Burial customs from the late Old Kingdom to the Twelfth Dynasty
(about 2250 - 1850 BC)

The focus of a tomb at the end of the Old Kingdom moved to the Underground chambers; as a result:

Important developments now took place in the underground burial chambers

Development of a standard coffin type
Some chambers were decorated with offering lists and friezes of objects
First Intermediate Period and early Middle Kingdom (about 2025-1700 BC) coffin interiors are painted with religious texts and friezes of objects
a small statue of the tomb owner was placed near or in the coffin
wooden models showing craftsmen; servants or ships were placed near or on the coffin
the head of the dead was covered with a mask
under the head of the dead was placed a headrest; at the feet were placed sandals
tombs have often sex specific burial goods: women are buried with jewellery, cosmetic objects and grinding stones; men are buried with weapons and status symbols
Pottery symbolised the food provision. A flat bowl (drinking bowl) and tall jar (container of liquid) are very common.
the contracted position of the body becomes less and less common

Examples of tombs

the burial of a provincial governor with wooden models and model tools	Sixth Dynasty, wooden models; statues of the tomb owner in burial shaft	First Intermediate Period, with mummy mask, headrest and standard coffin	Early Middle Kingdom, with a set of wooden models and a standard coffin	First Intermediate Period, with button seal and mirror
the burial of a woman with grinding stone, mirror and jewellery	First Intermediate Period, with button seal, mirror	First Intermediate Period, with button seal, necklace, grinding stone	First Intermediate Period, simple burial with a button seal	First Intermediate Period, with button seal, beads, grinding stone