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Material : Gold
Width : 16 . 6 Height : 9 . 9
Found in : Tanis , Tomb of Psusennes I (1940)
Period : Third Intermediate Period
Reign of : Psusennes I
Dynasty: XXI
Belonged_to: Psusennes I
Archeologist : Pierre Montet
This stunning plaque was found by Pierre Montet in 1940 in the Tomb of Psusennes I in sepulcher of Psusennes I in Tanis . King Psusennes I was the third king of the Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt who ruled between 1047 – 1001 BC . Measuring 16 . 6 cm in width and 9 . 9 cm in height , the gold piece was identified to date back to the Twenty-first Dynasty (994-985 BC) . After all the steps of mummification were performed to the dead bodies and the mummy was wrapped with bandages , a plaque was placed on the cut that was made in the lower part of the stomach to remove the internal organs from the body with the liver , lungs , intestines , and stomach . The purpose of the plaque was to provide strength to the body to be protected at this vulnerable point .
The plaque has a small engraved molding with four holes in the corners to fix it to the bandages of the mummy . Carved on the plaque is a very significant scene that provides deep conceptions and ushers to various complex beliefs from the ancient Egyptian mythology . It presents the Four Sons of Horus - Imset (Amset) , Hapi , Duamutuef (Duamutef) , and Qebehsenuef (Qebehsenuf) – wearing pleated skirts and the 'nemes' (Pharaonic headdress) on their heads attached with royal uraeus cobras . These figures are shown posing with the Wedjat Eye (also the Udjat , Wadjet , or the Eye of Horus) in the center . This eye was a symbol of protection against evil that provides a powerful healing power . Carved on the eye is an inscription that says: "To the Osiris King Psusennes meryamun . "
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