Sir John Soane's Greatest Treasure: The Sarcophagus of Seti I

Few visitors to the eclectic and unique Sir John Soane’s Museum can fail to be inspired by their star attraction, particularly if (like me) they are fortunate enough to have seen it during one of their candlelit evening openings. This beautifully illustrated volume explores the complex history of the calcite sarcophagus of Seti I, one of the most important antiquities ever found in Egypt for many different reasons. The reader is treated to an in-depth overview of the ancient and modern contexts of the sarcophagus: from its creation as the eternal resting place for the earthly remains of one of ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaohs, to the history behind its current location in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London.The sarcophagus was discovered in 1817, in the burial chamber of the tomb of Seti I in the Valley of the Kings, by the illustrious explorer Giovanni Batista Belzoni. When describing the sarcophagus, Belzoni stated that he “cannot give an adequate idea of this beautiful and invaluable piece of antiquity”. Subsequently transported to London and acquired from the collection of Henry Salt in 1824 by Sir John Soane, the sarcophagus became an instant sensation and ultimately came to influence the reception of ancient Egypt and of Egyptology as a discipline.The intricate decoration of the sarcophagus is addressed in detail by the author, who provides a useful overview of royal funerary texts of the New Kingdom before breaking down the main subject of the decorative scheme – the Book of Gates – into its constituent scenes. This provides a clear guide to the inscriptions for all visitors and allows them to follow the story in a logical way, using labelled diagrams of the sarcophagus, which is also equally useful for those enjoying the book away from the Museum.The publication of this volume will coincide with the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of Seti I, and with a new exhibition revealing the story behind the sarcophagus at the Sir John Soane's Museum (Egypt Uncovered: Belzoni and the Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I).Reviewed by ancientegyptmagazine dot com