A mummified hand from Egypt that is around 3,500 years old dates back to the New Kingdom period (circa 1500 BCE).

A mummified hand from Egypt that is around 3,500 years old dates back to the New Kingdom period (circa 1500 BCE).

During this time, the art of mummification had reached a sophisticated level, aiming to preserve the body for the afterlife. Mummification was central to ancient Egyptian beliefs, ensuring that the deceased’s soul, or ka, could recognize and return to its body.

Mummified body parts, including hands, were often discovered in tombs, carefully wrapped in linen, and sometimes adorned with amulets for protection.

This hand would have been part of the larger practice of preserving entire bodies for eternity, reflecting the Egyptians’ deep belief in the afterlife.