Corn Mummy

3D Model

Each year, just prior to planting, the Egyptian king would bury a small image of the god Osiris - the god who was believed to have died and yet was risen from the dead. It was believed that Osiris would make the new plants grow just as he rose from the earth. Within this falcon-shaped sarcophagus, that served votive purposes at a cult center, was another image of the deity. Although appearing to be a mummified animal, the image of the deity is composed rather of clay and grain wrapped in linen. The linen on this figure is so fine – the finest quality in Egypt – that it appears like paper on the first glance. It was called Horus linen. The face was covered with thin wax and was painted green to match Osiris’ skin tone. This entire image was placed inside a small coffin and buried to ensure good crops. This coffin is in the shape of Horus, the god of kingship.

Date: 1549-1069 BCE

3D model created in RealityCapture and Blender from 68 images taken on a Canon 5D Mark III by Joshua Norman.