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 embalmed body was taken from Memphis to Saqqara for burial in a granite sarcophagus.

Wooden coffin footboard with black bull. Painted red on black with hieroglyphs. The inscription reads 'Osiris Apis'. Apis bulls appear on coffins from the 22nd Dynasty. This dates from the Third Intermediate Period to the Late 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.

Collection

Egypt Centre, University of Swansea

Inventory Number

3543691

Title

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 embalmed body was taken from Memphis to Saqqara for burial in a granite sarcophagus.

Object Type

Image

Measurements

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