Takenoshita: Social functions of false doors

Takenoshita, Junko (2011)

When the living met the dead: the social functions of false doors in non-royal funerary culture with references to examples from the First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom.

M.Phil. thesis, University of Birmingham


Abstract
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the functions of Old Kingdom false doors, which are essential funerary equipment for the private tombs of the Egyptian elite. In previous research, two major religious roles of false doors, has been defined: firstly, as connecting doors etc; and secondly as the focus for the presentation of offerings for the deceased. By examining the types of inscriptions on the false doors and their location within the architectural structure of tombs this study will show that, in addition, Old Kingdom false doors also fulfilled roles centred on the living in their presentation of offerings and prayers to the deceased and the deceased’s ka. The textual evidence clearly indicates that the living and the dead established a relationship on the basis of the principle of do ut des, a relationship in which the false doors played a significant role.