Foot board from a mummy case showing the Apis Bull. Third Intermediate Period 1069-747 BC.The sacred Apis bull was a herald of the god Ptah. Apis bulls can be recognised by their markings-black with a white patch on their foreheads and back. The Apis bull lived in luxury. It was given servants. When an Apis bull died there was national mourning and the ambalmed body was taken from Memphis to Saqqara for burial in a granite sarcophagus.
Wooden plaque with black bull (Apis bull). 31cm wide. This is a floorboard from a coffin. It is painted red on black and shows the Apis bull. It probably comes from Thebes and dates to the Third Intermediate Period. Bonnet (RAeRG p. 49) states that the Apis scene originated in 'the Running of the Apis ritual', in which offerings were seen as emanations of the god, and hence were called "body parts of the god". This was connected with Osiris and his body parts so that the Apis became a carrier of the deceased.
