Pinchres

Pinchres are a type of ancient Egyptian funerary object that served as a substitute for the more traditional practice of scarification. Scarification involved cutting the skin to create small wounds that were believed to be healed by deities during the afterlife.

Pinchres, on the other hand, were artificial wounds created by applying small amounts of flesh-colored resin to the skin and using thread to create a surgical incision effect. These pinched incisions were designed to resemble natural wounds caused by the agonizing pain and suffering of the deceased during their lifetime.

Pinchres typically depicted various motifs and symbols associated with the mythological and ritualistic aspects of ancient Egyptian funerary practices. Examples of such motifs include the Eye of Horus, which symbolized royal power and protection, and the ankh symbol, which represented eternal life.

The significance of pinchres lay not only in their aesthetic appeal but also in their spiritual and mystical connotations. By reproducing the physical suffering of the deceased, pinchres served as a metaphor for the deceased individual's endurance and strength during their mortal existence.

The occurrence of pinchres is mostly documented from the early Dynastic Period up to the Late Period of Egyptian history, although their popularity and usage might have peaked during the intermediate Middle Kingdom Period. The extensive span of time over which pinchres existed suggests the widespread practice of these self-inflicted wounds as a funerary tradition. The careful preservation of countless mummies, along with the distribution of pinched incisions across different dynasties, offers valuable insights into the culture of ancient Egypt and the diffusion of practices and symbols across the Mediterranean region.