Ba statue

Ba statue
By analogy with ancient Egyptian representations of the soul (ba bird), the name "ba statue" is given to a Meroitic statue type, coming exclusively from Lower Nubia, showing a figure standing up with opened wings on its back. No statue has been found in situ, what makes one think that they were placed outside the tomb, depicting the transfigured deceased, before whom prayers and offerings were invoked. The piece in Madrid lacks its head, and is wearing a long skirt... down to its feet.

Present location MUSEO ARQUEOLÓGICO NACIONAL [21/007] MADRID
Inventory number 1980/98/254
Dating MEROITIC PERIOD
Archaeological Site MASMAS:-NAG`GAMUS
Category STATUE
Material SANDSTONE
Technique HEWN
Height 51 cm
Width 14.3 cm
Depth 25 cm
Bibliography•PEREZ - DIE, Mª C., Egipto. Guía Didáctica del Museo Arqueológico Nacional.I, 1985, P. 61.
•PEREZ - DIE, Mª C., Egipto y Próximo Oriente, Guía General del Museo Arqueológico Nacional, 1996, P. 111.
•ALMAGRO BASCH, M., La necrópolis meroítica de Nag Gamús ( Masmás, Nubia egipcia ). Memorias de la Misión Arqueológica Española en Nubia, VIII, 1965, lám. IX.
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