4,000-Year-Old Handprint Discovered on Ancient Egyptian Burial Model

4,000-Year-Old Handprint Discovered on Ancient Egyptian Burial Model
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Researchers at the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, have uncovered a 4,000-year-old human handprint on the base of an ancient Egyptian burial model known as a “soul house.” The discovery was made during preparations for the museum’s upcoming exhibition, Made in Ancient Egypt, opening on 3 October 2025.

The clay soul house, dating back to approximately 2055–1650 BCE, was traditionally placed in tombs to hold food offerings for the deceased and possibly served as symbolic shelters for the soul.

Detailed analysis revealed the object was crafted using a wooden framework coated in clay, with staircases shaped by pinching the wet material. The handprint, preserved beneath the model, is believed to have been left by its maker while moving the object to dry before firing.

While faint fingerprints have occasionally been found on ancient Egyptian artifacts, researchers say a complete handprint is extremely rare. The finding offers a direct connection to the artisan behind the piece—an aspect often missing from Egyptology, which typically emphasizes rulers and elites.

The exhibition aims to spotlight the lives of ancient Egyptian craftsmen through objects, illustrations, and scientific studies, offering new insights into the individuals who created everyday and ceremonial items thousands of years ago.