Unveil ancient Egypt's false doors—gateways bridging the living and deceased worlds. Discover their evolution, inscriptions, and religious significance here.
Within the back of mortuary temples and tombs of ancient Egypt lies the false doors, which acted as a gateway to the underworld. The false doors were believed to be a link of communication between the worlds of the living and the dead, by which the spirit of the deceased could enter and exit from the underworld.
The family members of the deceased believed the door could be used to interact with the dead as the family of the deceased placed offerings in front of the door, so it was uncommon to find false doors located on the sides of ancient Egyptian coffins.
The false doors were developed countless times throughout history and it was used first in the external motif of the mastabas of the tombs of the high officials during the third dynasty of the old kingdom in ancient Egypt, as shown on the outer wall of Djoser Saqqara pyramid complex that date to the early dynastic period (3100 – 2156 BC), as seen on the niched palace façade motif. The use of the false doors was first noticed in the 3rd dynasty of the Old Kingdom (2700 BC –2200 BC) as seen across Sean Khui Ptah in the Teti cemetery at Saqqara, then became common and universal in the 4th through the 6th dynasties and even the style of the decoration would seem to change as images of the deceased emerged from the false door.
During the reign of Pharaohs Merenre, Pepi I, and Pepi II of the 6th dynasty, the false doors contained several changes in their artistic style across the panel’s layout, which was a key factor in dating a number of different temples and tombs. The false door between 2181 BC and 2055 BC diminished in popularity and then was replaced by a stela, which transformed into the main surface for carving many funerary inscriptions, but many false doors were able to make their way to the middle kingdom of ancient Egypt (2040 BC - 1782 BC) as seen in the Coffin of Nakhtkhnum which dates all the way to the late Dynasty (1850–1750 BCE).
During the new kingdom of Egypt (1570-1050 BC), the false door was associated with a chapel known as "The Hearing Ear" which was located in the outer wall near the back of the temple close to the sanctuary as it was believed that it would act as a direct manner of communication with the gods. After the end of the new kingdom, the popularity of the false doors diminished and was replaced by stelae; later on, the false doors became highly popular in the interiors of both houses and tombs of ancient Rome.
The false door was carved from a single block of limestone or wood. They would paint the doors with black speckles to resemble granite, and in the center of the door is a flat panel with several pairs of door jambs arranged around in order to give the illusion of depth, frames, and a passageway and carved directly above the central panel of the door is a semi-cylindrical drum.
The doors also hold many inscriptions and texts showcasing the virtues of the deceased and expressing positive wishes for the afterlife plus a series of offering formulas that were believed to allow the deceased to partake in offerings presented to the major deities in the name of the king, or in offerings presented directly to the deceased by family members. It also included a cruise for those who would harm the deceased and a blessing to anyone who would make an offering. The representations of false doors in ancient Egyptian tombs often took the form of the "Hotep" hieroglyph, portraying a loaf on a mat. The offering formula was inscribed on the deceased. These false doors featured offering tables made of stone, adorned with various depictions and decorations illustrating offerings such as beer, bread, fowl, and ox.
Depressions were intentionally crafted on these tables to receive symbolic gifts. Tomb owners went a step further by carving statues resembling themselves, placing them within the central niche of the false door. The intricate combination of hieroglyphs, offerings, and personalized statues reflected the profound cultural and religious significance attached to the afterlife in ancient Egyptian burial practices.
The art of ancient Egyptian architecture was incredibly inspired by Mesopotamian precedents, which adopted the civic architecture and the main elements of the Mesopotamian temple. Around the fourth millennium BC, this swapping of arts and ideas was part of Egypt/ Mesopotamia relations and was very effective. The marvelous Recessed niches, which were considered one of the main characteristics of Mesopotamian temple architecture, were later adopted in the inner workings of Egyptian architecture and played a role in the Mastaba tomb’s designs at the times of the 1st and 2nd dynasties in the Naqada III period (3000 BCE). It is believed that the design was transferred due to the traders and workmen of Mesopotamia in Egypt and through the designs that appeared on imported seals of Mesopotamian roots, which have behaved as a main source of Egyptian architects’ inspiration.
The origin of the false door may even extend outside the boundaries of Egypt, which comes in the shape of epic painted doors across Julius Polybius Roman Villa found in Pompeii. The false doors have been seen on the gate of the ancient Egyptian gods found in the Peru region in the Hayu Marca Mountain. It was seen in the tomb of the Augurs near Tarquinia, Lazio, Italy, which dates to around 530-520 BC, and the Tomb of the Charontes at Tarquinia in Italy. In The Hellenistic cemetery at the Al-Abd archaeological site in Alexandria, which was discovered in 2018, a false door was discovered, which is highlighted by foreign civilizations and cultures.
