“Soul Houses”

These clay 𓊪𓈖𓋴𓈇 model houses 𓉐𓏥 are called “Soul Houses” and they were given this name by Flinders Petrie due to them being found at the entrance to or very close to tombs 𓇋𓐫𓊃𓉐𓏦 or burials. 

These Soul 𓂓 Houses 𓉐𓏥 are usually found in or near Middle Kingdom burials. These clay 𓊪𓈖𓋴𓈇 models ensured that the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 had access to shelter and food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔𓏥 in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. They are thought to take the place of offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅡𓄿𓋃𓏪 – since offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅡𓄿𓋃𓏪 were usually for the wealthy, the Soul House 𓉐𓏤 was a more affordable option. 

I have always been a person who likes tiny 𓈖𓆓𓋴𓅩 things, and the Soul Houses are no exception! I used to call them “Egyptian Dollhouses” when I was a kid, which is why I liked them so much despite their rough appearance. I am not going to lie, I still refer to them as dollhouses!!