AncientPages.com - During restoration work being carried out on the eastern side of the King Djoser Step Pyramid in Saqqara, archaeologists discovered a statuette of Osiris, reports Ahram Online.
According to head of the Saqqara archaeological site, Sabri Farag, the statuette was discovered in a small crevasse between the huge blocks of the pyramid's eastern side.
the hole where the statuette was found. Image credit: Nevine El-Aref/Ahram Online
The statuette depicts Osiris, the god of resurrection and eternity, with the double crown, holding a feather in one hand and a sceptre in the other.
As Farag explained, "the statue was probably concealed in this area by a priest of Saqqara in antiquity." He also added that the statuette will be restored.
Osiris: bronze figurine of the Late Period; Egyptian Museum, Berlin/Staatliche Museen Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin. Right: Horembeb before Osiris.10th Dynasty , Tomb of Horembeb, Valley of the Kings, western Thebes
Osiris was one of the most important deities in ancient Egypt. Osiris was a god of resurrection, fertility and the most ancient religious texts often refer to Osiris as being also the god of the dead.
See also:
Osiris: Enigmatic And Powerful God In Ancient Egypt
Both his exact origin and the meaning of his name remain enigmatic. Also direct association of Osiris with agriculture and fertility is believed to have occurred later.
In comparison to the gods of Hermopolis and Heliopolis, Osiris was only a minor god from Middle Egypt. Osiris gained his awesome popularity when he became the King of the Afterlife.
Osiris is usually depicted as a mummified, green skinned human with a beard.
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