Shabti: The magical ancient Egyptian servants created to work for eternity in the afterlife

The shabti (also spelled as ushabti or shawabti) were small funerary figurines that were placed in tombs among the many grave goods in Egyptian burials.

Shabti were intended to act as magical substitute servants that the deceased person thought they needed in the afterlife.

For example, when the person entered into the paradise known as the Field of Reeds, rather than having to harvest food or do manual labour himself, he simply called upon the shabti to come to life and do it for him.

In fact, the term 'shabti' translates to 'answerer', which reflects the intended purpose to answer the call to work.

The earliest shabti figurines date from the Middle Kingdom of ancient Egypt: around 2050 to 1650 BC.

However, the basic concept of using models or substitutes for the deceased in the afterlife may have originated in even earlier periods.

For example, in the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BC), small models of servants, boats, and even bakeries and breweries were included in tombs.

These primitive models could be seen as precursors to the shabti.

The use of shabti reached its peak during the Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–664 BC), when tombs could contain an entire workforce of shabti.

Some shabti were depicted holding agricultural tools, while others, known as overseer shabti, were depicted holding a whip, reflecting their role in managing the worker shabti.

Over the centuries, shabti evolved from simple, crudely fashioned figures to intricate works of art.

Early shabti, dating back to the Middle Kingdom, were often made from cheap and readily available materials such as wood, clay, or stone.

These early figures had very few decorations. They were often left entirely blank or at most, had a primitive painted face.

But, as the concept of shabti evolved, so too did their design. By the time of the New Kingdom, shabti were being made from high-quality materials such as faience (glazed ceramic), and in rare cases, precious metals like gold and silver.

The decorations became more detailed as well. The craftsmanship of the shabti reached its peak during the New Kingdom and the Third Intermediate Period.

They were intricately carved and painted, often bearing the likeness of the deceased.

The use of faience also allowed for a greater level of detail and a wider range of colors, resulting in visually striking shabti.

On a basic level, the shabti were designed to serve as proxies for the deceased, performing any labor that might be required of them in the afterlife.

According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the afterlife was a mirror of the physical world.

As a result, the deceased would need to participate in activities similar to those they performed during their earthly life, including work.

To avoid this manual labor, shabti were commissioned and placed in the tomb of the deceased.

The role of the shabti was further clarified by the 'shabti spell', a magical incantation inscribed on many shabti figurines.

This spell, taken from the Book of the Dead, was intended to animate the shabti in the afterlife.

When the deceased was called upon to work, the spell would bring the shabti to life.

The number and type of shabti in a tomb could also reflect the status and wealth of the deceased.

Some tombs of the elite contained a shabti for every day of the year.

These small figurines, often found in large numbers in tombs, provide a wealth of information about the individuals they were meant to serve and the society in which they lived.

One of the most notable discoveries of shabti was in the tomb of Tutankhamun, the boy king, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.

The tomb contained a staggering number of shabti - over 400 - made from various materials including wood, faience, and even precious metals.

Another significant discovery was in the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I, where archaeologists found beautifully crafted shabti made from alabaster.

These shabti are still considered some of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian art.

However, in the tombs of less wealthy individuals, shabti were often simpler and made from less expensive materials.

Shabti have also been found in large caches, such as the 'shabti field' discovered at the site of Abydos.

This site contained thousands of shabti, likely from many different tombs, providing a unique opportunity to study variations in shabti design and production over time.