The False Door’s purpose was seen as a threshold between the afterlife and the realm of the dead where the spirits lived. The gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt used the false door to interact with the world of the living by delivering messages, crossing over, and receiving offerings. The false door was considered a critical architectural piece found on all the tombs and mortuary temples throughout the Old Kingdom (2700 – 2200 BC) to the New Kingdom (1570 – 1050 BC). It was considered to be the door of ka. This imaginary artistic door is a magnificent recessed niche filled with meaningful inscriptions and images where the family of the deceased can communicate with their loved ones.
Uncover the history and variety of Ancient Egyptian architecture, including pyramids and temples, and learn about their building techniques.
Read MoreIt explains why it earned the title of "The Hearing Ear" where each person had his false door, and offerings were presented on a special slab found in front of the door. The false doors acted as a main element in the tomb complex found on the western wall of the offering room of the chapel because the ancient Egyptians believed that the realm of the dead lived in the far west. The false doors can show the interaction between the dead and the living creatures, plus all the physical requirements that bonded the spiritual entities with each other, creating a bridge that connected everyone with the power of texts and funerary practices.
The side panels of the false doors are known to be covered by several inscriptions showcasing the deceased’s name and titles, which held many standardized offering formulas. These texts radiate some virtues and good deeds of the deceased and provide good positive wishes for the deceased in the afterlife. In the earliest mastabas, the formula invoked the god Anubis, such as "Htp di nswt inpw nb tA Dsr" translating to "An offering that the king gives, and Anubis Lord of sacred land". The name of God Osiris was introduced to the formula in the late 4th Dynasty or the beginning of the 5th, as seen in "Htp di nswt wsir nb Ddw" meaning "An offering that the king gives and Osiris Lord of Djedu".
Since the Old Kingdom, the offering formula has been a constant presence on the false door's lower lintel. During the Middle Kingdom, it began to appear more frequently on door jambs and panels. The formula "Htp di nswt" might be considered an abbreviation for the broader formula for food offerings, with "Htp di inpw" constituting a separate formula invoking Anubis for the deceased's well-being in the afterlife. various epithets of other gods were incorporated into offering formulas, as illustrated by "Htp di nswt ptH-skr wsir nb anx HkA Dt xnsw Hry ib wAst" denoting "A gift which the King gives, before Ptah-Sokar, Osiris, and Khonsu Lord of Thebes".
For example, the false door of Ankhires reads:
The scribe of the house of the god's documents, the stolist of Anubis, follower of the great one, follower of Tjentet, Ankhires.
The lintel reads:
His eldest son it was, the lector priest Medunefer, who made this for him.
The left and right outer jambs read:
An offering which the king and which Anubis,
who dwells in the divine tent-shrine, give for burial in the west,
having grown old most perfectly.
His eldest son it was, the lector priest Medunefer,
who acted on his behalf when he was buried in the necropolis.
The scribe of the house of the god's documents, Ankhires.
Some of the inscriptions also contain a curse that has the power to harm the deceased and provide bliss and fortune to everyone who made an honest offering. Located on the tomb of Redi-ness in Giza, which states the following texts: "Never did (I) do any evil thing against people. (As for) those who will do something against this, it shall be protected from them".. (I) have constructed this my (tomb) with my own means. It is the god who will judge (my) case along with him who does anything against it".
Throughout the museums of the world are several incredible false doors that decorate its halls and shed light on the funerary beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, plus some very important historical facts, some of which include:
But the most famous of which is the false door of Ptahshepses who was an ancient Egyptian official during the Fourth and early Fifth Dynasty that is housed in the British Museum and a smaller fragment at the Oriental Institute Museum in Chicago, both originating from his tomb. He held the significant title of a great leader of craftsmen, a role later synonymous with the High Priest of Ptah. His false door, adorned with a biographical inscription, narrates key moments in his life. Beginning from the far right, the inscription notes Ptahshepses' birth during King Menkaure's reign and his education at the royal palace. Though only Menkaure and Shepseskaf's cartouches are visible, it's surmised that he married King Userkaf's daughter, Khamaat, and likely lived until Niuserre's reign. The false door's lintel depicts the underworld god Osiris in an offering formula, a rare occurrence in Fifth Dynasty records. This portrayal sparks scholarly debate about Osiris' earliest mentions in ancient Egyptian sources. Depending on Ptahshepses' lifespan, his inscriptions could provide the earliest evidence of Osiris. However, it's also plausible that Ptahshepses passed away after Niuserre's reign.
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The false doors are found in the pyramids and the offering chamber, which acts as a gate connecting the world of the living and the dead, where the gods and the souls can cross over and receive offerings.
The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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