Fishtail Knife

Unknown

ca. 3650–3300 B.C. · Flint · Egyptian Art

Blades such as this one were included in burials throughout the Predynastic Period.The cutting edge is the V-shaped notch. Although the implement's exact purpose is unknown, there is persua-sive evidence that it was used at birth to cut the umbilical cord and was placed in the grave to assist its owner's rebirth into the afterlife. A similar instrument was used throughout Egyptian history in the funerary rite known as the "Opening of the Mouth": touched to the mouth of the deceased's mummy or statue, it symboli-cally restored the individual's capability of independent existence. In addition to the implement, this model set also contains replicas of the vessels with which the newly revived spirit was of-fered milk (a baby's first source of nourishment), salt water (used for cleansing), and fresh water.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 3650–3300 B.C.

Medium

Flint

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1916