Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In ancient Egypt, you
could
take it with you. The Egyptians believed that after death,
your soul lived on, enjoying its earthly possessions—sometimes including servants, who
might be walled up alive with their dead master. (Remember that even the great pyramids
were just big tombs for Egypt's most powerful.)
Statues functioned as a refuge for the soul on its journey after death. The rich scattered
statues of themselves everywhere, just in case. Statues needed to be simple and easy to
recognize, mug shots for eternity: stiff, arms down, chin up, nothing fancy. This one has
all the essential features, like the simplified human figures on international traffic signs.
To a soul caught in the fast lane of astral travel, this symbolic statue would be easier to
spot than a detailed one.
With their fervent hope for life after death, Egyptians created calm, dignified art that
seems built for eternity.
• Relax. One civilization down, two to go. Near the end of the gallery are two huge, winged
Assyrian lions (with bearded human heads) standing guard over the Assyrian exhibit halls.
