While excavating the tomb of Tutankhamun, an enigmatic set of objects was discovered in the Burial Chamber: four clay troughs, also known as mud trays. Originally, these clay troughs were believed to be stands for the emblems found nearby and in close association to them. However, closer examination of the religious and archaeological context of the artefacts enables another interpretation of their function. First, the author compares the four troughs from KV62 with other known examples from the Valley of the Kings, along with previous hypotheses as to the function(s). The talk continues with an analysis of the Burial Chamber’s association to Osirian funerary rites, and the long-standing traditions of funerary offerings and rites for the deceased present there. The presentation concludes with the author’s proposal that the mud trays functioned instead as libation offering basins for a funerary rite likely associated with Osiris.
Funds generated from ticket sales will directly contribute to the ongoing work of the Society. Thank you.
Journal of Egyptian Archaeology article
This lecture is based on an article entitled 'These Thy Libations, Osiris! A Reconsideration of the Four Clay Troughs from the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62)' to feature in our 2025 volume of the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology (JEA 111). It has already been published online and can be read via the OnlineFirst page of JEA website. EES members who subscribe to the JEA have access to this article and if opted in for the JEA-combo, will recieve the print version at the end of the year. Check your subscription status or join the EES today for access to the JEA!
Speaker
Dr Nicholas Brown
Booking and information
Register for your place in advance using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about your booking. If you do not receive your email, then please check your junk folders before contacting the Egypt Exploration Society. The event will be held on our Zoom platform and attendees will be able to interact by asking questions and using the chat. It is not necessary to have a working webcam or microphone for this event.
The event will be recorded and made available to attendees after the event. After a three-month embargo, the event will be made publicly available via YouTube.
Please ensure that you have read our guide to attending EES events before the event begins.
