ushabti

Ushabti are funerary figurines found in ancient Egypt. These figures were placed in tombs to act as servants for the deceased in the afterlife. The name "ushabti" is derived from the Egyptian word for "answer" or "respond," reflecting their perceived role of answering the call to labor on behalf of the owner. Ancient Egyptians believed that in the afterlife, individuals would be called upon to perform manual tasks, such as farming in the fields of Osiris. The ushabti were intended to magically perform these duties, thus relieving the deceased of such labor.

These figurines typically depicted the deceased in mummified form, often holding agricultural tools like hoes and pickaxes, and sometimes a seed basket. They could be made from various materials, including faience, wood, stone, or clay. The number of ushabti found in a tomb varied. Wealthier individuals might have hundreds, sometimes one for each day of the year, plus overseers. Inscriptions, often in hieroglyphs, were commonly found on ushabti. These inscriptions typically included a spell from the Book of the Dead, specifically Chapter Six, which magically animated the ushabti and instructed it to work. The presence and quality of ushabti are considered indicators of the wealth and status of the tomb's occupant.