Sketchfab models of three Ancient Egyptian Coffins at Harvard University

Created by Peter Der Manuelian and Mohamed Abdelaziz

The three mummy cases at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East belong to three Egyptians employed in Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak: Pa-di-mut, a priest and metal engraver, Ankh-khonsu, a doorkeeper and Mut-iy-iy, a singer, all from Dynasty 22 (about 945–712 BC). The mummy cases were excavated by Theodore Davis and Percy Newberry in 1901 and subsequently donated to the Museum. No bodies accompanied the coffins to America. 

The comprehensive documentation of the mummy cases was undertaken in January 2020. In addition to professional photography, measurements, pigment and residue analysis, and wood sampling, photogrammetry and 3D scanning was included in the workflow. The goal was to create interactive 3D models of the coffins, inside and out, for Sketchfab, and eventually for an interactive exhibit for the visiting public. An Artec Leo scanner was used for the scanning, and a Sony RX100 VI camera for the hundreds of photos that went into Agisoft Metashape for processing.

Photogrammetry was undertaken by Peter Der Manuelian (Director of the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East at Harvard University), the 3D modeling by Mohamed Abdelaziz (associated researcher at Indiana University Bloomington).

For a more detailed insight into this project, you can read Peter Der Manuelian’s article here.

Coffins of Pa-di-mut, Mut-iy-y, and Ankh-Khonsu (Sketchfab model created by Peter Der Manuelian and Mohamed Abdelaziz)

Coffin of Pa-di-mut (Sketchfab model created by Peter Der Manuelian and Mohamed Abdelaziz)

Coffin of Ankh-Khonsu (Sketchfab model created by Peter Der Manuelian and Mohamed Abdelaziz)

Coffin of Mut-iy-iy Khonsu (Sketchfab model created by Peter Der Manuelian and Mohamed Abdelaziz)

To see other 3D models of Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, visit their Sketchfab page.