Amulet: Heart (ib)
Location
Era
Pharaonic Period (3100-323 B.C.E.)
Title
Amulet: Heart (ib)
Date
3100-323 B.C.E.
Materials
Porphyry
Dimensions
7.5 x 5.8 x 3.1 cm
Credits
Gift of Paule Regnault, inv. 2003.217
Collection
Archeology and World Cultures
The ancient Egyptians believed that the heart was the seat of the intellect, soul and emotions. Upon death, the heart was placed on a scale; it had to be lighter than the feather of justice, Maat, for the deceased person to be allowed to enter the afterlife. If the heart was heavier than the feather, it was eaten by Ammut, the Devourer.
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