The coffin of Khnum-nakht was home to one of the two men who were respected and had high societal ranking. Some of the hieroglyphics written all over the tomb told their stories and stated both men were “the son of a woman named khnum-aa.” Many experts believed that there was no possible way the two men could be related or even be of the same race due to their skulls being structured differently and having very different anatomy.
Some researchers tried to take samples of their skin and results showed that they were not related as well. Later on specialists did another genetic test and found out that Khnum-Nakht and Nakht-Ankh were indeed related, but half brothers. The hieroglyphs were correct in them being related. In this funerary artwork, there are eyes drawn towards the right end of the coffin. The two eyes are commonly drawn on many funerary art and represent rebirth. This was thought to be a way the deceased could look out through the eyes and see the land of the living.
Usually the head of the deceased was laid right by the panel to look through the eyes in the afterlife. The Horus eyes were used like an amulet that would protect the deceased into the afterlife. The eyes were drawn on the coffin to protect the deceased mummy from evil spirits. Underneath the eyes is a picture of walls and a doorway drawn. The doorway was a symbolism for the dead to crossover. The false doorway was “an imaginary passage between the world of the living and the world of the dead.” The door acts like a gateway to the crossover to the world of living to accept offerings from visitors that leave gifts and such in their tombs.
The false door is very important and is commonly used on every coffin and can be seen in royal tombs and common tombs. There was usually a table for food or any type of offering for the dead to pass through the false door and collect. On the side of the coffin a drawing of a pharaoh named Isis who is dressed in white is shown. What is interesting about this is that typically, Isis is usually drawn at the foot section or end of the coffin, while Nephtys is drawn at the head section of the mummy. The coffin of Khnum-Nakht does not follow the common tradition and draws Isis and Nephthys at opposite ends. So, the coffin does not really follow the rules of of decoration and it could be intentional.
Experts aren’t sure as to why they were drawn in opposite sides and could be a symbolic meaning behind their decision. It is also not likely that this was a mistake because of such intricate detail and with thousands of coffins made before, it’s weird that the would make a big mistake like that.
