ phrase in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ, learn this one!!! It is everywhere!!Β
![](https://i0.wp.com/ancientegyptblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/D07242A9-3194-42C4-AD5F-3F9A4D05159E-819x1024.jpg?resize=580%2C725&ssl=1)
Here is the full inscription πππ₯: πππ΅ππΉπ¨ππ½π§π ±π. Letβs break down the offering formula because we havenβt done so in a while. Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
πππ΅π – An Offering the King Gives
πΉπ¨π – Osiris (his name is missing the determinative this time – usually itβs written as πΉπ¨π)
π – Lord
π½π§π – Djedu (usually written as π½π§π ±π)
So all together ππ, this inscription πππ₯ reads: βAn Offering the King gives Osiris, Lord of Djedu.β Djedu π½π§π ±π refers to the birthplace of Osiris πΉπ¨π.
The eyes πΉππ¦ on this side of the coffin π΄π ±πππ± would allow the mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ to see outside of it! Inside the coffin π΄π ±πππ±, the mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ would usually be laid on his side so his eyes πΉππ¦ matched up with the eyes on the coffin π΄π ±πππ±! This was very typical of Middle Kingdom burial practices πππ΄πππ, and it was something my Nonno would always point out to me when we were in a museum!
As a kidΒ πππΒ (and even now as an adult) I found this practice absolutely fascinating! Now every time I am in a museum, I tell the story to someone about the eyes ππΉπ ±πΎ of the mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ, just like my Nonno told me!
![](https://i0.wp.com/ancientegyptblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/9AF8F161-1D83-42D4-8D65-F3FB407036C9-819x1024.jpg?resize=580%2C725&ssl=1)